Evaluation of Natural Language Software Interfaces to Databases

Fiaz Majeed,Akber Abid Gardezi,Monagi H Alkinani,Shahzada Khurram,Muhammad Shoaib,Muhammad Shafiq,Wazir Zada Khan

doi:10.32604/iasc.2022.015488

Abstract

Relational databases are still important in modern times due to their many advantages, such as ease of interaction, simplicity and data integrity. In this regard, structured query language (SQL) and technical knowledge about database schemas are the basic building blocks for retrieving information from relational databases. Generally, non-expert users cannot skillfully write technical queries on the target database. To this end, many database natural language interfaces (NLIDB) have been developed to greatly facilitate users. However, each system provides a different interface for new users, so beginners can use different interactive modes to enter keyword-based queries. For users, migrating from one NLIDB to another is a difficult problem. To solve this problem, NLIDB needs to be standardized so that novice users can easily enter queries in their native language. This paper proposes a standardized interface for NLIDB, which considers the three quality parameters of interface, query comparison and performance. Based on these parameters, we developed a standardized interface called the keyword-based frequent search engine (FKBSE). The DBLP data set has been evaluated experimentally. The results show the effectiveness of FKBSE compared with parallel systems in terms of quality parameters.

Highlights

IntroductionStructured Query Language (SQL) is famously used to retrieve information from relational databases
Structured Query Language (SQL) is famously used to retrieve information from relational databases.Usually, novice users are not familiar with structured query language (SQL), so they lack the technical knowledge to deal with data in the database schema
This paper proposes a standardized interface for natural language interface of the database (NLIDB), which considers the three quality parameters of interface, query comparison and performance

Summary

Introduction

Structured Query Language (SQL) is famously used to retrieve information from relational databases. Novice users are not familiar with SQL, so they lack the technical knowledge to deal with data in the database schema. The natural language interface of the database (NLIDB) is used to formulate natural language queries related to user inquiries to store and retrieve information from the targeted database. The user inputs a query to NLIDB in natural language, and converts it to SQL. IASC, 2022, vol., no.1 retrieve the required information from the database and display it on the interface. Different interfaces have appeared in the literature, including menu-based, formal query language and graphical interface, but because the user’s query ability is limited, they have the risk of interface format changes [1–3]

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Conclusion