Fuzzy querying with SQL: Fuzzy view-based approach

Abstract

Nowadays several works have been proposed that allow users to perform fuzzy queries on relational databases. But most of these systems based on an additional software layer to translate a fuzzy query and a supplementary layer of a classic database management system (DBMS) to evaluate fuzzy predicates, which induces an important overhead. They are not also easy to implement by a non-expert user. Here we have proposed a simple and intelligent approach to extend the SQL language to allow us to write flexible conditions in our queries without the need for translation. The main idea is to use a view to manipulate the satisfaction degrees related to user-defined fuzzy predicates, instead of calculating them at runtime employing user functions embedded in the query. Consequently, the response time of executing a fuzzy query statement will be reduced. This approach allows us to easily integrate most fuzzy request characters such as fuzzy modifiers, fuzzy quantifiers, fuzzy joins, etc. Moreover, we present a user-friendly interface to make it easy to use fuzzy linguistic values in all clauses of a select statement. The main contribution of this paper is to accelerate the execution of fuzzy query statements.