Metagraphs

Graph-theoretic constructs are widely used in the modeling and analysis of systems. However, most existing constructs are not suitable for the analysis of systems where relationships between sets of elements have to be represented and manipulated. Such relationships occur commonly in the specification of modules in information systems and decision support systems. This paper describes a new graph-theoretic construct, a metagraph, which has been developed for precisely such problems. The paper shows that metagraph representation can provide both insight into the structure of a system through graphical visualization, as well as a basis for analysis of system structure and behavior in terms of formal properties of the construct.