Relational Database Concepts Research Articles

A role for relational databases in high energy physics software systems

This paper presents the design and initial implementation of software which uses a relational database management system for storage and retrieval of real and Monte Carlo generated events from a charm and beauty spectrometer with a vertex detector. The purpose of the software is to graphically display and interactively manipulate the events, fit tracks and vertices and calculate physics quantities. The INGRES database forms the core of the system, while the DI3000 graphics package is used to plot the events. The paper introduces relational database concepts and their applicability to high energy physics data. It also evaluates the environment provided by INGRES, particularly its usefulness in code development and its Fortran interface. Specifies of the database design we have chosen are detailed as well.

A Database-Driven VLSI Design System

We describe an effort in applying database technology to the VLSI design process. By mixing software tools, relational database concepts, sophisticated index management, and existing VLSI design tools, we have built a flexible, interactive VLSI design system that provides data independence and technology independence. Design tools are interfaced with a centralized database to form an integrated design environment.

G-exec and the world data centre

There are good reasons for establishing data centres and for using generalised software. Database management systems can be worth while, but choosing one is not easy. G-EXEC is a data management system based on relational database concepts and designed to handle scientific data. Written in highly modular Fortran, it includes an extensive range of facilities for statistical operations, graph plotting, data validation/transformation and report generation besides the usual data manipulation functions. The modernisation programme of the World Data Centre C1 for Solar-Terrestrial Physics at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory has used G-EXEC to implement databases of ionospheric and solar magnetic indices data. The emphasis is on easy user access via a network. While successful, limitations of the present serve to direct future dbms development.

Teaching relational database concepts in a university environment

A relational algebra database system written by students to be used by students is described. Its use in database management courses and as a basis for other student projects is discussed.

The management of operating system state data

A new approach is proposed for the management of operating system state data. Relational database concepts are suggested for the analysis and organization of this data, and a common central service routine is described whichcould manage all shared state data. This central routine is based on the techniques currently employed by database management systems.