Abstract
The design of webbases, database systems for supporting Web-based applications, is currently an active area of research. In this paper, we propose a 3-year architecture for designing and implementing webbases for querying dynamic Web content(i.e., data that can only be extracted by filling out multiple forms). The lowest layer, virtual physical layer, provides navigation independence by shielding the user from the complexities associated with retrieving data from raw Web sources. Next, the traditional logical layer supports site independence. The top layer is analogous to the external schema layer in traditional databases.Within this architectural framework we address two problems unique to webbases — retrieving dynamic Web content in the virtual physical layer and querying of the external schema by the end user. The layered architecture makes it possible to automate data extraction to a much greater degree than in existing proposals. Wrappers for the virtual physical schema can be created semi-automatically, by asking the webbase designer to navigate through the sites of interest — we call this approach mapping by example. Thus, the webbase designer need not have expertise in the language that maps the physical schema to the raw Web (this should be contrasted to other approaches, which require expertise in various Web-enabled flavors of SQL). For the external schema layer, we propose a semantic extension of the universal relation interface. This interface provides powerful, yet reasonably simple, ad hoc querying capabilities for the end user compared to the currently prevailing “canned” form-based interfaces on the one hand or complex Web-enabling extensions of SQL on the other. Finally, we discuss the implementation of the proposed architecture.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.