Abstract
A complete design and specification of database transactions must include both structural and behavioural properties. Structure deals with states and static properties while behaviour concerns state transitions and dynamic properties. Database design techniques emphasize the importance of behaviour but seldom provide for modelling and integrating behaviour and structure.
This chapter presents concepts, tools, and techniques for the design and specification of behavioural and structural properties of database transactions. The concepts, tools, and techniques result from the integration of programming language (PL) and database (DB) technologies. Design principles from PLs (e.g., abstraction and refinement), are applied to DB design and a new DB design principle, called localization, is proposed. PL concepts such as procedural abstractions, abstract data types, control structures, and specification techniques are integrated with DB concepts such as data abstractions, integrity constraints, data structures, and data models to produce a semantic data model for the conceptual design of databases and their associated transactions. The integration is based on the correspondence between the structure of complex databases and the structure of the associated transactions. In the proposed methodology, hierarchies of transactions and their constituent actions are designed in correspondence with the hierarchies designed to relate objects. As proposed in both artificial intelligence and PLs, design and specification are leveled. Gross design is done using graphic notation while detailed design is done using a conventional predicate based specification language. Appropriate concepts, tools, and techniques are presented for each level. The methodology is adequate for most database applications. However, complex and critical database applications (e.g., critical patient care, nuclear power plants) require precise, structured specifications. An appropriate formal specification technique, based on functional programming, is introduced. Formal specifications support increased precision and permit automated analysis and verification. The motivation for this work is similar to that for precise specifications in PLs. However, the existence of a database changes the nature of the problem and the required solution.
The relationship between this chapter and other chapters is presented in a concluding Epilogue.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Burstall, R.M., J.A. Gougen, “The Semantics of CLEAR: A Specification Language,”Proc. Copenhagen Winter School on Abstract Software Specification, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1980.
Bayer, R., H. Healer, A. Reiser, “Parallelism and Recovery in Database Systems,”ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Vol. 5, No. 2, June 1980.
Biorner, D., C.B. Jones,The Vienna Development Method, Springer- Verlag, New York, 1978.
Brodie, M.L., “The Application of Data Types to Database Semantic Integrity,”Information Systems, Vol. 5, No. 4, 1980.
Brodie, M.L., “Association: A Database Abstraction for Semantic Modelling,”Proc. 2nd International Entity-Relationship Conference, Washington, D.C., October 1981.
Brodie, M.L., “Axiomatic Definitions for Data Model Semantics,”Information Systems, Vol. 7, No. 2, 1982.
Brodie, M.L., E.O. Silva, “Active and Passive Component Modelling: ACM/PCM,” in [OSV82], pp. 41–91.
Codd, E.F., “Extending the Database Relational Model to Capture More Meaning,”ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Vol. 4, No. 4, December 1979, pp. 397–434; IBM Research Report RJ2599, San Jose, Calif., August 1979.
Dijkstra, E.W.,A Discipline of Programming, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1976.
Guttag, J.V., J.J. Horning, “The Algebraic Specification of Abstract Data Types,”Acta Informatica, Vol. 10, 1978, pp. 27–52.
Hammer, M., D. McLeod, “Database Description with SDM: A Semantic Database Model,”ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Vol. 6, No. 3, September 1981.
Hoare, C.A.R., N. Wirth, “An Axiomatic Definition of the Programming Language PASCAL,”Acta Informatica, Vol. 2, No. 4, 1973, pp. 335–355.
Linger, R.C., H.D. Mills, B.I. Witt, Structured Programming Theory and Practice, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1979.
Mylopoulos, J., P.A. Bernstein, H.K.T. along, “A Language Facility for Designing Interactive Database-Intensive Applications,” ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Vol. 5, No. 2, June 1980, pp. 185–207.
McLeod, D., J.M. Smith, “Abstraction in Databases,” in [BZ81].
Ridjanovic, D., M.L. Brodie, “Semantic Data Model-Driven Design, Specification and Verification of Interactive Database Transactions,” Computer Corporation of America, Cambridge, Mass., April 1982.
Ridjanovic, D., M.L. Brodie, “Defining Database Dynamics with Attribute Grammars,” Information Processing Letters, Vol. 14, No. 3, May 1982.
Ridjanovic, D., M.L. Brodie, “Definition of Fundamental Concepts and Tools for Semantic Modelling of Data and Associated Operations,” submitted for publication.
Ridjanovic, D., M.L. Brodie, “Disciplined Methodology for Database Transaction Design,” submitted for publication.
Ridjanovic, D., M.L. Brodie, “Functional Specification and Implementation Verification of Database Transactions,” submitted for publication.
Ridjanovic, D., M. L. Brodie, “Conceptual Modelling of Office Procedures,” submitted for publication.
Schmidt, J.W., “Some High Level Language Constructs for Data of Type Relation,” ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Vol. 2, No. 3, September 1977.
Smith, J. M., D.C.P. Smith, “Database Abstractions: Aggregation and Generalization,” ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Vol. 2, No. 2, June 1977, pp. 105–133
Sunagren, B., “Database Design in Theory and Practice,” Proc. 4th International Conference on Very Large Databases, West Berlin, September 1978.
Wirsing, M., M. Bray, “An Analysis of Semantic Models for Algebraic Specifications,” International Summer School on the Theoretical Foundations of Programming Methodology, Marktoberdorf, 1981.
Wirsing, M., “Structured Algebraic Specifications,” Proc. AFCET Symposium for Computer Science, Paris, France, March 1982.
Wirsing, M., P. Pepper, H. Partsch, W. Dosch, M. Broy, “On Hierarchies of Abstract Data Types,” Acta Informatica, 1983 (to appear).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1984 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Brodie, M.L., Ridjanovic, D. (1984). On the Design and Specification of Database Transactions. In: Brodie, M.L., Mylopoulos, J., Schmidt, J.W. (eds) On Conceptual Modelling. Topics in Information Systems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5196-5_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5196-5_10
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9732-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-5196-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive