“Conceptualizing Relationships in a Relational Database of Chinese Buddhism: Nuts and Bolts in the BGIS Project at the University of Arizona”
Jiang Wu, University of Arizona

Conceptualization of various relationships embedded within intricate historical data is an important step towards a functioning and expandable relational database of Chinese Buddhism. In this initial process, a designer must consider the following questions: What are the basic relationships and how to represent/recreate them in a database? Are there any “hidden relationships” actually dominating the potential database? How to discern “one-to-many” and “many to many” relationships? How to rationalize ID numbers for various records in order to allow cross-referencing and advanced search? How to make the database design expandable in the future? Based on our experience in building the BGIS project, we will present some reflections on issues surrounding conceptualization. Our conclusion is that conceptualization must be based on a thorough study of source materials that display various configurations of relationships complicated by historical changes.