基于模型检测的半结构化数据查询

在Web迅猛发展和半结构化数据急剧膨胀的今天,Web上的半结构化数据查询日益成为信息技术领域一个重要的研究发展方向。现有的半结构化查询语言在查询效率上存在着不足。文章提出了一个将模型检测技术应用到半结构化数据查询的新方法,它通过把数据库看作Kripke状态变迁系统,把查询解释为时序逻辑CTL公式,将查询过程转化为模型对公式的满足问题,通过模型检测过程高效地完成数据查询,从而使查询可以在多项式时间内完成,很好地改善了查询效率。最后,给出了该方法在现有半结构化查询语言Lorel上的应用。     

An abstraction-refinement framework for trigger querying

Trigger querying is the problem of finding, given a system M and an LTL formula φ, the set of scenarios that trigger φ in M; that is, the language L of finite computations of M such that all infinite computations that have a prefix in L continue with a suffix that satisfies φ. Trigger querying significantly extends query checking, which seeks propositional solutions, and is an extremely useful methodology for system exploration and understanding. The weakness of trigger querying lies in the fact that the size of the solution is linear in the size of the system. For trigger querying to become feasible in practice, we must offer solutions to cope with systems of big, and possibly infinite, state spaces. In this paper we describe an abstraction-refinement framework for trigger querying. Instead of reasoning about the system M, we reason about an abstraction of it and return to the user two languages that under- and over-approximate the language L of computations that trigger φ in M. We describe an automata-theoretic approach for refining and reducing the gap between the approximations and show how, unlike classical counterexample-based refinement approaches, here it is possible to symbolically handle batches of counterexamples. We show that our framework is robust and can be applied also for classical query checking as well as variants and extensions of trigger querying.     

Weighted path queries on semistructured databases

Path queries have been extensively used to query semistructured data, such as the Web and XML documents. In this paper we introduce weighted path queries, an extension of path queries enabling several classes of optimization problems (such as the computation of shortest paths) to be easily expressed. Weighted path queries are based on the notion of weighted regular expression, i.e., a regular expression whose symbols are associated to a weight. We characterize the problem of answering weighted path queries and provide an algorithm for computing their answer. We also show how weighted path queries can be effectively embedded into query languages for XML data to express in a simple and compact form several meaningful research problems.     

Summary SQL — A fuzzy tool for data mining

The increasing use of computers for transactions and communication have created mountains of data that contain potentially valuable knowledge. To search for this knowledge we have to develop a new generation of tools, which have the ability of flexible querying and intelligent searching. In this paper we will introduce an extension of a fuzzy query language called Summary SQL which can be used for knowledge discovery and data mining. We show how it can be used to search for fuzzy rules.     

Reachability and connectivity queries in constraint databases

It is known that standard query languages for constraint databases lack the power to express connectivity properties. Such properties are important in the context of geographical databases, where one naturally wishes to ask queries about connectivity (What are the connected components of a given set?) or reachability (Is there a path from A to B that lies entirely in a given region?). No existing constraint query languages that allow closed-form evaluation can express these properties. In the first part of the paper, we show that, in principle, there is no obstacle to getting closed languages that can express connectivity and reachability queries. In fact, we show that adding any topological property to standard languages like FO+Lin and FO+Poly results in a closed language. In the second part of the paper, we look for tractable closed languages for expressing reachability and connectivity queries. We introduce path logic, which allows one to state properties of paths with respect to given regions. We show that it is closed, has polynomial time data complexity for linear and polynomial constraints, and can express a large number of reachability properties beyond simple connectivity. Query evaluation in the logic involves obtaining a discrete abstraction of a continuous path, and model-checking of temporal formulae on the discrete structure.     

一种用于存储与查询半结构化数据的新方法

由于半结构化数据缺乏模式信息,因而半结构化数据的存储与查询将是一个十分重要且具有挑战性的研究课题。利用关系数据库存储半结构化数据可以重用数据库的查询优化器和事务处理机制,能够保证半结构化数据的一致性和完整性。该文提出一种实现半结构化数据存储与查询的新方法,该方法使用关系数据库系统来实现半结构化数据的存储与查询。给出了把基于半结构化数据的查询重写为基于关系的查询的算法,同时介绍一个可视化查询程序。     

A representation independent language for planar spatial databases with Euclidean distance

Linear constraint databases and query languages are appropriate for spatial database applications. Not only is the data model suitable for representing a large portion of spatial data such as in GIS systems, but there also exist efficient algorithms for the core operations in the query languages. An important limitation of linear constraints, however, is that they cannot model constructs such as Euclidean distance; extending such languages to include such constructs, without obtaining the full power of polynomial constraints has proven to be quite difficult.One approach to this problem, by Kuijpers, Kuper, Paredaens, and Vandeurzen, used the notion of Euclidean constructions with ruler and compass as the basis for a first order query language. While their language had the desired expressive power, the semantics are not really natural, due to its use of an ad hoc encoding. In this paper, we define a language over a similar class of databases, with more natural semantics. We show that this language captures a natural subclass, the representation independent queries of the first order language of Kuijpers, Kuper, Paredaens, and Vandeurzen.     

