Degrees of Assimilation

Depending on your objectives, you can choose to carry out assimilation to these different degrees:

Assimilation as is
The existing database is preserved exactly as is. Field, format and file names remain the same. You will be able to use the files with all your existing programs without a need for change or recompilation.

This degree of assimilation, however, may lead to restrictions in certain cases, particularly if the data model implied by the existing database is incorrect or inconsistent.
Assimilation with limited modifications
The existing database is preserved but model data structures can be rationalized or corrected where appropriate. You will still be able to use most of your existing programs with only minor modifications.

You can take full advantage of CA 2E capabilities now because your files have been fully defined in the model and can be used as any other modeled files. The greater the degree of assimilation that can be achieved, the greater the use that can be made of CA 2E capabilities when generating programs.

For more information on normalization and considerations regarding normalized databases, see the chapter "Developing a Conceptual Model."