Nonprocedural query processing for databases with access paths

Abstract

The use of "rules of inference" in database systems with access paths--e.g., CODASYL and IMS databases--is proposed to allow nonprocedural querying of the database systems. The kinds of access paths for which these rules of inference are required are isolated. It is shown that the rules of inference required for a CODASYL or an IMS database depend on the configurations of the edges in a diagram of the database.