An extended algebra for constraint databases

Constraint relational databases use constraints to both model and query data. A constraint relation contains a finite set of generalized tuples. Each generalized tuple is represented by a conjunction of constraints on a given logical theory and, depending on the logical theory and the specific conjunction of constraints, it may possibly represent an infinite set of relational tuples. For their characteristics, constraint databases are well suited to model multidimensional and structured data, like spatial and temporal data. The definition of an algebra for constraint relational databases is important in order to make constraint databases a practical technology. We extend the previously defined constraint algebra (called generalized relational algebra). First, we show that the relational model is not the only possible semantic reference model for constraint relational databases and we show how constraint relations can be interpreted under the nested relational model. Then, we introduce two distinct classes of constraint algebras, one based on the relational algebra, and one based on the nested relational algebra, and we present an algebra of the latter type. The algebra is proved equivalent to the generalized relational algebra when input relations are modified by introducing generalized tuple identifiers. However, from a user point of view, it is more suitable. Thus, the difference existing between such algebras is similar to the difference existing between the relational algebra and the nested relational algebra, dealing with only one level of nesting. We also show how external functions can be added to the proposed algebra     

Ultrawrap: SPARQL execution on relational data

The Semantic Web’s promise of web-wide data integration requires the inclusion of legacy relational databases,¹ i.e. the execution of SPARQL queries on RDF representation of the legacy relational data. We explore a hypothesis: existing commercial relational databases already subsume the algorithms and optimizations needed to support effective SPARQL execution on existing relationally stored data. The experiment is embodied in a system, Ultrawrap, that encodes a logical representation of the database as an RDF graph using SQL views and a simple syntactic translation of SPARQL queries to SQL queries on those views. Thus, in the course of executing a SPARQL query, the SQL optimizer uses the SQL views that represent a mapping of relational data to RDF, and optimizes its execution. In contrast, related research is predicated on incorporating optimizing transforms as part of the SPARQL to SQL translation, and/or executing some of the queries outside the underlying SQL environment.Ultrawrap is evaluated using two existing benchmark suites that derive their RDF data from relational data through a Relational Database to RDF (RDB2RDF) Direct Mapping and repeated for each of the three major relational database management systems. Empirical analysis reveals two existing relational query optimizations that, if applied to the SQL produced from a simple syntactic translations of SPARQL queries (with bound predicate arguments) to SQL, consistently yield query execution time that is comparable to that of SQL queries written directly for the relational representation of the data. The analysis further reveals the two optimizations are not uniquely required to achieve a successful wrapper system. The evidence suggests effective wrappers will be those that are designed to complement the optimizer of the target database.     

Performance evaluation of the object-relational transformation methodology

The emergence of the object-oriented (OO) methodology has shown its capabilities in modelling the real world better than the earlier relational methodology. However, object-oriented databases (OODBs) are still considered immature in comparison with relational databases (RDBs) which have existed for many years. RDBs still continue to dominate the implementation of databases constituting more than 90% of all database implementations [28]. It was felt worthwhile to exploit the great modelling power of OO methodology, while still facilitating relational implementations. These reasons have led us to develop an object-relational transformation methodology [20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25] which allows us to use the OO methodology for data modelling and to transform it into a relational logical model for implementation in relational database management systems (RDBMSs). The main purpose of this paper is to present a performance evaluation of the transformation methodology. The evaluation covers I/O cost models of different types of queries. The type of evaluation is basically comparison-based, in which the performance of SQL operations upon a set of tables derived from the relational data model is compared with the tables derived from the OO data model using the transformation methodology. The results of the evaluation show that the performance of the RDB implementation transferred from an OO conceptual model using our object-relational transformation methodology is better than the relational implementation using a conventional relational modelling. Moreover, in many cases, the relational modelling is not applicable since it cannot capture the design semantics particularly relating to collection types. Our object-relational methodology solves this problem.     

