Solomon, Martin K.

We characterize Godel's philosophy of mathematics, as presented in his
published works, with possible clarification and support provided by his
posthumously published drafts, as being formulated by Godel as an optimistic
neo-Kantian epistemology superimposed on a Platonic metaphysics. We further
consider that Godel's more general philosophical worldview can also be
characterized as such. We provide a philosophical interpretation of Godel's
rotating universe solutions to Einstein's field equations that is contrary to Godel's
own philosophical interpretation. We compare Godel's worldview with our
materialistic worldview. Our materialistic worldview developed from interpreting
Godelian type results, but stands in contrast to Godel's worldview. Finally, our
materialistic worldview serves to further explicate, by contrast , Godel's Platonic
world view.

Although the Relational Algebra (RA) is a fundamental component of the relational model of database storage and retrieval, it has not been widely implemented in commercial database systems. The Structured Query Language (SQL) has been for some time the most widely implemented relational database language. This thesis provides and describes the first implementation of a particularly powerful version of the relational algebra that includes an n-ary join operator as well as including the division operator, and nested expressions. With this implementation, that powerful version of the relational algebra can be used as a front end to any SQL-92 compliant database management system, such as Oracle, Informix, DB2, Sybase, SQL Server, and Access.

We critically investigate, evaluate, and illustrate the language of SQL and Java provided by SQLJ. We investigate the main constructs of SQLJ, such as use of declarative and executable statements, SQLJ clauses, and use of bind variables in SQLJ applications. We also observe usage of named and position iterators and we illustrate how to develop and run applications on the server side. In particular, we analyze the difference between SQLJ and JDBC and we find that SQLJ is good for static SQL whereas JDBC is good for dynamic SQL. We also compare the relationship of SQLJ to ANSI/ISO embedded SQL. Finally we evaluate the advantages of developing SQLJ stored procedure over PL/SQL procedures.

Oracle8i, the database for Internet computing, changes the way information is managed and accessed. Not only does Oracle8i introduce new features and enhancement for traditional OLTP and data warehouse, it also provides breakthrough technologies concerning the Internet and Java. This thesis presents a concrete investigation of Oracle8i's new features and new technologies, especially in the area of Internet and Java support. The following research tasks are performed: A comprehensive survey on the new features and new technologies of Oracle8i; An identification of the key features of Java utilities in Oracle8i, including JDBC drivers, SQLJ, and Enterprise JavaBeans, with complete examples running in Windows NT 4.0 environment; Discussions of Oracle8i and Internet, including Oracle WebDB and iFS; A presentation on areas for further study.

This thesis deals with remote database access over the Internet. Three different approaches to remote database access, the CGI-based approach, the Oracle Webserver-based approach and the CORBA-based approach, are discussed. Experiments are conducted to compare the pros and cons of each approach. The Oracle database and Microsoft Access database are utilized as the target database systems. For the CGI-based approach, the CGI programs are coded with ProC, Oracle's SQL-embedded C language, in Microsoft Visual C++ developer's studio, and a Student Record example is demonstrated. For the Oracle Webserver-based approach, the Oracle Webserver 1.1 has been setup and an Online Shopping Club example is demonstrated. For the CORBA-based approach, Orbix Web 2.0.1 and JDK 1.1.1 are utilized as the CORBA system and the development language, respectively, and several examples including single server, multiple servers and multiple databases are presented. An extended SQL syntax is proposed to manipulate data from multiple database systems residing on different hosts in one SQL statement. The implementation of extended SQL statements in CORBA's server/client application is also suggested. With the help of extended SQL syntax and CORBA's multiple server access feature, an example of the client application accessing two databases at a time is illustrated. The pros and cons are discussed of the three remote database access approaches studied in the thesis: (I) The CGI-based approach, which is the most generic and widely used approach. (II) The Oracle Webserver approach, which is a relatively simplified way of the CGI approach, easy to apply but limited in applications. (III) The CORBA-based approach, which is the most powerful and sophisticated approach for remote database access.

We survey and critically compare various approaches and software products for the modeling and logical design of relational databases. In particular, we examine different information modeling methodologies, such as Information Engineering, CASE$\sp*$Method, the Three Schema Concept, as well as data modeling techniques, such as the Entity-Relationship techniques, and the Object Role Modeling technique.

In this thesis, we investigate the different proposed ways of combining object oriented and relational database systems (such combined systems are commonly called object-relational systems). This thesis is based on ideas presented in various papers about object and object relational databases. In this work, a discussion of standards such as ANSI's SQL3 (to be released) and ODMG-93 is given. In particular, the "Class = Relation" and "Class = Domain" approaches to object-relational systems are investigated. Arguments supporting the proposition that the latter approach is the correct approach are presented.

Software development for ecological data systems is concentrated in the description, modeling, and standardization of large amounts of ecological data. Ecological data assembled in many formats is very difficult to reuse. This thesis develops a database model that supports the storage of heterogeneous data in standardized formats. Ecological data standardization is solved with the specification of a structure conversion system. Because input formats cannot be predicted, a scientific data description language was created to control the execution of the conversion system. System analysis is based on interviews with South Florida Water Management District scientists conducting ecosystem research, and ecological data collected at Lake Okeechobee, Florida, during a five-year study. Object-oriented and structural methods were used for analysis. Development is complemented with an introduction to user interfaces.

In 1981, Dr, Martin K. Solomon and Carl D. Kirshen published the paper, "PEIRCE: A Relational DBMS for Small Systems," that utilized Codd's relational algebra as a basis for this interactive database management system. Looking back, it is easy to see that PEIRCE was ahead of its time in many ways, especially by showing an early understanding of the relationship of triggers and virtual files, and recognizing the need for a user interface, known as the Clerk Oriented Interface. An historical overview of PEIRCE will be given, along with a comparison of PEIRCE to the ever popular state-of-the-art ORACLE relational database management system, as well as an explanation of my new extensions to the subsystems of the PEIRCE DBMS. The historical overview is useful because it covers the evolution of PEIRCE over a period of more than 15 years, and collects the previously disjoint information into one place. Also, this overview is interesting because it reflects the change in database and computer technology over that time.

This thesis, based on (ISO/ANSI) X3H2-93-091 Working Draft Database Language SQL (SQL3) (Melton, 1993, 1994), systematically specifies the characteristics and manipulation of object-oriented techniques in SQL3. An essential difference between SQL3 and the previous SQL standards lies in the fact that the abstract data type (ADT) facility supported in SQL3 causes SQL3 to become an extended relational data model rather than a "pure" relational data model. This master's thesis focuses on the careful examination and explication of ADTs and the corresponding families--type templates as they are used in SQL3. These topics involve four aspects: (1) general concepts and technologies in object-oriented data models, (2) the definition of ADTs and their advantages, (3) the manipulation of ADTs in SQL3, including type templates (e.g., distinct types, explicit ADTs, user-defined type templates, standard type templates) and collection types, (4) "tables of ADTs" (row types with table), and (5) conclusions and challenges.