On database systems development through logic

Abstract

The use of logic as a single tool for formalizing and implementing different aspects of database systems in a uniform manner is discussed. The discussion focuses on relational databases with deductive capabilities and very high-level querying and defining features. The computational interpretation of logic is briefly reviewed, and then several pros and cons concerning the description of data, programs, queries, and language parser in terms of logic programs are examined. The inadequacies are discussed, and it is shown that they can be overcome by the introduction of convenient extensions into logic programming. Finally, an experimental database query system with a natural language front end, implemented in PROLOG, is presented as an illustration of these concepts. A description of the latter from the user's point of view and a sample consultation session in Spanish are included.