DVQ: Towards Visual Query Processing of XML Database Systems

XML has been recognized as a promising language for data exchange over the Internet. A number of query languages have been proposed for querying XML data. Most of those languages are path-expression based. One difficulty in forming path-expression based queries is that users have to know the structure of XML data against which the queries were issued. In this paper, we describe a DTD-driven visual query interface for XML database systems. With such an interface, a user can easily form path-expression based queries by clicking elements in the DTD tree displayed on the screen and supplying conditions if necessary. The interface and the query generation process are described in detail.     

A constraint-based approach to shape management in multimedia databases

Shape management is an important functionality in multimedia databases. Shape information can be used in both image acquisition and image retrieval. Several approaches have been proposed to deal with shape representation and matching. Among them, the data-driven approach supports searches for shapes based on indexing techniques. Unfortunately, efficient data-driven approaches are often defined only for specific types of shape. This is not sufficient in contexts in which arbitrary shapes should be represented. Constraint databases use mathematical theories to finitely represent infinite sets of relational tuples. They have been proved to be very useful in modeling spatial objects. In this paper, we apply constraint-based data models to the problem of shape management in multimedia databases. We first present the constraint model and some constraint languages. Then, we show how constraints can be used to model general shapes. The use of a constraint language as an internal specification and execution language for querying shapes is also discussed. Finally, we show how a constraint database system can be used to efficiently retrieve shapes, retaining the advantages of the already defined approaches.     

KGDB:统一模型和语言的知识图谱数据库管理系统

知识图谱是人工智能的重要基石,其目前主要有RDF图和属性图两种数据模型,在这两种数据模型之上有数种查询语言.RDF图上的查询语言为SPARQL,属性图上的查询语言主要为Cypher.10年来,各个社区开发了分别针对RDF图和属性图的不同数据管理方法,不统一的数据模型和查询语言限制了知识图谱的更广泛应用.KGDB(kno...     

Model checking LTL with regular valuations for pushdown systems

Recent works have proposed pushdown systems as a tool for analyzing programs with (recursive) procedures, and the model-checking problem for LTL has received special attention. However, all these works impose a strong restriction on the possible valuations of atomic propositions: whether a configuration of the pushdown system satisfies an atomic proposition or not can only depend on the current control state of the pushdown automaton and on its topmost stack symbol. In this paper we consider LTL with regular valuations: the set of configurations satisfying an atomic proposition can be an arbitrary regular language. The model-checking problem is solved via two different techniques, with an eye on efficiency. The resulting algorithms are polynomial in certain measures of the problem which are usually small, but can be exponential in the size of the problem instance. However, we show that this exponential blowup is inevitable. The extension to regular valuations allows to model problems in different areas; for instance, we show an application to the analysis of systems with checkpoints. We claim that our model-checking algorithms provide a general, unifying and efficient framework for solving them.     

Managing semistructured data with FLORID: A deductive object-oriented perspective

The closely related research areas management of semistructured data and languages for querying the Web have recently attracted a lot of interest. We argue that languages supporting deduction and object-orientation (dood languages) are particularly suited in this context: Object-orientation provides a flexible common data model for combining information from heterogeneous sources and for handling partial information. Techniques for navigating in object-oriented databases can be applied to semistructured databases as well, since the latter may be viewed as (very simple) instances of the former. Deductive rules provide a powerful framework for expressing complex queries in a high-level, declarative programming style.

We elaborate on the management of semistructured data and show how reachability queries involving general path expressions and the extraction of data paths in the presence of cyclic data can be handled. We then propose a formal model for querying structure and contents of Web data and present its declarative semantics. A main advantage of our approach is that it brings together the above-mentioned issues in a unified, formal framework and—using the system—supports rapid prototyping and experimenting with all these features. Concrete examples illustrate the concise and elegant programming style supported by and substantiate the above-mentioned claims.     

一个XML的数据模型及其存储策略

XML是用于数据表示、交换的Internet标准。通过和DTD的连接可以用像XML－QL这样的语言来执行丰富的查询操作。近年来,很多人致力于半结构化数据模型和其查询语言的研究^[1,2,5],其重点逐渐转移到XML数据集的查询上来,其中两个重要问题是使XML查询语言正规化和如何将XML数据转换为底层存储格式以获得理想的效率^[4]。表述了一个XML的正规数据模型及其代数方法,并介绍基于RDBMS实现该模型的方法。     

Ordering and Path Constraints over Semistructured Data

Constraints are a valuable tool for managing information. Feature constraints have been used for describing records in constraint programming (Aït-Kaci and Podelski, 1993; Smolka and Treinen, 1994) and record like structures in computational linguistics (Kaplan and Bresnan, 1982; Shieber, 1986). In this paper, we consider how constraint-based technology can be used to query and reason about semistructured data. The constraint system FT (Müller et al., 1997) provides information ordering constraints interpreted over feature trees. Here, we show how a generalization of FT combined with path constraints can be used to formally represent, state constraints, and reason about semistructured data. The constraint languages we propose provide possibilities to straightforwardly capture, for example, what it means for a tree to be a subtree or subsumed by another, or what it means for two paths to be divergent. We establish a logical semantics for our constraints thanks to axiom schemes presenting our first-order theory constraint system. We propose using the constraint systems for querying semistructured data.     

Integrating document and data retrieval based on XML

For querying structured and semistructured data, data retrieval and document retrieval are two valuable and complementary techniques that have not yet been fully integrated. In this paper, we introduce integrated information retrieval (IIR), an XML-based retrieval approach that closes this gap. We introduce the syntax and semantics of an extension of the XQuery language called XQuery/IR. The extended language realizes IIR and thereby allows users to formulate new kinds of queries by nesting ranked document retrieval and precise data retrieval queries. Furthermore, we detail index structures and efficient query processing approaches for implementing XQuery/IR. Based on a new identification scheme for nodes in node-labeled tree structures, the extended index structures require only a fraction of the space of comparable index structures that only support data retrieval.     

Rule-based composite event queries: the language XChangeEQ and its semantics

Web systems, Web services, and Web-based publish/subscribe systems communicate events as XML messages and in many cases, require composite event detection: it is not sufficient to react to single event messages, but events have to be considered in relation to other events that are received over time. This entails a need for expressive, high-level languages for querying composite events. Emphasizing language design and formal semantics, we describe the rule-based composite event query language XChange^EQ. XChange^EQ is designed to completely cover and integrate the four complementary querying dimensions: event data, event composition, temporal relationships, and event accumulation. Semantics are provided as a model theory with accompanying fixpoint theory, an approach that is established for rule languages but has not been applied to event queries so far. Because they are highly declarative, thus easy to understand and well suited for query optimization, such semantics are desirable for event queries.     

半结构化查询重写的MiniCon算法

研究了基于半结构化数据查询语言TSL(tree specification language)的查询重写问题.提出了一种半结构化查询重写算法,解决了在给定一个半结构化查询和一组半结构化视图的情况下,找到最大被包含重写的问题.算法借用了可伸缩的关系查询重写的MiniCon算法的思想,解决了半结构化数据模型之下查询重写的一些新问题(如标识符依赖、集合值变量映射等).证明了算法的正确性.     

Aggregate Operators in Constraint Query Languages

We investigate the problem of how to extend constraint query languages with aggregate operators. We deal with standard relational aggregation, and also with aggregates specific to spatial data, such as volume. We study several approaches, including the addition of a new class of approximate aggregate operators which allow an error tolerance in the computation. We show how techniques of M. Karpinski and A. Macintyre (in “Structures in Logic and Computer Science: A Selection of Essays in Honor of A. Ehrenfeucht,” Springer Lecture Notes on Computer Science 1261, pp. 162–173, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1997) and P. Koiran (in “FOCS '95,” pp. 134–141) based on VC-dimension can be used to give languages with approximation operators, but also show that these languages have a number of shortcomings. We then give a set of results showing that it is impossible to get constraint-based languages that admit definable aggregation operators, both for exact operators and for approximate ones. These results are quite robust, in that they show that closure under aggregation is problematic even when the class of functions permitted in constraints is expanded. This motivates a different approach to the aggregation problem. We introduce a language FO+Poly+Sum, which permits standard discrete aggregation operators to be applied to the outputs of range-restricted constraint queries. We show that this language has a number of attractive closure and expressivity properties, and that it can compute volumes of linear-constraint databases.