Skip to main content
Log in

The Theory of SML Schema-Directed Query

  • Published:
Annals of Operations Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

SML is a modeling language for the structured modeling framework, which represents the semantics as well as the mathematical structure of a model. This paper uses an SML approach to improve the object based universal relation data model. By this approach, both the relational structure of a database and the objects in relations are automatically derived by the associated SML schema. The interpretation part of an SML schema allows users to easily learn the meanings of the data before performing universal relation queries; the queries are then computed by using the automatically derived objects. With a goal of making queries simpler, this paper presents theories, table naming conventions, a confirmation approach, and a unified example illustrating many different concepts. It helps lay the foundation for the eventual development of a remarkably easy user interface for ad hoc query in computer-based modeling systems. We are hopeful that the results may in the future contribute to real applications in databases as well as in management science/operations research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. P. Atzeni and S. Parker, Assumptions in relational database theory, in: Proceedings ACM Symposium on Principles of Database Systems, Los Angeles, CA (May 29-31, 1982) (New York, 1982) pp. 1-9.

  2. A. Bharadwaj, J. Choonineh, A. Lo and B. Shetty, Model management systems: A survey, Annals of Operations Research 38 (1993) 17–67.

    Google Scholar 

  3. H.K. Bhargava and S. Kimbrough, Model management: An embedded language approach, Decision Support Systems 10 (1993) 277–299.

    Google Scholar 

  4. H.K. Bhargava and R. Krishnan, The world wide web: Opportunities for operations research and management science, INFORMS Journals of Computing 10(4) (1998) 359–383.

    Google Scholar 

  5. R.W. Blanning, Model management systems: An overview, Decision Support Systems 9 (1993) 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  6. G. Bradley and A.H. Buss, Dynamic, distributed, platform independent OR/MS applications-A network perspective, INFORMS Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 384–387.

    Google Scholar 

  7. A.M. Chang, C. Holsapple and A.Whinston, Model management issue and directions, Decision Support Systems 9 (1993) 19–37.

    Google Scholar 

  8. S. Chari, Knowledge representation using structured modeling, Ph.D. thesis, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1988).

  9. P.P.S. Chen, The entity-relationship model: Towards a unified view of data, ACM Trans. Database Systems 1(1) (1976) 9–36.

    Google Scholar 

  10. E.F. Codd, A relational model of data for large shared databanks, Communications of the ACM 13(6) (1970).

  11. E.F. Codd, Universal relation fails to replace relation model, IEEE Software (June 1988).

  12. C.K. Farn, An integrated information system architecture based on structured modeling, Ph.D. thesis, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1985).

  13. R. Fourer, Database structures for mathematical programming models, Decision Support Systems 20 (1997) 317–344.

    Google Scholar 

  14. R. Fourer, Predictions for web technologies in optimization, INFORMS Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 388–389.

    Google Scholar 

  15. A.M. Geoffrion, An introduction to structured modeling, Management Science 33(5) (1987) 547–588.

    Google Scholar 

  16. A.M. Geoffrion, The formal aspects of structured modeling, Operations Research 37(1) (1989) 30–51.

    Google Scholar 

  17. A.M. Geoffrion, SML: A model definition language for structured modeling, Working Paper 360, Western Management Science Institute, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1990).

  18. A.M. Geoffrion, FW/SM: A prototype structured modeling environment, Management Science 37(12) (1991) 1513–1538.

    Google Scholar 

  19. A.M. Geoffrion, The SML language for structured modeling: Levels 1 and 2, Operations Research 40(1) (1992) 38–57.

    Google Scholar 

  20. A.M. Geoffrion, The SML language for structured modeling: Levels 3 and 4, Operations Research 40(1) (1992) 58–75.

    Google Scholar 

  21. A.M. Geoffrion, Structured modeling: Survey and future research directions, ORSA CSTS Newsletter15(1) (994).

  22. A.M. Geoffrion, Structured modeling, in: Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science, eds. S.I. Gass and C.M. Harris (Kluwer Academic, 1996).

  23. A.M. Geoffrion, A new horizon for OR/MS, INFORMS Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 390–392.

    Google Scholar 

  24. D. Greenblatt and J. Waxman, A study of three database query languages, in: Database: Improving Usability and Responsiveness, ed. B. Schneiderman (American Press, New York, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  25. C. Harvey and J. Browne, A model management approach to manufacturing systems design, International Journal of flexible Manufacturing Systems 8(2) (1996) 103–130.

