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Taxonomy-based relaxation of query answering in relational databases

Taxonomy-based relaxation of query answering in relational databases Traditional information search in which queries are posed against a known and rigid schema over a structured database is shifting toward a Web scenario in which exposed schemas are vague or absent and data come from heterogeneous sources. In this framework, query answering cannot be precise and needs to be relaxed, with the goal of matching user requests with accessible data. In this paper, we propose a logical model and a class of abstract query languages as a foundation for querying relational data sets with vague schemas. Our approach relies on the availability of taxonomies, that is, simple classifications of terms arranged in a hierarchical structure. The model is a natural extension of the relational model in which data domains are organized in hierarchies, according to different levels of generalization between terms. We first propose a conservative extension of the relational algebra for this model in which special operators allow the specification of relaxed queries over vaguely structured information. We also study equivalence and rewriting properties of the algebra that can be used for query optimization. We then illustrate a logic-based query language that can provide a basis for expressing relaxed queries in a declarative way. We finally investigate the expressive power of the proposed query languages and the independence of the taxonomy in this context. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The VLDB Journal Springer Journals

Taxonomy-based relaxation of query answering in relational databases

The VLDB Journal , Volume 23 (5) – Oct 1, 2014

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References (43)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Subject
Computer Science; Database Management
ISSN
1066-8888
eISSN
0949-877X
DOI
10.1007/s00778-013-0350-x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Traditional information search in which queries are posed against a known and rigid schema over a structured database is shifting toward a Web scenario in which exposed schemas are vague or absent and data come from heterogeneous sources. In this framework, query answering cannot be precise and needs to be relaxed, with the goal of matching user requests with accessible data. In this paper, we propose a logical model and a class of abstract query languages as a foundation for querying relational data sets with vague schemas. Our approach relies on the availability of taxonomies, that is, simple classifications of terms arranged in a hierarchical structure. The model is a natural extension of the relational model in which data domains are organized in hierarchies, according to different levels of generalization between terms. We first propose a conservative extension of the relational algebra for this model in which special operators allow the specification of relaxed queries over vaguely structured information. We also study equivalence and rewriting properties of the algebra that can be used for query optimization. We then illustrate a logic-based query language that can provide a basis for expressing relaxed queries in a declarative way. We finally investigate the expressive power of the proposed query languages and the independence of the taxonomy in this context.

Journal

The VLDB JournalSpringer Journals

Published: Oct 1, 2014

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