Data physics - an unorthodox view of data and its implications in data processors

ABSTRACT

It is an appropriate time to step back and examine the foundations of our field - to determine how the various approaches and fragmentary principles fit together. The approach that we currently call “data physics” has this as its objective. While our work clearly is based on that of others in the field, our concepts may seem unusual to the practitioner. We propose a broad and esoteric view of the universe of information - a view that must jibe with the everyday world of libraries and databases, but which may ultimately be stated in terms quite different from those that the practitioner normally uses. We undertake four tasks in this paper: to define the data physics approach, to state the important issues, to propose a model of the information universe, and to discuss the implications of this model.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human information processing

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.4 Systems
          Subjects: Relational databases
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.3 Information Search and Retrieval
          Subjects: Query formulation

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management