Jan Chomicki

Consistent query answers in inconsistent databases

In this paper we consider the problem of the logical characterization of the notion of consistent answer in a relational database that may violate given integrity constraints. This notion is captured in terms of the possible repaired versions of the database. A method for computing consistent answers is given and its soundness and completeness (for some classes of constraints and queries) proved. The method is based on an iterative procedure whose termination for several classes of constraints is proved as well.

Skyline with presorting

The skyline, or Pareto, operator selects those tuples that are not dominated by any others. Extending relational systems with the skyline operator would offer a basis for handling preference queries. Good algorithms are needed for skyline, however, to make this efficient in a relational setting. We propose a skyline algorithm, SFS, based on presorting that is general, for use with any skyline query, efficient, and well behaved in a relational setting.

Preference formulas in relational queries

The handling of user preferences is becoming an increasingly important issue in present-day information systems. Among others, preferences are used for information filtering and extraction to reduce the volume of data presented to the user. They are also used to keep track of user profiles and formulate policies to improve and automate decision making.We propose here a simple, logical framework for formulating preferences as preference formulas. The framework does not impose any restrictions on the preference relations, and allows arbitrary operation and predicate signatures in preference formulas. It also makes the composition of preference relations straightforward. We propose a simple, natural embedding of preference formulas into relational algebra (and SQL) through a single winnow operator parameterized by a preference formula. The embedding makes possible the formulation of complex preference queries, for example, involving aggregation, by piggybacking on existing SQL constructs. It also leads in a natural way to the definition of further, preference-related concepts like ranking. Finally, we present general algebraic laws governing the winnow operator and its interactions with other relational algebra operators. The preconditions on the applicability of the laws are captured by logical formulas. The laws provide a formal foundation for the algebraic optimization of preference queries. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach through numerous examples.

Minimal-change integrity maintenance using tuple deletions

We address the problem of minimal-change integrity maintenance in the context of integrity constraints in relational databases. We assume that integrity-restoration actions are limited to tuple deletions. We focus on two basic computational issues: repair checking (is a database instance a repair of a given database?) and consistent query answers [in: ACM Symposium on Principles of Database Systems (PODS), 1999, 68] (is a tuple an answer to a given query in every repair of a given database?). We study the computational complexity of both problems, delineating the boundary between the tractable and the intractable cases. We consider denial constraints, general functional and inclusion dependencies, as well as key and foreign key constraints. Our results shed light on the computational feasibility of minimal-change integrity maintenance. The tractable cases should lead to practical implementations. The intractability results highlight the inherent limitations of any integrity enforcement mechanism, e.g., triggers or referential constraint actions, as a way of performing minimal-change integrity maintenance.

Consistent query answering: five easy pieces

Consistent query answering (CQA) is an approach to querying inconsistent databases without repairing them first. This invited talk introduces the basics of CQA, and discusses selected issues in this area. The talk concludes with a summary of other relevant work and an outline of potential future research topics.

Querying with Intrinsic Preferences

The handling of user preferences is becoming an increasingly important issue in present-day information systems. Among others, preferences are used for information filtering and extraction to reduce the volume of data presented to the user. They are also used to keep track of user profiles and formulate policies to improve and automate decision making. We propose a logical framework for formulating preferences and its embedding into relational query languages. The framework is simple, and entirely neutral with respect to the properties of preferences. It makes it possible to formulate different kinds of preferences and to use preferences in querying databases. We demonstrate the usefulness of the framework through numerous examples.

Answer sets for consistent query answering in inconsistent databases

A relational database is inconsistent if it does not satisfy a given set of integrity constraints. Nevertheless, it is likely that most of the data in it is consistent with the constraints. In this paper we apply logic programming based on answer sets to the problem of retrieving consistent information from a possibly inconsistent database. Since consistent information persists from the original database to every of its minimal repairs, the approach is based on a specification of database repairs using disjunctive logic programs with exceptions, whose answer set semantics can be represented and computed by systems that implement stable model semantics. These programs allow us to declare persistence by default of data from the original instance to the repairs; and changes to restore consistency, by exceptions. We concentrate mainly on logic programs for binary integrity constraints, among which we find most of the integrity constraints found in practice.

Logics for databases and information systems

1. Introduction to Logics for Databases and Information Systems J. Chomicki, G. Saake. 2. A Logic Primer S. Conrad. 3. Temporal Logic in Information Systems J. Chomicki, D. Toman. 4. The Role of Deontic Logic in the Specification of Information Systems J.-J.Ch. Meyer, et al. 5. A Logic for Programming Database Transactions A.J. Bonner, M. Kifer. 6. Logics for Specifying Concurrent Information Systems H.-D. Ehrich, et al. 7. Evolving Logical Specification in Information Systems S. Conrad, et al. 8. Description Logics for Conceptual Data Modeling D. Calvanese, et al. 9. Integrity Constraints: Semantics and Applications P. Godfrey, et al. 10. Logical Approaches to Incomplete Information: A Survey R. van der Meyden. 11. Declarative Frameworks for Inheritance L.V.S. Lakshmanan, K. Thirunarayan. 12. On Logical Foundations of Active Databases G. Lausen, et al. Index.

Temporal Query Languages: A Survey

We define formal notions of temporal domain and temporal database, and use them to survey a wide spectrum of temporal query languages. We distinguish between an abstract temporal database and its concrete representations, and accordingly between abstract and concrete temporal query languages. We also address the issue of incomplete temporal information.

Efficient checking of temporal integrity constraints using bounded history encoding

We present an efficient implementation method for temporal integrity constraints formulated in Past Temporal Logic. Although the constraints can refer to past states of the database, their checking does not require that the entire database history be stored. Instead, every database state is extended with auxiliary relations that contain the historical information necessary for checking constraints. Auxiliary relations can be implemented as materialized relational views.