A graphical knowledge level approach for user-database interaction

Abstract

The authors propose a novel user interface, the Graphical Knowledge Level interface, for user-database interaction. This interface addresses two of the current research problems: the semantic inadequacy of the relational model and the logical data dependence of the relational languages. The interface is more user-friendly than the SQL interface and the Universal Relation interface as it employs the graphical approach. The semantic inadequacy problem is alleviated by using an enhanced entity-relationship model. This data model includes abstraction concepts such as aggregation, generalization, and categorization. A formal, high-level Graphical Knowledge Level Query Language, GKQL, which provides for both logical and physical data independence has also been designed.