Encoding databases satisfying a given set of dependencies

Consider a relation schema with a set of dependency constraints. A fundamental question is what is the minimum space where the possible instances of the schema can be "stored". We study the following model. Encode the instances by giving a function which maps the set of possible instances into the set of words of a given length over the binary alphabet in a decodable way. The problem is to find the minimum length needed. This minimum is called the information content of the database. We investigate several cases where the set of dependency constraints consist of relatively simple sets of functional or multivalued dependencies. We also consider the following natural extension. Is it possible to encode the instances such a way that small changes in the instance cause a small change in the code. © 2012 Springer-Verlag

Global Database Design based on Storage Space and Update Time Minimization

A common approach in designing relational databases is to start with a universal relation schema, which is then decomposed into multiple subschemas. A good choice of subschemas can be determined using integrity constraints defined on the schema, such as functional, multivalued or join dependencies. In this paper we propose and analyze a new normal form based on the idea of minimizing overall storage space and update costs, and as a consequence redundancy as well. This is in contrast to existing normal forms such as BCNF, 4NF or KCNF, which only characterize the absence of redundancy (and thus space and update time minimality) for a single schema. We show that our new normal form naturally extendexisting normal forms to multiple schemas, and provide an algorithm for computing decompositions

Global Database Design based on Storage Space and Update Time Minimization

Abstract: A common approach in designing relational databases is to start with a universal relation schema, which is then decomposed into multiple subschemas. A good choice of subschemas can be determined using integrity constraints defined on the schema, such as functional, multivalued or join dependencies. In this paper we propose and analyze a new normal form based on the idea of minimizing overall storage space and update costs, and as a consequence redundancy as well. This is in contrast to existing normal forms such as BCNF, 4NF or KCNF, which only characterize the absence of redundancy (and thus space and update time minimality) for a single schema. We show that our new normal form naturally extends existing normal forms to multiple schemas, and provide an algorithm for computing decompositions