A conceptual database design approach based on rules and heuristics

Conceptual and logical database design are complex tasks for non-expert designers. Currently, the popular data models for conceptual and logical database design are the entity–relationship (ER) and the relational model, respectively. Logical design methodologies for relational databases have relied on mathematically rigorous approaches which are impractical, or textbook approaches which do not provide the rich constructs to capture real applications. Consequently, designers have to use their intuition to develop their own rules and heuristics. There is a need, therefore, to develop practical rules and heuristics that can be used to handle the complexity of design in real applications. This paper proposes a realistic and detailed approach for conceptual design using the ER model for relational databases. The approach is based on four rules that specify the order in which various types of relationships must be modelled, three rules that pertain to detection of derived relationships, and three heuristics based on observation of constructs in real applications. The approach is illustrated by many examples.     

Watermarking Relational Databases Using Optimization-Based Techniques

Proving ownership rights on outsourced relational databases is a crucial issue in today's internet-based application environments and in many content distribution applications. In this paper, we present a mechanism for proof of ownership based on the secure embedding of a robust imperceptible watermark in relational data. We formulate the watermarking of relational databases as a constrained optimization problem and discuss efficient techniques to solve the optimization problem and to handle the constraints. Our watermarking technique is resilient to watermark synchronization errors because it uses a partitioning approach that does not require marker tuples. Our approach overcomes a major weakness in previously proposed watermarking techniques. Watermark decoding is based on a threshold-based technique characterized by an optimal threshold that minimizes the probability of decoding errors. We implemented a proof of concept implementation of our watermarking technique and showed by experimental results that our technique is resilient to tuple deletion, alteration, and insertion attacks.     

Précis: from unstructured keywords as queries to structured databases as answers

Précis queries represent a novel way of accessing data, which combines ideas and techniques from the fields of databases and information retrieval. They are free-form, keyword-based, queries on top of relational databases that generate entire multi-relation databases, which are logical subsets of the original ones. A logical subset contains not only items directly related to the given query keywords but also items implicitly related to them in various ways, with the purpose of providing to the user much greater insight into the original data. In this paper, we lay the foundations for the concept of logical database subsets that are generated from précis queries under a generalized perspective that removes several restrictions of previous work. In particular, we extend the semantics of précis queries considering that they may contain multiple terms combined through the AND, OR, and NOT operators. On the basis of these extended semantics, we define the concept of a logical database subset, we identify the one that is most relevant to a given query, and we provide algorithms for its generation. Finally, we present an extensive set of experimental results that demonstrate the efficiency and benefits of our approach.     

Fuzzy rough set techniques for uncertainty processing in a relational database

This paper concerns the modeling of imprecision, vagueness, and uncertainty in databases through an extension of the relational model of data: the fuzzy rough relational database, an approach which uses both fuzzy set and rough set theories for knowledge representation of imprecise data in a relational database model. The fuzzy rough relational database is formally defined, along with a fuzzy rough relational algebra for querying. Comparisons of theoretical properties of operators in this model with those in the standard relational model are discussed. An example application is used to illustrate other aspects of this model, including a fuzzy entity–relationship type diagram for database design, a fuzzy rough data definition language, and an SQL‐like query language supportive of the fuzzy rough relational database model. This example also illustrates the ease of use of the fuzzy rough relational database, which often produces results that are better than those of conventional databases since it more accurately models the uncertainty of real‐world enterprises than do conventional databases through the use of indiscernibility and fuzzy membership values. ©2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Methodology and intermediate layer for the automatic creation of ontology instances stored in relational databases

In this paper, we introduce our solution for mapping local ontologies to relational and object‐oriented representations. This solution is part of the GeoNis framework for the interoperability of geo‐information systems applications in a local community environment. The GeoNis framework is based on a hybrid ontology approach for data integration. Therefore, a very important subject in our research on semantic data integration is the creation of mapping between a spatial information source and its local ontology. We developed the OWL2RDB mapping language to create an intermediate layer between a relational database and the OWL ontology. This intermediate layer contains rules (expressed in the OWL2RDB language) for mapping between the structural elements of a relational database and the concepts of OWL ontologies. We also present a system that uses the OWL2RDB intermediate layer to create classes that can handle ontology instances stored in relational databases. We have developed a prototype for a tool that uses this proposed approach for the automatic generation of translator/wrapper components in the GeoNis interoperability environment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An associative accelerator for large databases

