S-LOGIC: A HIGHER-ORDER LOGIC LANGUAGE FOR DEDUCTIVE DATABASES

Abstract

Deductive databases based on relational databases and Prolog techniques are not suitable for complex object modeling. The problems result from the underlying relational model and the pure Prolog which use inexpressive flat structures. Semantic data models using data abstractions and inheritance greatly increase expressiveness. So do extended terms with internal structure in logic programming. This paper proposes a higher-order logic language for deductive databases called S-logic which is the combination of the semantic data model and extended term approaches. It supports object identity, semantic data abstractions and inheritance very naturally and allows the definition and manipulation of database schema and data in an integrated framework.