NETWORK DATA MODELS FOR REPRESENTATION OF UNCERTAINTY

Network data models have not received the level of attention accorded relational models in fuzzy database research. The lack of formality in the description of form and behavior of network models has served to inhibit deeper probing. Here, a formal definition of the record interrelationships is offered together with a concise logical description of the constraints enforced by DBTG network databases. Three approaches for incorporating imprecision via fuzzy set theory are given together with original nonprocedural query languages. It is found that the greatest barrier to straightforward incorporation of semantics dealing with imprecision is the functionality constraint - the condition that a record may have but a single owner. © 1990.