N-Tier Soft Set Data Model: An Approach to Combine the Logicality of SQL and the Flexibility of NoSQL

Abstract

To process a huge amount of data, computing resources need to be organized in clusters that can be scaled out easily. Still, traditional SQL databases built on the relational data model are difficult to be put to use in such clusters, which has motivated the movement named NoSQL. However, NoSQL databases have their limits by using their own data models. In this paper, the original soft set theory is extended, and a new theory system called n-tier soft set is brought up. We systematically constructed its concepts, definitions, and operations, establishing it as a novel soft set algebra. And some features of this algebra display its natural advantages as a data model which could combine the logicality of the SQL model (also known as the relational model) and the flexibility of NoSQL models. This data model provides a unified and normative perspective logic for organizing and manipulating data, combines metadata (semantic) and data to form a self-described structure, and combines index and data to realize fast locating and correlating.