Office form definition and processing using a relational data model

Abstract

Office forms have a particular structure and semantics that make them a suitable communication medium. The Natural Forms Query Language, NFQL, capitalizes on these features of ordinary forms to provide a communication language between human beings and the computer. Given a form, NFQL analyzes it to deduce plausible interpretations and then generates database queries and function specifications applicable to the form. This paper explains how NFQL recognizes computational relationships between arguments and results and formulates function specifications. General rules are given, in terms of a relational data model, that can resolve computational relationships for ordinary forms.