An approach to Stored Data Definition and Translation

ABSTRACT

The CODASYL Stored Data Definition and Translation Task Group has for the past two years been investigating the major components necessary in a language for data translation. Data translation is defined as the process whereby data that can be processed on one computer (the source file) can be translated into a form (the target file) which can be used by the same or a different processing system on a possibly different computer. Two languages are necessary—a Stored Data Definition Language to characterize the logical structure and physical realization of the source and target files, and a Translation Definition Language for defining how target file data instances are to be derived from source file data instances. This report discusses major components of each language and provides sample statements in terms of an example data translation from a COBOL file to a NIPS/360 file.

REFERENCES

• 1: CODASYL Systems Committee, Feature Analysis of Generalized Data Base Management Systems, ACM, New York, 1971.
• 2: Engles, R., A Tutorial on Data-Base Organization, IBM Technical Report, TR 00.2004, Poughkeepsie, New York, 1970.
• 3: French, A., Ramirez, J., Solow, H. and Prywes, N.S., Design of the Data Description Language Processor, University of Pennsylvania—Moore School of Electrical Engineering Technical Report, 1971.
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.3 Languages
          Subjects: Data description languages (DDL)

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.5 Heterogeneous Databases

General Terms:
Languages, Management