Time in Data Models

Time is an essential dimension of our perception of the world and hence an important dimension for the representation of the real and social world in data models. We give an overview of the basics of representing time in data models and representing objects and processes with respect to the temporal dimension. In particular, we discuss basic concepts and novel developments in the areas of representing time, snapshot data models versus temporal versioning of data models, time-related storage of data in databases, temporal data warehouses and databases, schema evolution, and the representation and checking of temporal integrity constraints.