The RAPID-1 (relational access processor for intelligent data), an associative accelerator that recognizes tuples and logical formulas, is presented. It evaluates logical formulas instantiated by the current tuple, or record, and operates on whole relations or on hashing buckets. RAPID- 1 uses a reduced instruction set and hardwired control and executes all comparisons in a bit-parallel mode. It speeds up the database by a significant factor and will adapt to future generations of microprocessors. The principal design issues, data structures, instruction set, architecture, environments and performance are discussed     

Handling indefinite and maybe information in logical fuzzy relational databases

In this article, fuzzy set theory uses an extension of the classical logical relational database model. A logical fuzzy relational database model was developed with the aim of manipulating imprecise information and adding deduction capabilities to the database system. The essence of this work is the detailed discussion on fuzzy definite, fuzzy indefinite, and fuzzy maybe information and the development of an information theoretical approach of query evaluation on the logical fuzzy relational database. We define redundancies among fuzzy tuples and the operator of their removal. A complete set of fuzzy relational operations in relational algebra and the calculus of linguistically quantified propositions are included also. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

网格环境下的数据库访问和集成

为了集成网格环境中的数据库资源,促进网格应用支持现有数据库的访问,提出一种基于服务的数据库访问和集成系统(GridDBAdmin)。GridDBAdmin为用户提供了虚拟的全局逻辑数据库视图,支持用户使用现有的SQL语言同时访问多个数据库。系统由元数据服务和网格虚拟数据库服务构成。其中元数据服务负责发现含有用户所需数据的数据库,网格虚拟数据库服务提供全局逻辑视图,通过分布式查询机制将用户的SQL请求分解到具体的数据库中并进行结果合并。对基于Globus和OGSA-DAI工具包开发的原型系统进行了测试,得到了较好的结果。     

次协调数据库中的域关系演算

次协调数据库的数据模型是用来处理数据库中两类不确定信息,即不完全信息和不一致信息(矛盾信息)。关系演算语言是表达关系数据模型中的数据操作的一种方式。域关系演算是以域为变量进行的关系演算。文中提出了一种4值的域关系演算来查询次协调数据库,它的语法与普通关系上的2值域关系演算相似,但是这种新的4值语义能够有效的查询不完全信息和不一致信息。这为次协调数据库中的类SQL语言及实现提供了理论依据,进而为次协调数据库的应用打下坚实基础。     

ArchIS: an XML-based approach to transaction-time temporal database systems

Effective support for temporal applications by database systems represents an important technical objective that is difficult to achieve since it requires an integrated solution for several problems, including (i) expressive temporal representations and data models, (ii) powerful languages for temporal queries and snapshot queries, (iii) indexing, clustering and query optimization techniques for managing temporal information efficiently, and (iv) architectures that bring together the different pieces of enabling technology into a robust system. In this paper, we present the ArchIS system that achieves these objectives by supporting a temporally grouped data model on top of RDBMS. ArchIS’ architecture uses (a) XML to support temporally grouped (virtual) representations of the database history, (b) XQuery to express powerful temporal queries on such views, (c) temporal clustering and indexing techniques for managing the actual historical data in a relational database, and (d) SQL/XML for executing the queries on the XML views as equivalent queries on the relational database. The performance studies presented in the paper show that ArchIS is quite effective at storing and retrieving under complex query conditions the transaction-time history of relational databases, and can also assure excellent storage efficiency by providing compression as an option. This approach achieves full-functionality transaction-time databases without requiring temporal extensions in XML or database standards, and provides critical support to emerging application areas such as RFID.     

FREDDI: A fuzzy RElational deductive database interface

This paper shows an architecture for Deductive Fuzzy RDBMS which integrates two approaches of fuzzy databases: the relational and the logical ones. It uses the first one to represent and manipulate imprecise information and the second one to obtain intensional information. Besides, it shows how it is possible to use the resources offered by a conventional RDBMS together with a deduction module to build a complete DFRDBMS capable of handling queries of imprecise and/or deductive nature. This task is carried out using an extension of SQL language. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

数据库设计工具集DBTOOLS的设计

本文介绍的数据库设计工具集DBTOOLS包括扩充的E—R模型设计工具EERD、从E—R模型到关系模型转换工具ERTR、从DFD、DD到关系模型转换工具DDTR,DBTOOLS以自动转换和人工干预相结合的方式工作,提供对关系数据库概念结构设计和逻辑结构设计的支持,DBTOOLS的设计中强调语义信息的描述和运用,以及对数据库应用系统增量开发的支持。     

