A distributed scientific data archive using the Web, XML and SQL/MED

ABSTRACT

We have developed a web-based architecture and user interface for fast storage, searching and retrieval of large, distributed, files resulting from scientific simulations. We demonstrate that the new DATALINK type defined in the draft SQL Management of External Data Standard can help to overcome problems associated with limited bandwidth when trying to archive large files using the web. We also show that separating the user interface specification from the user interface processing can provide a number of advantages. We provide a tool to generate automatically a default user interface specification, in the form of an XML document, for a given database. This facilitates deployment of our system by users with little web or database development experience. The XML document can be customised to change the appearance of the interface.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.4 Systems
          Subjects: Distributed databases

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Web-based interaction

  J. Computer Applications

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Performance, Theory