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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
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.
A. Bharadwaj, J. Choonineh, A. Lo and B. Shetty, Model management systems: A survey, Annals of Operations Research 38 (1993) 17–67.
H.K. Bhargava and S. Kimbrough, Model management: An embedded language approach, Decision Support Systems 10 (1993) 277–299.
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.
R.W. Blanning, Model management systems: An overview, Decision Support Systems 9 (1993) 9–18.
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.
A.M. Chang, C. Holsapple and A.Whinston, Model management issue and directions, Decision Support Systems 9 (1993) 19–37.
S. Chari, Knowledge representation using structured modeling, Ph.D. thesis, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1988).
P.P.S. Chen, The entity-relationship model: Towards a unified view of data, ACM Trans. Database Systems 1(1) (1976) 9–36.
E.F. Codd, A relational model of data for large shared databanks, Communications of the ACM 13(6) (1970).
E.F. Codd, Universal relation fails to replace relation model, IEEE Software (June 1988).
C.K. Farn, An integrated information system architecture based on structured modeling, Ph.D. thesis, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1985).
R. Fourer, Database structures for mathematical programming models, Decision Support Systems 20 (1997) 317–344.
R. Fourer, Predictions for web technologies in optimization, INFORMS Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 388–389.
A.M. Geoffrion, An introduction to structured modeling, Management Science 33(5) (1987) 547–588.
A.M. Geoffrion, The formal aspects of structured modeling, Operations Research 37(1) (1989) 30–51.
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).
A.M. Geoffrion, FW/SM: A prototype structured modeling environment, Management Science 37(12) (1991) 1513–1538.
A.M. Geoffrion, The SML language for structured modeling: Levels 1 and 2, Operations Research 40(1) (1992) 38–57.
A.M. Geoffrion, The SML language for structured modeling: Levels 3 and 4, Operations Research 40(1) (1992) 58–75.
A.M. Geoffrion, Structured modeling: Survey and future research directions, ORSA CSTS Newsletter15(1) (994).
A.M. Geoffrion, Structured modeling, in: Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science, eds. S.I. Gass and C.M. Harris (Kluwer Academic, 1996).
A.M. Geoffrion, A new horizon for OR/MS, INFORMS Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 390–392.
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).
C. Harvey and J. Browne, A model management approach to manufacturing systems design, International Journal of flexible Manufacturing Systems 8(2) (1996) 103–130.
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.
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.
W. Kent, Consequences of assuming a universal relation, ACM Transactions on Database Systems 6(4) (1981) 539–556.
W. Kent, William Kent's reply to the universal relation revisited, ACM Transactions on Database Systems 8(4) (1983) 644–648.
H. Korth et al., System/U: A database system based on the universal-relation assumption, ACMTrans. Database Systems (September 1984) 331-349.
R. Krishnan, Model management: Survey, future directions and a bibliography, ORSA CSTS Newsletter 14(1) (1993) 1–8.
J. Ma, Type and inheritance theory for model management, Decision Support Systems 19(1) (1997) 53–60.
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.
S. Maturana, Issues in the design of modeling languages for mathematical programming, European Journal of Operational Research 72 (1994) 243–261.
W.A. Muhanna, SYMMS: A model management that supports model reuse, sharing, and integration, European Journal of Operational Research 72(2) (1994) 214–242.
L. Neustadter, On the Structure of Data in SML Models, Research Paper, John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (March 1990).
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.
S. Prasad, V. Shah and J. Hasan, A prototype intelligent model management system for inventory decision support, Omega 24(2) (1996) 153–166.
Professional Oracle, Version 5.1 (for Dos) (Oracle Corp., 20 Davis Dr., Belmont, CA, 1988).
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.
T.K. Sen and K. Chari, A graphical modeling systems: Applications in organizational model management, Omega 25(2) (1997) 241–253.
J.F. Sowa, Conceptual graphs for a database interface, IBM J. Res. Develop. 20 (1976) 336–357.
M. Trick, The world wide web: It's the customers, Journal on Computing 10(4) (1998) 393–398.
Y.-C. Tsai, Structured modeling query language, Ph.D. thesis, John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA (1991).
Y.-C. Tsai, Comparative analysis of model management and relational database management, Omega 29 (2001).
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).
J.D. Ullman, The U.R. Strikes back, in: Proc. First ACM Symp. on Principles of Database Systems (1982) pp. 10-22.
J.D. Ullman, On Kent's consequences of assuming a universal relation, ACM Transactions on Database Systems 8(4) (1983) 637–643.
J.D. Ullman, Principles of Database and Knowledge-Base Systems, Vol. II: The New Technologies (Computer Science Press, Rockville, MD, 1989).
M.Y. Vardi, The universal-relation data model for logical independence, IEEE Computer 5 (1988) 80–85.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013123910784