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Explaining ambiguity in a formal query language

Published: 01 June 1990 Publication History

Abstract

The problem of generating reasonable natural language-like responses to queries formulated in nonnavigational query languages with logical data independence is addressed. An extended ER model, the Entity-Relationship-Involvement model, is defined which assists in providing a greater degree of logical data independence and the generation of natural language explanations of a query processor's interpretation of a query. These are accomplished with the addition of the concept of an involvement to the model. Based on involvement definitions in a formally defined data definition language, DDL, an innovative strategy for generating explanations is outlined and exemplified. In the conclusion, possible extensions to the approach are given.

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Published In

cover image ACM Transactions on Database Systems
ACM Transactions on Database Systems  Volume 15, Issue 2
June 1990
183 pages
ISSN:0362-5915
EISSN:1557-4644
DOI:10.1145/78922
Issue’s Table of Contents

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 01 June 1990
Published in TODS Volume 15, Issue 2

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