I recently read an article A Few Thoughts on Data Modeling and Kids'
Soccer - An Interview with William G. Smith
<http://www.wilshireconferences.com/interviews/smith.htm> .  In this
article Mr. Smith advocates a 3-schema architecture for data modeling,
i.e., Conceptual, Logical, and Physical data models.  I understand that
this architecture has been a popular approach by information architects
in the late 80's to early 90's, under the banner of Data or Information
Resource Management (DRM or IRM).
 
It seems to me that, other than the Conceptual data model, the Logical
and Physical data models no longer directly apply to the XML approach of
data modeling (e.g., using the W3C XML Schema).  For example, Mr. Smith
talks about a 3NF logical data model, which only applies when one is
taking a strictly 'relational' approach.  So, I was wondering if there
is a parallel sets of data models in the XML-based data modeling world.
 
Based on my (limited) understanding of the purpose and techniques
mentioned in the article, I would say that an XML schema would
correspond to the logical data model, and an XML binding (to a
particular database or programming language) would correspond to the
physical data model.  In addition, transformation or mapping between
logical and physical data models could be implemented by adopting a
standard such as SQL/XML.
 
Could anyone on this list help me to gain a understanding on this issue?
 
 
Thanks,



Scott Tsao 
Associate Technical Fellow 
The Boeing Company