    Google Scholar 

  26. S.-Y. Huh and Q.B. Chuang, A model management framework for heterogeneous algebraic models: Object-oriented database management systems approach, Omega 23(3) (1995) 235–256.

    Google Scholar 

  27. M. Kang, G.P.Wright, R. Chandrasekharan, R. Mookerjee and N.D.Worobetz, The design and implementation of OR/SM: A prototype integrated modeling environment, Annals of Operations Research 72 (1997) 211–240.

    Google Scholar 

  28. W. Kent, Consequences of assuming a universal relation, ACM Transactions on Database Systems 6(4) (1981) 539–556.

    Google Scholar 

  29. W. Kent, William Kent's reply to the universal relation revisited, ACM Transactions on Database Systems 8(4) (1983) 644–648.

    Google Scholar 

  30. H. Korth et al., System/U: A database system based on the universal-relation assumption, ACMTrans. Database Systems (September 1984) 331-349.

  31. R. Krishnan, Model management: Survey, future directions and a bibliography, ORSA CSTS Newsletter 14(1) (1993) 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  32. J. Ma, Type and inheritance theory for model management, Decision Support Systems 19(1) (1997) 53–60.

    Google Scholar 

  33. A.S.M. Masud, P. Metcalf and D. Hommertzheim, A knowledge-based model management system for aircraft survivability analysis, European Journal of Operational Research 84(1) (1998) 47–59.

    Google Scholar 

  34. S. Maturana, Issues in the design of modeling languages for mathematical programming, European Journal of Operational Research 72 (1994) 243–261.

    Google Scholar 

  35. W.A. Muhanna, SYMMS: A model management that supports model reuse, sharing, and integration, European Journal of Operational Research 72(2) (1994) 214–242.

    Google Scholar 

  36. L. Neustadter, On the Structure of Data in SML Models, Research Paper, John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (March 1990).

  37. L. Neustadter, A. Geoffrion, S. Maturana, Y. Tsai and F. Vicuña, The design and implementation of a prototype structured modeling environment, Annals of Operations Research 38 (1992) 453–484.

    Google Scholar 

  38. S. Prasad, V. Shah and J. Hasan, A prototype intelligent model management system for inventory decision support, Omega 24(2) (1996) 153–166.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Professional Oracle, Version 5.1 (for Dos) (Oracle Corp., 20 Davis Dr., Belmont, CA, 1988).

  40. T.F. Rutherford, Extension of GAMS for complementarity problem arising in applied economic analysis, Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 19(8) (1995) 1299–1324.

    Google Scholar 

  41. T.K. Sen and K. Chari, A graphical modeling systems: Applications in organizational model management, Omega 25(2) (1997) 241–253.

    Google Scholar 

  42. J.F. Sowa, Conceptual graphs for a database interface, IBM J. Res. Develop. 20 (1976) 336–357.

    Google Scholar 

  43. M. Trick, The world wide web: It's the customers, Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 393–398.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Y.-C. Tsai, Structured modeling query language, Ph.D. thesis, John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1991).

  45. Y.-C. Tsai, Comparative analysis of model management and relational database management, Omega 29 (2001).

  46. Y.-C. Tsai, SML schema-directed query for the Happy Valley Foods Co. (HVFC) example, Department of Business Administration, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (2000). Available at http://www.ba.ncku.edu.tw/tsaia (modeling systems).

    Google Scholar 

  47. J.D. Ullman, The U.R. Strikes back, in: Proc. First ACM Symp. on Principles of Database Systems (1982) pp. 10-22.

  48. J.D. Ullman, On Kent's consequences of assuming a universal relation, ACM Transactions on Database Systems 8(4) (1983) 637–643.

    Google Scholar 

  49. J.D. Ullman, Principles of Database and Knowledge-Base Systems, Vol. II: The New Technologies (Computer Science Press, Rockville, MD, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  50. M.Y. Vardi, The universal-relation data model for logical independence, IEEE Computer 5 (1988) 80–85.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tsai, YC. The Theory of SML Schema-Directed Query. Annals of Operations Research 104, 335–362 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013123910784

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013123910784

Navigation