Complex-Prolog: A logic database language for handling complex objects

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4379(89)90026-4Get rights and content

Abstract

The logic language paradigm represents a natural extension of relational databases. However, one of its limitations is the lack of suitable data abstraction mechanisms for modeling complex objects. This paper describes Complex-Prolog, a logic database language that provides facilities for data abstraction, notably, the notions of object identity, class and inheritance. This language was designed as an attempt to integrate concepts from logic programming and semantic data models. A formal definition of Complex-Prolog, interspersed with a number of examples, is given. The paper concludes with a description of its implementation.

References (24)

  • E.F. Codd

    Extending the database relational model to capture more meaning

    ACM Trans. Database Syst.

    (1979)
  • C. Zaniolo

    The database language GEM

  • P.P. Chen

    The Entity-Relationship model—toward a unified view of data

    ACM Trans. Data base syst.

    (1976)
  • J.M. Smith et al.

    Database abstractions: aggregation and generalization

    ACM Trans. Database Syst.

    (1977)
  • M. Hammer et al.

    Database description with SDM: a semantic database model

    ACM Trans. Database Syst.

    (1981)
  • M. Brodie et al.

    On integrating logic programming and Databases

  • C.L. Chang et al.

    PROSQL: a Prolog programming interface with SQL/DS

  • H. Gallaire et al.

    Logic and Data Bases

    (1978)
  • H. Gallaire et al.

    Logic and database: a deductive approach

    Computg Surv.

    (1984)
  • J.W. Lloyd

    Foundation of Logic Programming

    (1984)
  • J.W. Lloyd et al.

    A basis for deductive database system

    J. Logic Programming

    (1985)
  • D.S. Parker

    Logic programming and databases

  • Cited by (2)

    This research was supported by grants from Societa' Italiana per l'Esercizio delle Telecomunicazioni.

    View full text