Feasibility study of an Integrated Program for Aerospace-vehicle Design (IPAD) system. Volume 6: Implementation schedule, development costs, operational costs, benefit assessment, impact on company organization, spin-off assessment, phase 1, tasks 3 to 8

A baseline implementation plan, including alternative implementation approaches for critical software elements and variants to the plan, was developed. The basic philosophy was aimed at: (1) a progressive release of capability for three major computing systems, (2) an end product that was a working tool, (3) giving participation to industry, government agencies, and universities, and (4) emphasizing the development of critical elements of the IPAD framework software. The results of these tasks indicate an IPAD first release capability 45 months after go-ahead, a five year total implementation schedule, and a total developmental cost of 2027 man-months and 1074 computer hours. Several areas of operational cost increases were identified mainly due to the impact of additional equipment needed and additional computer overhead. The benefits of an IPAD system were related mainly to potential savings in engineering man-hours, reduction of design-cycle calendar time, and indirect upgrading of product quality and performance

Three Denerations of DBMS

This paper describes the evolution of data base technology from early computing to the sophisticated systems of today. It presents an overview of the most popular data base management systems architectures such as hierarchical, network, relational and object-oriented. The last section of this paper presents a view of the factors that will influence the future of data base technology

Co-existing data base management systems (CODASYL DBTG and System R approaches)

The paper addresses the problem of communication between co-existing DBMSs. Specifically, two data models--that is, the Network and Relationals models--have been analyzed using their respective implementations CODASYL DBTG and System R. Feasibility of communication is discussed and mapping mechanisms are suggested between the two DBMSs at the following levels: - Data Model - Data Definition Language - Data Manipulation Language - Access method Restrictions arising from the individual data models in the mapping process have been outlined, in particular the levels at which communication takes place between the two systems: from Network to Relational at the query language level and the converse at the access method level

View mappings for query languages

The problems of current use of query languages are looked at. One chief drawback is the undesirable requirement for end user familiarity with and knowledge of the underlying database structures, in order to retrieve data effectively. The approach adopted towards resolving this is by means of high-level view support, using unit view structures called perceived records. A prime concern of this thesis then, is the study of perceived record mappings from the database. A set of criteria for categorising and analysing the features of database mappings for end-user views is first developed. In addition, a classification of data structure transformations and data item transformations is also presented. The framework is general and is independent of a specific data model or database management system. Its usefulness is demonstrated by its application to the analysis of view transformations from recursive database structures to high-level, unit view structures. In addition, it serves as a basis for evaluating and comparing the mapping facilities in existing systems. Possible ways of specifying a suitable data model for the perceived record view concept are described. Following on, two general mapping techniques are discussed. This leads to a proposal for a mapping mechanism that supports the flexible derivation of complex perceived record views that can differ considerably from the source structures. The mechanism uses an intermediary canonical transform model. Description of how the transform model mechansim can be used in practical systems to derive perceived record views, is also presented. The feasibility of the ideas proposed are tested out by implementing an interactive software system for defining perceived record views. For this, a mapping definition language for perceived record derivation is first designed. The control system sets up the structures of the mapping definition language and prompts the End-User-Administrator to define and specify the mappings for a perceived record. Appraisals of both the proposed mapping mechanism and implementation are discussed. Examples of use of the interface system are included. The limitations of the implementation are pinpointed with suggestions for further improvements. Practical applications of the work and evaluation of the approach in the light of other existing approaches, are also discussed

Cross model access in the multi-lingual, multi-model database management system.

Relational, hierarchical, network, functional, and object oriented databases support its corresponding query language, SQL, DL/I, CODASYL-DML, DAPLEX, and OO-DML, respectively. However, each database type may be accessed only by its own language. The goal of M2DBMS is to provide a heterogeneous environment in which any supported database is accessible by any supported query language. This is known as cross model access capability. In this thesis, relational to object oriented database cross model access is successfully implemented for a test database. Data from the object oriented database EWIROODB is accessed and retrieved, using an SQL query from the relational database EWIROODB. One problem is that the two interfaces (object oriented and relational) create catalog files with different formation, which makes the cross model access impossible, initially. In this thesis the relational created catalog file is used, and the cross model access capability is achieved. The object oriented catalog file must be identical with the relational one. Therefore, work yet to be done is to write a program that automatically reformats the object oriented catalog file into an equivalent relational catalog filehttp://archive.org/details/crossmodelaccess00anasLt, Hellenic NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Economic data bank management in a developing nation

This dissertation describes the results of a research project which was undertaken at Loughborough University of Technology. The basic objectives of the research project were: (1) to investigate the management elements required for organising the development of an Economic Data Bank (EDB), with particular emphasis on the requirements of a developing nation; (2) to investigate the sociological, political and technical implications associated with organising the development of an EDB in a developing nation. A theoretical framework was established for this study. This was dene after an extensive search and review of literature was performed in the areas of data and data base management systems, management information systems, and computer technology in general. [Continues.

DATABASE ACCESS REQUIREMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS

Knowledge bases constitute the core of those Artificial Intelligence programs which have come to be known as Expert Systems. An examination of the most dominant knowledge representation schemes used in these systems reveals that a knowledge base can, and possibly should, be described at several levels using different schemes, including those traditionally used in operational databases. This chapter provides evidence that solutions to the organization and access problem for very large knowledge bases require the employment of appropriate database management methods, at least for the lowest level of description -- the facts or data. We identify the database access requirements of knowledge-based or expert systems and then present four general architectural strategies for the design of expert systems that interact with databases, together with specific recommendations for their suitability in particular situations. An implementation of the most advanced and ambitious of these strategies is then discussed in some detail.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

Microcomputer implementation and use for the aviation logistic support functions of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing: a case study

The proliferation of microcomputers is a reality. During this study, we researched the implementation and use of microcomputers for aviation logistics support in the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In the course of our research, we interviewed Staff Officers and other personnel involved with automation and aviation logistics support. We saw first hand how these microcomputer systems were being employed. Based upon accepted theory and current ideas regarding the use of information technology, we analyzed the methods and effectiveness of microcomputer implementation and use across the Wing. We found a high degree of variability in the implementation methods and use of microcomputer systems. A great deal of work, remains to be done. We think that much of what we discovered in the course of our study is applicable across organizational boundaries within the United States Marine Corps.http://archive.org/details/microcomputerimp00buraCaptain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Engineering and Scientific Data Management

The application of data management systems to engineering and scientific data is described