Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A simple query language based on set algebra

  • Part I Computer Science
  • Published:
BIT Numerical Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A design process for a query language based on set algebra is described. Key principles used in the design are: make explicit assumptions about the end users background, delimit the scope of the language, and make it simple by omitting all features that have not been found necessary. The language closely mirrors concepts well known from algebra and set theory: it contains no join or relational division, and it has a high expressive power.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S. Arnborg, E. Elvers and P. Svensson,Design specifications for Datalab — system for data analysis based on the relational model of data, FOA report C 20326, October 1979.

  2. M. Lacroix and A. Pirotte,Example queries in relational languages, Technical note N 107, M.B.L.E., Brussels, January 1976, revised April 1978.

  3. P. Medema,PICULA, a database query language, Philips ISA report IDR/AP/PM/780622, June 1978.

  4. Thomas,Psychological issues in data base management, Proceedings of 4th International VLDB Conference, Berlin 1978.

  5. N. Wirth,The programming language Pascal, Acta Informatica 1(1) (1971), 35–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. J. Welsh, W. J. Sneeringer and C. A. R. Hoare,Ambiguities and insecurities in Pascal, Software — Practice and Experience 7 (1977), 685–696.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Numerical Analysis and Computing Science, Royal Institute of Technology, S-10044, Stockholm 70, Sweden

    Stefan Arnborg

Authors
  1. Stefan Arnborg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arnborg, S. A simple query language based on set algebra. BIT 20, 265–278 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01932769

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01932769

Keywords

Search

Navigation