Database Lexicography

This paper introduces database lexicography, a metadata analysis discipline that applies lexical graph theory to data design. Database lexicography proposes a formal design criterion for data dependencies, and it provides metrics to evaluate the conformance of designs to this criterion. It treats the data dictionary as a first class object encoding design concepts, and its benefits include identification of database dependency architecture; quantification of interdependent data elements' sensitivity to change; categorization of core and peripheral data elements; model integration; and figures of merit by which to fortify data architectures to withstand design fossilization and guide their evolution amidst changing requirements.