View specification and manipulation for a semantic data model

摘要

Semantic data models are increasing in popularity and use, but they are also becoming increasingly complex and difficult to manage. In this paper we extend the definition of a semantic data model to give users the power to specify and manipulate views. Our model supports both high-level object-class views and high-level relationship-set views. To define these views, we extend the traditional method of view definition (through query formulation) to also include view definition by a dominant object class, by an independent object class, and by a relational object class. A set of operators to specify and manipulate views is also defined. These operators allow a user to create and destroy views, implode and explode views, hide and expose semantic-model elements. We also provide algorithms to extract an instance graph for a high-level object in a semantic-model view and to transform a semantic-model view hierarchy into an equivalent atomic model. Implications and applications of views in our model are also discussed.