Understanding the Concept of a “Middle Element” in Information Relationships

Imagine you have two pieces of information, like a requirement for a product (let’s call it a “Requirement”) and the product itself (an “Object”). You might want to show how the requirement connects to the product—this is a simple relationship. But sometimes, this relationship needs extra details or context to make the connection more meaningful. This is where the concept of a “middle element” comes into play.

What is a Middle Element?

A middle element is a special piece of information that sits between two other pieces of information, providing more clarity about their relationship. It doesn’t just say, “these two are connected”; it helps explain how or why they are connected.

An Example

Let’s say you want to verify that a specific requirement is met by a product. In this case, the middle element could be something called “Verification.” Instead of directly linking the “Requirement” to the “Object” (the product), we introduce “Verification” as a bridge. This middle element carries extra details, like the result of the verification process. Now, the relationship is richer because we know not just that the requirement and product are linked, but that there’s a verification process between them, and we can even include more information about how that verification was done or the outcome.

Another Example

Consider two objects that need to work together. Instead of just saying “Object A” is connected to “Object B,” you can use a middle element called “Interface.” This element explains how the two objects interact or communicate with each other. So, “Interface” becomes the bridge, carrying details about how the connection works.

Adding More Information to the Middle Element

Just like other pieces of information, middle elements can be enriched with additional properties. For example, the “Verification” middle element might have a property like “Result” that specifies whether the verification was successful or not. Similarly, you can also define relationships between the middle element and other types of information. For instance, you might say, “Verification” is connected to a “Method” that explains how the verification was done.

Why Is This Important?

Using middle elements helps make relationships between pieces of information more detailed and meaningful. Instead of a simple connection, you can add context, explanations, and results, which provides a fuller picture of how different pieces of information are related.

In summary, a middle element is like an enhanced connection between two pieces of information. It enriches relationships by adding important details that can clarify or explain the link between two elements. Whether you’re verifying a requirement or showing how two objects interact, middle elements make the relationship clearer and more informative.

An example in our training: