This paper is an attempt at laying the foundations for the classification of queries on relational data bases according to their structure and their computational complexity. Using the operations of composition and fixpoints, a Z--// hierarchy of height w 2, called the fixpoint query hierarchy, is defined, and its properties investigated. The hierarchy includes most of the queries considered in the literathre including those of Codd and Aho and Ullman

Efficient methods of processing unanticipated queries are a crucial prerequisite for the success of generalized database management systems. A wide variety of approaches to improve the performance of query evaluation algorithms have been proposed: logic-based and semantic transformations, fast implementations of basic operations, and combinatorial or heuristic algorithms for generating alternative access plans and choosing among them. These methods are presented in the framework of a general query evaluation procedure using the relational calculus representation of queries. In addition, nonstandard query optimization issues such as higher level query evaluation, query optimization in distributed databases, and use of database machines are addressed. The focus, however, is on query optimization in centralized database systems.

A temporal database contains time-varying data. In a real-time database transactions have deadlines or timing constraints. In this paper we review the substantial research in these two heretofore separate research areas. We first characterize the time domain, then investigate temporal and real-time data models. We evaluate temporal and real-time query languages along several dimensions. Temporal and real-time DBMS implementation is examined. We conclude with a summary of the major accomplishments of the research to date, and list several research questions that should be addressed next. Keywords: object-oriented database, relational databases, query language, temporal data model, time-constrained database, transaction time, user-defined time, valid time 1 Introduction Time is an important aspect of all real-world phenomena. Events occur at specific points in time; objects and the relationships among objects exist over time. The ability to model this temporal dimension of the real worl...

System R is a database management system which provides a high level relational data interface. The system provides a high level of data independence by isolating the end user as much as possible from underlying storage structures. The system permits definition of a variety of relational views on common underlying data. Data control features are provided, including authorization, integrity assertions, triggered transactions, a logging and recovery subsystem, and facilities for maintaining data consistency in a shared-update environment. This paper contains a description of the overall architecture and design of the system. At the present time the system is being implemented and the design evaluated. We emphasize that System R is a vehicle for research in database architecture, and is not planned as a product.

Schema versioning is one of a number of related areas dealing with the same general problem- that of using multiple heterogeneous schemata for various database related tasks. In particular, schema versioning, and its weaker companion, schema evolution, deal with the need to retain current data and software system functionality in the face of changing database structure. Schema versioning and schema evolution offer a solution to the problem by enabling intelligent handling of any temporal mismatch between data and data structure. This survey discusses the modelling, architectural and query language issues relating to the support of evolving schemata in database systems. An indication of the future directions of schema versioning research are also given.

A multiuser database system must selectively permit users to share data, while retaining the ability to restrict data access. There must be a mechanism to provide protection and security, permitting information to be accessed only by properly authorized users. Further, when tables or restricted views of tables are created and destroyed dynamically, the granting, authentica-tion, and revocation of authorization to use them must also be dynamic. Each of these issues and their solutions in the context of the relational database management system System R are discussed. When a database user creates a table, he is fully and solely authorized to perform upon it actions such as read, insert, update, and delete. He may explicitly grant to any other user any or all of his privileges on the table. In addition he may specify that that user is authorized to further grant these privileges to still other users. The result is a directed graph of granted pri-vileges originating from the table creator. At some later time a user A may revoke some or all of the privileges which he previously granted to another user B. This action usually revokes the entire subgraph of the grants ori-ginating from A’s grant to B. It may be, however, that B will still possess the revoked privi-leges by means of a grant from another user C, and therefore some or all of B’s grants should not be revoked. This problem is discussed in detail, and an algorithm for detecting exactly which of B’s grants should be revoked is presented.

A graph-oriented object database model (GOOD) is introduced as a theoretical basis for database systems in which manipulation as well as conceptual representation of data is transparently graph-based. In the GOOD model, the scheme as well as the instance of an object database is represented by a graph, and the data manipulation is expressed by graph transformations. These graph transformations are described using five basic operations and a method construct, all with a natural semantics. The basic operations add and delete objects and edges in function of the matchings of a pattern. The expressiveness of the model in terms of object-oriented modeling and data manipulation power is investigated. Index terms: Database models, query languages, graph transformations, objectoriented databases, user interfaces. Preliminary versions of this paper were presented at the 9th ACM Symposium on Principles of Database Systems [16] and the 1990 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of D...

We consider the following problem: given a labelled directed graph G and a regular expression R, find all pairs of nodes connected by a simple path such that the concatenation of the labels along the path satisfies R. The problem is motivated by the observation that many recursive queries in relational databases can be expressed in this form, and by the implementation of a query language, G+ , based on this observation. We show that the problem is in general intractable, but present an algorithm than runs in polynomial time in the size of the graph when the regular expression and the graph are free of conflicts. We also present a class of languages whose expressions can always be evaluated in time polynomial in the size of both the graph and the expression, and characterize syntactically the expressions for such languages. Key words. Labelled directed graphs, NP-completeness, polynomial-time algorithms, regular expressions, simple paths AMS(MOS) subject classifications. 68P, 6...

ABSTRACT. The semi-join is a relational algebraic operation that selects a set of tuples in one relation that match one or more tuples of another relation on the joining domains. Semi-joins have been used as a basic ingredient in query processing strategies for a number of hardware and software database systems. However, not all queries can be solved entirely using semi-joins. In this paper the exact class of relational queries that can be solved using semi-joins is shown. It is also shown that queries outside of this class may not even be partially solvable using "short " semi-join programs. In addition, a linear-time membership test for this class is presented.

this paper is to settle the question of maximal expressiveness of query languages. This is done in two steps. First, the set of computable queries is defined. These correspond to partial recursive functions which satisfy a consistency criterion reflecting the fact that the computation is on a data base rather than, say, on a natural number