On the Semantics of the Relational Data Model.

@inproceedings{DBLP:conf/sigmod/SchmidS75,
  author    = {Hans Albrecht Schmid and
               J. Richard Swenson},
  editor    = {W. Frank King},
  title     = {On the Semantics of the Relational Data Model},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the 1975 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on
               Management of Data, San Jose, California, May 14-16, 1975},
  publisher = {ACM},
  year      = {1975},
  pages     = {211-223},
  ee        = {http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/500080.500110, db/conf/sigmod/SchmidS75.html},
  crossref  = {DBLP:conf/sigmod/75},
  bibsource = {DBLP, http://dblp.uni-trier.de}
}

Abstract

The relational model for data base organization introduced clearly defined basic algebraic concepts whose properties are well understood. As a consequence, questions of a semantic nature arise. Due to the mathematical nature of the relational model, these questions cannot be answered completely by it. Therefore, a data model is discussed that takes into account basic semantic properties that object types and relationships among them apparently have in the real world. The model permits a data base to be partitioned into independent object types which are natural insertion and deletion units, and associations among them. Independent object types are described by characteristics which are meaningful modification units.

This data model permits us to analyze the ideas behind the relational theory more precisely, in particular the meaning of functional dependency and normalization. Insertion-deletion rules for relations in third normal form are developed, and proposals are made to avoid some drawbacks that exist even when relations in third normal form are used as the user interface to a data base.

Copyright © 1975 by the ACM, Inc., used by permission. Permission to make digital or hard copies is granted provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or direct commercial advantage, and that copies show this notice on the first page or initial screen of a display along with the full citation.

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References

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Philip A. Bernstein, J. Richard Swenson, Dennis Tsichritzis: A Unified Approach to Functional Dependencies and Relations. SIGMOD Conference 1975: 237-245 BibTeX

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E. F. Codd: A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data Banks. Commun. ACM 13(6): 377-387(1970) BibTeX

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E. F. Codd: Further Normalization of the Data Base Relational Model. IBM Research Report, San Jose, California RJ909: (1971) BibTeX

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E. F. Codd: Normalized Data Structure: A Brief Tutorial. SIGFIDET Workshop 1971: 1-17 BibTeX

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E. F. Codd: Recent Investigations in Relational Data Base Systems. IFIP Congress 1974: 1017-1021 BibTeX

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I. J. Heath: Unacceptable File Operations in a Relational Data Base. SIGFIDET Workshop 1971: 19-33 BibTeX

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