A relational algebraic approach to protocol verification

Communications protocols are usually modeled by a pair of finite-state machines that generate the interaction between processes. Protocol verification is a procedure to validate the logical correctness of these interaction sequences and to detect potential design errors. A relational approach is proposed to represent a finite-state machine as a transition table. On this basis, the well-established theory of relational databases can be utilized to derive the global-state transitions of the system. Furthermore, logical errors of a protocol such as deadlocks, incomplete specifications and nonexecutable interactions can be formulated in terms of relational algebra. This approach has been implemented on the INGRES database system and applied to the verification of several protocols     

O—O数据模型中实体联系的表达方法

具有对实体和实体间联系的描述能力，是数据库的基本，吼是对数据库进逻辑设计的基本出发点。Ｏ－Ｏ数据模型不具备显式描术这实体联系的手段。且优于关系模型。     

Relational similarity-based model of data part 1: foundations and query systems

We present a general rank-aware model of data which supports handling of similarity in relational databases. The model is based on the assumption that in many cases it is desirable to replace equalities on values in data tables by similarity relations expressing degrees to which the values are similar. In this context, we study various phenomena which emerge in the model, including similarity-based queries and similarity-based data dependencies. Central notion in our model is that of a ranked data table over domains with similarities which is our counterpart to the notion of relation on relation scheme from the classical relational model. Compared to other approaches which cover related problems, we do not propose a similarity-based or ranking module on top of the classical relational model. Instead, we generalize the very core of the model by replacing the classical, two-valued logic upon which the classical model is built by a more general logic involving a scale of truth degrees that, in addition to the classical truth degrees 0 and 1, contains intermediate truth degrees. While the classical truth degrees 0 and 1 represent nonequality and equality of values, and subsequently mismatch and match of queries, the intermediate truth degrees in the new model represent similarity of values and partial match of queries. Moreover, the truth functions of many-valued logical connectives in the new model serve to aggregate degrees of similarity. The presented approach is conceptually clean, logically sound, and retains most properties of the classical model while enabling us to employ new types of queries and data dependencies. Most importantly, similarity is not handled in an ad hoc way or by putting a “similarity module” atop the classical model in our approach. Rather, it is consistently viewed as a notion that generalizes and replaces equality in the very core of the relational model. We present fundamentals of the formal model and two equivalent query systems which are analogues of the classical relational algebra and domain relational calculus with range declarations. In the sequel to this paper, we deal with similarity-based dependencies.     

Rule-based spreadsheet data transformation from arbitrary to relational tables

The paper discusses issues of rule-based data transformation from arbitrary spreadsheet tables to a canonical (relational) form. We present a novel table object model and rule-based language for table analysis and interpretation. The model is intended to represent a physical (cellular) and logical (semantic) structure of an arbitrary table in the transformation process. The language allows drawing up this process as consecutive steps of table understanding, i. e. recovering implicit semantics. Both are implemented in our tool for spreadsheet data canonicalization. The presented case study demonstrates the use of the tool for developing a task-specific rule-set to convert data from arbitrary tables of the same genre (government statistical websites) to flat file databases. The performance evaluation confirms the applicability of the implemented rule-set in accomplishing the stated objectives of the application.     

具有多时间粒度的时态多值依赖及时态模式分解方法研究

一个好的数据库逻辑设计目标是消除数据冗余以及插入、删除和更新异常.对于时态数据库,通过具有多时间粒度的时态函数依赖约束对时态数据库进行规范化已有大量研究.基于时态函数依赖和多值依赖理论提出了多时间粒度约束的时态多值依赖(TMVD)等概念,并给出了时态多值依赖的推理规则,对其有效性、完备性进行了证明.由于包含有限个TMVD的TMVD集通常蕴含着无限个TMVD,给出了TMVD的有限推理规则,对其有效性、完备性进行了证明.最后,基于时态多值依赖集提出了时态第四范式,并给出了时态模式的T4NF的无损分解算法,对算法的可终止性、正确性进行了证明,并对时间复杂度进行了分析.