Can Object-Oriented Databases be Statically Typed?

Val Tannen, Peter Buneman, Atsushi Ohori

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Can there be a database programming language with a type system that matches the data model? Can such a language be strongly typed? Can it be statically typed? A static type system for database programming languages is, of course, the Holy Grail of the subject. However we, the authors, who have spent some effort in searching for this venerated object, now doubt its existence and have come to believe that, where object-oriented and semantic data models are concerned, we must either give up the Quest or substantially modify our view of a type system. Worse still, we are not in agreement about which course of action to take.

In the spirit of glasnost we decided simply to expose the disagreement. This paper is therefore constructed as an argument how we might resolve the dilemma. We shall start therefore on what we all believe to be our goals and then open the debate. Rather than reveal the identities of the protagonists (whose positions have not always remained consistent) we shall present a set of arguments and counter-arguments. The reader is invited to join in the fray.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Second International Workshop on Database Programming Languages
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Second International Workshop on Database Programming Languages, 1989, Gleneden Beach, Oregon
PublisherMorgan Kaufmann
Pages226-237
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)1-55860-072-8
Publication statusPublished - 1989

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