Design and development of data base software for educational use

Abstract

This thesis describes an experiment in the modular construction of data base software for an educational environment. The thesis commences with a description of the educational uses of data base software and specifies why commercially available software is often not suitable for this environment. A major review of the database software literature follows. This review examines the hierarchic network, relational and inverted models, and examines the ways in which the user is given independence from physical database storage mechanisms. The data dictionary concept and the role of the Data Base Administrator is discussed followed by a description of different types of user interface languages. The review concludes with the security aspect of database software. Next the thesis details the objectives, methods and procedures of the software implemented. The software consists of a multi-model database system {hierarchic, inverted and sequential file) with a common query/update language linking the three models. The query/update language QUILL is then described, followed by the sequential file system SEQUENT, the inverted system INVERSE, and the hierarchic system PYRAMID. Finally the thesis examines the software developed in retrospect and also comments on the feasibility of adding other models to the multi-model software