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A graphical interpretation of dependency structures in relational data bases

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Abstract

The designer of a relational data base must use dependency structures of data to model semantic situations that arise in data. He must further ensure that these dependencies are not violated during operations on the data base. In this paper we study a subclass of dependencies, namely, root-dependencies and introduce a common graphical picture (S-diagram) for all of them. This effort offers a possible application of graph theory to the study of relational data bases. The S-diagram offers a pictorial insight to all the root-dependencies. We also discuss, briefly, other possible uses of our work such as automatic constraint checking and recovery of data in a damaged data base.

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Arora, S.K., Smith, K.C. A graphical interpretation of dependency structures in relational data bases. International Journal of Computer and Information Sciences 10, 187–213 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00996830

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