English

A Non-Deterministic Multiset Query Language

Logic in Computer Science 2023-06-22 v2 Software Engineering

Abstract

We develop a multiset query and update language executable in a term rewriting system. Its most remarkable feature, besides non-standard approach to quantification and introduction of fresh values, is non-determinism - a query result is not uniquely determined by the database. We argue that this feature is very useful, e.g., in modelling user choices during simulation or reachability analysis of a data-centric business process - the intended application of our work. Query evaluation is implemented by converting the query into a terminating term rewriting system and normalizing the initial term which encapsulates the current database. A normal form encapsulates a query result. We prove that our language can express any relational algebra query. Finally, we present a simple business process specification framework (and an example specification). Both syntax and semantics of our query language is implemented in Maude.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2111.00218,
  title  = {A Non-Deterministic Multiset Query Language},
  author = {Bartosz Zielinski},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2111.00218},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

40 pages, version edited by Fundamenta Informaticae

R2 v1 2026-06-24T07:18:56.880Z