On the Selection of Optimal Index Configuration in 00 Databases*

An operation in object-oriented databases gives rise to the processing of a path. Several database operations may result into the same path. We address the problem of optimal index configuration for a single path. As it will be shown an optimal index configuration for a path can be achieved by splitting the path into subpaths and by indexing each subpath with the optimal index organization. We present an algorithm which is able to select an optimal index configuration for a given path. FOT the moment we consider a limited number of existing indexing techniques (simple index, inherited index, nested inherited index, multi-index, and multi-inherited index) but the principles of the algorithm will remain the same adding more indexing techniques.

A survey in indexing and searching XML documents

XML holds the promise to yield (1) a more precise search by providing additional information in the elements, (2) a better integrated search of documents from heterogeneous sources, (3) a powerful search paradigm using structural as well as content specifications, and (4) data and information exchange to share resources and to support cooperative search. We survey several indexing techniques for XML documents, grouping them into flat-file, semistructured, and structured indexing paradigms. Searching techniques and supporting techniques for searching are reviewed, including full text search and multistage search. Because searching XML documents can be very flexible, various search result presentations are discussed, as well as database and information retrieval system integration and XML query languages. We also survey various retrieval models, examining how they would be used or extended for retrieving XML documents. To conclude the article, we discuss various open issues that XML poses with respect to information retrieval and database research.Department of Computin