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An informal and efficient approach for obtaining semantic constraints using sample data and natural language processing

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Semantics in Databases (SiD 1995)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 1358))

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Abstract

The main objective of database modelling is the design of a database that is correct and can be processed efficiently by a database management system. The efficiency and correctness of a database depends among other things on knowledge about database semantics because semantic constraints are the prerequisite for normalization and restructuring operations. Acquisition of semantic constraints remains one of the bottlenecks in database design because for most database designers formal definition of semantic constraints is a very difficult task.

Within the framework of the project RADD (Rapid Application and Database Development) experience was gathered with the informal modelling of database structures.

In this paper we show an approach for the acquisition of semantic constraints which is informal, easy to understand and efficient. This method uses natural language input, sample data and a discussion of sample relations to find out semantic constraints of a database.

This work is supported by DFG Th465/2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Rostock, Germany

    Meike Albrecht, Edith Buchholz & Antje Düsterhöft

  2. Department of Computer Science, Cottbus Technical University, Germany

    Bernhard Thalheim

Authors
  1. Meike Albrecht
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  2. Edith Buchholz
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  3. Antje Düsterhöft
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  4. Bernhard Thalheim
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Bernhard Thalheim Leonid Libkin

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© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Albrecht, M., Buchholz, E., Düsterhöft, A., Thalheim, B. (1998). An informal and efficient approach for obtaining semantic constraints using sample data and natural language processing. In: Thalheim, B., Libkin, L. (eds) Semantics in Databases. SiD 1995. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1358. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0035003

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0035003

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-64199-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-69700-8

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