Experimental analysis of database query languages

The increasing prominence of large interactive database systems and the increasing numbers of non-computer professionals who use these systems have made human factors in query languages an area of major importance. Whereas early systems emphasized the power and efficiency of the retrieval mechanism, it is now generally acknowledged that the query language itself should be easy to learn and use, resistant to user errors, and satisfying to the user. Many also believe that query languages can and should be subjected to controlled experimentation to determine the degree to which they embody these features. This paper attempts to analyze the issue of language syntax as applied to human factors in relational query languages. It proposes three query languages which are designed to represent points along a continuum from formal, artificial language to natural language. The importance of scientific testing of relevant hypotheses is emphasized throughout, and experimental guidelines are proposed as a means of evaluating the languages. The purpose of the paper is twofold: to develop design principles for the empirical investigation of query languages, and to apply these principles to the evaluation of specific languages.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science and Applications

Department dc:contributor.department

Computer Science and Applications

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1983

Author dc:creator

• Fritchman, Barry Lynn

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/111004

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/111004