Related papers: On Higher Order Query Languages which on Relationa…
We study an extension of FO^2[<], first-order logic interpreted in finite words, in which formulas are restricted to use only two variables. We adjoin to this language two-variable atomic formulas that say, `the letter a appears between…
This thesis investigates the central role of homomorphism problems (structure-preserving maps) in two complementary domains: database querying over finite, graph-shaped data, and constraint solving over (potentially infinite) structures.…
This paper studies the logical properties of a very general class of infinite ranked trees, namely those generated by higher-order recursion schemes. We consider, for both monadic second-order logic and modal mu-calculus, three main…
A classical result in descriptive complexity theory states that Datalog expresses exactly the class of polynomially computable queries on ordered databases. In this paper we extend this result to the case of higher-order Datalog. In…
Logic is the science of correct inferences and a logical system is a tool to prove assertions in a certain logic in a correct way. There are many logical systems, and many ways of formalizing them, e.g., using natural deduction or sequent…
We consider a core language of graph queries. These queries are seen as formulas to be solved with respect to graph-oriented databases. For this purpose, we first define a graph query algebra where some operations over graphs and sets of…
We study the expressive power of successor-invariant first-order logic, which is an extension of first-order logic where the usage of an additional successor relation on the structure is allowed, as long as the validity of formulas is…
A central computational task in database theory, finite model theory, and computer science at large is the evaluation of a first-order sentence on a finite structure. In the context of this task, the \emph{width} of a sentence, defined as…
Semi-algebraic proof systems such as sum-of-squares (SoS) have attracted a lot of attention recently due to their relation to approximation algorithms: constant degree semi-algebraic proofs lead to conjecturally optimal polynomial-time…
The database community lacks a unified relational query language for subset selection and optimisation queries, limiting both user expression and query optimiser reasoning about such problems. Decades of research (latterly under the rubric…
Subtyping, also known as subtype polymorphism, is a concept extensively studied in programming language theory, delineating the substitutability relation among datatypes. This property ensures that programs designed for supertype objects…
Higher-order constructs enable more expressive and concise code by allowing procedures to be parameterized by other procedures. Assertions allow expressing partial program specifications, which can be verified either at compile time…
Existential positive formulas form a fragment of first-order logic that includes and is semantically equivalent to unions of conjunctive queries, one of the most important and well-studied classes of queries in database theory. We consider…
It is well-known that every first-order property on words is expressible using at most three variables. The subclass of properties expressible with only two variables is also quite interesting and well-studied. We prove precise structure…
Many datasets in scientific and engineering applications are comprised of objects which have specific geometric structure. A common example is data which inhabits a representation of the group SO$(3)$ of 3D rotations: scalars, vectors,…
Natural language interfaces to databases have gained popularity, yet the theoretical foundations for evaluating and designing these systems remain underdeveloped. We present QUEST (Query Understanding Evaluation through Semantic…
Logical formalisms for reasoning about relations between spatial regions play a fundamental role in geographical information systems, spatial and constraint databases, and spatial reasoning in AI. In analogy with Halpern and Shoham's modal…
Complexity and decidability of logics is a major research area involving a huge range of different logical systems. This calls for a unified and systematic approach for the field. We introduce a research program based on an algebraic…
Keyword search against structured databases has become a popular topic of investigation, since many users find structured queries too hard to express, and enjoy the freedom of a ``Google-like'' query box into which search terms can be…
In a previous paper, entitled "Structural Highness Notions," we defined several classes of degrees that are high in senses related to computable structure theory. Each class of degrees is characterized by a structural feature (e.g., an…