The Set Model for Database and Information Systems (ACM Press)

This book presents a new approach to the design of software for database and information systems, based on the Set Model of Data. In contrast with the familiar Relational Model, the Set Model offers several prospective advantages. * It closes the "semantic gap" between general-purpose high-level languages and database query languages. * It facilitates program/data independence, since any program can work with the data of any other program. * It lends itself well to parallel and distributed processing of information. The author gives a clear account of the Set Model and its advantages for data manipulation. He also introduces the Starset programming language based on the same model and compares it with present-day object-oriented languages being used in database design. Gilula concludes by considering the design of distributed database systems using the Set Model. Features * Innovative approach to Database and Information Systems Modelling and design, contrasted with the Relational Model. * Presents the Set Model and the Starset programming language, and compares these to object-oriented approaches to database design. * Includes coverage of distributed database design.