Modeling complex structures in object-oriented logic programming

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present a type model for object-oriented databases. Most object-oriented databases only provide users with flat objects whose structure is a record of other objects. In order to have a powerful expression power, an object-oriented database should not only provide objects but also complex values recursively built using the set, tuple and disjunctive constructors. Our type model presents two notions: that of classes whose instances are objects with identity and that of types whose instances are complex values. The two notions are mixed in that an object is modeled as a pair containing an identifier and a value, and a value is a complex structure which contains objects and values. We define in this context the notions of subtyping and provide a set inclusion semantics for subtyping.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  F. Theory of Computation
  F.3 LOGICS AND MEANINGS OF PROGRAMS
      F.3.3 Studies of Program Constructs
          Subjects: Type structure

Additional Classification:
  F. Theory of Computation
  F.3 LOGICS AND MEANINGS OF PROGRAMS
  F.4 MATHEMATICAL LOGIC AND FORMAL LANGUAGES
      F.4.1 Mathematical Logic
          Subjects: Lambda calculus and related systems

  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Performance, Theory