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A Database Array Algebra for Spatio-Temporal Data and Beyond

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Next Generation Information Technologies and Systems (NGITS 1999)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 1649))

Abstract

Recently multidimensional arrays have received considerable attention among the database community, applications ranging from GIS to OLAP. Work on the formalization of arrays frequently focuses on mapping sparse arrays to ROLAP schemata. Database modeling of further array types, such as image data, is done differently and with less rigid methods. A unifying formal framework for general array handling of image, sensor, statistics, and OLAP data is missing.

We present a cross-dimensional and application-independent algebra for the high-level treatment of arbitrary arrays. An array constructor, a generalized aggregate, plus a multidimensional sorter allow to declaratively manipulate arrays. This algebra forms the conceptual basis of a domain-independent array DBMS, RasDaMan, which offers an SQL-based query language with extensive algebraic query and storage optimization. The system is in practical use in neuro science.

We introduce the algebra and show how the operators transform to the array query language. The universality of our approach is demonstrated by a number of examples from imaging, statistics, and OLAP.

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Authors
  1. Peter Baumann
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Matam - Advanced Technology Center, IBM Research Laboratory in Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel

    Ron Y. Pinter

  2. SurroMed, Inc., 1060 East Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, USA

    Shalom Tsur

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© 1999 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Baumann, P. (1999). A Database Array Algebra for Spatio-Temporal Data and Beyond. In: Pinter, R.Y., Tsur, S. (eds) Next Generation Information Technologies and Systems. NGITS 1999. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1649. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-48521-X_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-48521-X_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-66225-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-48521-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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