Validation of queries to a relational database

This thesis addresses the problem of preventing users of a data base system from interrogating it with query language expressions which are syntactically and semantically valid but which do not match the user's intentions. A method of assisting users of a relational data base to formulate query language expressions which are valid representations of the abstract query which the user wishes to put is developed. The central focus of the thesis is a method of communicating the critical aspects of the semantics of the relation which would be generated in response to a user's proposed operations on the data base. Certain classes of user error which can arise when using a relational algebra query system are identified, and a method of demonstrating their invalidity is demonstrated. This is achieved by representing via a graph the consequences of operations on relations. Also developed are techniques allowing the generation of pseudo-natural language text describing the relations which would be created as the result of the user's proposed query language operations. A method of allowing the creators of data base relations to incorporate informative semantic data about their relations is developed. A method of permitting this data to be modified by query language operations is specified. Pragmatic linguistic considerations which arise when this data is used to generate pseudo-natural language statements are addressed, and examples of the system's use are given.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Thames Polytechnic

Year dc:date.issued

1986

Author dc:creator

• Hainline, Douglas Ray

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Crowe, Tom
• Johnson, Roger

• QA76 Computer software
• TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering

Language dc:language

en