Querying and Managing Complex Data

Abstract

Advances in models, algorithms and computing power enabled complex network research to be applied in several areas. From social sciences to the internet, from microscopic to macroscopic phenomena, from natural to man-made networks, network analysis have expanded its application scenarios to most areas of human activity. Although research in complex networks has generated tools that cover a wide range of topics, the analysis is still largely restricted to experts and done in ad-hoc settings. Our goal is to develop data querying and management mechanisms for complex networks. We are defining and developing the Complex Data Management System (CDMS), which is intended to provide database-like means to interact with complex networks. Our current query model is based on ranking clauses defined over a Spreading Activation (SA) processing model. SA allows us to compose metrics that can capture several aspects of the dynamics of the underlying network.