Tutorial on database research

McLeod: This tutorial surveys recent research in data abstraction and conceptual modelling in the database area. In particular, I will present recent results in the area of higher level data models, sometimes called semantic data models. The principal focus of database research has been on database management systems (DBMS's). A DBMS is a general purpose system which provides tools for logical structuring of formatted data, access interfaces, data control (protection and integrity) and efficient storage of and access to data. I would like to emphasize that results in database research, while applicable to tailored systems, e.g., an airline reservation system, are really of a general purpose nature.