Data Independent Accessing Methodology Distributed Access
Abstract
DIAM, The Data Independent Accessing Model, is a theory for describing the various ways in which information can be represented in a computer. This report uses a relational model of data to define the information resources of a collection of data archives, and the details of how it is stored to the extent necessary to extract it. Access begins by asking a question of the Relational Model (which cuts across sources in combination). The DIAM model then makes it possible to decompose the question into parts so small that no more than one source is needed to answer each part, translate each part to correspond to the representation used by the source, and recompose the translated parts into the largest possible pieces, each of which corresponds to a common source. These requests are then transmitted to the required sources and the returned information is decomposed and recomposed in precisely the opposite way that the question was, yielding the originally sought answer. The report concludes that it is now both feasible and justified to develop a prototype data base access compiler for experimental testing in existing networks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA108645
Entities
People
- Lowell I. Schneider
- Michael Levin