Interconnection of the Graphics Language for Database system to the Multi-Lingual

Abstract

In recent years, the proliferation of database models required to meet today's ever changing database needs has led to a variety of Database Management System (DBMS) designs. This situation has presented a challenging problem for database managers. How does one access information from heterogeneous databases without having to learn and utilize the host's database model and language? The answer seems to lie in the area of multi-lingual, multi-rnodel database systems. Such systems allow the user to access data from any database, using any language the user is familiar with, regardless of the model used to create the database. An experimental system has been developed and implemented at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. One problem with the current system is the lack of a consistent and user-friendly interface to interact with the system. Many different visual interfaces for databases have been proposed in recent years and one of the most promising is GLAD (Graphics Language for Database). GLAD utilizes direct manipulation of database objects through the use of buttons and other controls. The purpose of this thesis is to enhance the GLAD interface and allow it to transparently communicate with a backend data server, in this case an ISI mini-computer running the Multi-Lingual, Multi-Model, Multi-Backend Database System (MBDS) software, allowing users to access heterogeneous databases in a simple and intuitive manner.