I currently reside with my family in Edwardsville, Illinois, USA, and am a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
I was born September 11, 1948, raised in St. Charles, Missouri, USA, and graduated from Immanuel Lutheran Grade School and St. Charles High School.
I earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in 1970 and 1971, respectively, from the University of Missouri at Rolla (now the Missouri University of Science and Technology) and a Ph.D. degree in 1992 from Florida State University. All degrees were in Computer Science. I have worked in software R & D for Burroughs/ Unisys Corporation in Detroit, Michigan and Orange County, CA (1971-80 and 1985-87) and as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Chapman University (1980-85) and as a Professor of Computer Science at Florida A&M University (1988-2000).
My research interests include data modeling and definition, object databases, software engineering, and user interfaces.
I am creator of ORN, the Object Relationship Notation. ORN is a simple notation that can be used to describe a large variety of association types that occur in the real-world and thus in computerized databases. It can be included in data models and database definition languages to improve the development of database systems. Two papers about ORN can be accessed by clicking the "Selected Papers on ORN" link to the left. Much more information is available on ORN in a book I wrote entitled Object Relationship Notation (ORN) for Database Applications: Enhancing the Modeling and Implementation of Associations (click on the "A Book on Relationships and ORN" link). You can gain hands-on practice using ORN by executing the ORN Simulator modeling tool (click on "ORN Simulator").
I have developed a software tool that adds ORN to Microsoft's SQL Server. This is ORN Additive. Its user's guide is available by clicking on the "ORN Additive User's Guide" link, and the tool itself can be downloaded by clicking on the "Download Software" link.
I have also developed a software tool that adds ORN to Progress Software's ObjectStore. This is Object Relater Plus (OR+). Its user's guides are available by clicking on "OR+ ODDL User's Guide" and "OR+ ODML User's Guide," and the tool itself can be downloaded by clicking on "Download Software."
For leisure, I enjoy exercising, sports, music, travel, and contemplating issues in religion, philosophy, politics, science, and life in general. I believe true a philosophical statement made by a not too famous actress in a not so famous movie:
"...almost the whole world is asleep...only a few people are awake, and they live in a state of constant total amazement." -Joe Versus the Volcano
I believe I am one of the awake and hope you are too.
In real life I can be reached by mail, phone, fax, and e-mail:
Dr. Bryon K. Ehlmann
Computer Science Department
Box 1656
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026
Phone: (618)650-3348
Fax: (618)650-2555
behlman@siue.edu