Second-Order Signature: A Tool for Specifying Data Models, Query Processing, and Optimization

Abstract: We propose a framework for the specification of extensible database systems. A particular goal is to implement a software component for parsing and rule-based optimization that can be used with widely varying data models and query languages as well as representation and query processing systems. The key idea is to use second-order signature (and algebra), a system of two coupled many-sorted signatures, where the top-level signature offers kinds and type constructors and the bottom-level signature provides polymorphic operations over the types defined as terms of the top level. Hence the top level can be used to define a data or representation model and the bottom level to describe a query algebra or a query processing algebra. We show the applicability of this framework by examples drawn from relational modeling and query processing.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1993
• Where: SIGMOD
• Authors: Ralf Hartmut Güting
• Keywords: Database, Query Processing, Query Processing Algebra, Query Processing Systems, SIGMOD 1993