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The CWM metamodel has as its base an Object Model based on a version of the UML metamodel in which those aspects that are
not relevant in a data warehouse scenario have been removed. The CWM metamodel is built on top of and extends this Object
Model.
Many of the core UML object types and associations are reflected by the CWM Object Model. Wherever appropriate, Object Model
types are subtyped to provide more specific object types in the CWM metamodel, normally with additional attributes or associations.
All CWM object types are direct or indirect subtypes of appropriate Object Model types, and so inherit their attributes and
associations.
This approach has many advantages. It allows the CWM specification to capitalize on the substantial investment in developing
and refining the UML metamodel. The general awareness of UML concepts should aid understanding of the CWM specification and
its base Object Model. It also enables easy inclusion of UML models as part of the data warehouse metadata.