Source: In: Proceedings COMPSAC 80, Oct 27-31, 1980, p. 670-675

Abstract:

Process information systems are minicomputer based information systems in the context of technical processes. These systems perform on-line acquisition, evaluation and storage of process data with the objective to extensively support the operator controlling the process.

The requirements to be met by a general database system (DBS) as a component of such information systems lead to the idea of a generable DBS: A generable DBS consists of modules, which can be put together to form a DBS version tailored to the needs of a particular application. The process of generating a DBS is outlined: It consists of

• a tailored DBS nucleus, i.e. the construction of the software system for the manipulation of a database
• a tailored database (DB), i.e. the allocation of system files needed by a nucleus.

Since these two tasks are done separately and independently the case can occur that certain DBS versions cannot operate on a given type of DB. This kind of incompatibility problem is handled by evaluating in each nucleus the list of DB capabilities residing in the respective DB.

[back]