Final answer:
Option b. map associations to primary keys is not a step in using a UML class model to prepare a database, since associations typically translate into foreign keys in the database schema.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the options listed, the one that is not a step in using a Unified Modeling Language (UML) class model to prepare a database is b. map associations to primary keys. This is because in a UML class model, associations generally represent the relationships between classes, which are typically transformed into foreign keys in a database schema, not primary keys. The steps involved in transitioning from a UML class model to a database schema usually include:
- Mapping classes to tables (each class becomes a table).
- Mapping attributes to table fields (each attribute becomes a table column).
- Mapping associations to foreign keys (to maintain relationships between tables).
Therefore, the process of mapping associations to primary keys does not align with standard practices in the design of databases based on UML class models.