IFO: a formal semantic database model

ABSTRACT

A new, formally defined database model is introduced which combines fundamental principles of "semantic" database modeling in a coherent fashion. The model provides mechanisms for representing structured objects and functional and ISA relationships between them. It is anticipated that the model can serve as the foundation for a theoretical investigation into a wide variety of fundamental issues concerning the logical representation of data in databases. Preliminary applications of the model include an efficient algorithm for computing the set of object types which can occur in a given entity set, even in the presence of a complex set of ISA relationships. The model can also be applied to precisely articulate "good" design policies.

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