The information meta model of SAIF emphasizes the data structure of objects, expressed through an object oriented paradigm. Objects are considered as instances of types (classes) which follow a user extensible hierarchy. Three broad kinds of associations are recognized: (i), generalization (or generalization / specialization), dealing with supertype and subtype relationships; (ii), aggregation, concerned with objects as assemblies of components represented by other objects; and (iii), simple associations between objects.
Each object is unique and may be referenced through an object identifier. An object is characterized by the class to which it belongs, the values for any inherited attributes, and the values for any explicitly stated attributes. A class is defined through a given name, specification of one or more supertypes, and provision of zero or more attribute - domain pairs, where the domain provides the set of possible values for the attribute. SAIF does not address methods, messages, or behaviour. Conceptually, the meta model underlies both the data model and modelling techniques.