Representing Matrices Using Multi-Directional Foreign Functions

Abstract

New application areas for database technology such as computer-aided design and analysis systems require a semantically rich data model, high performance, extensibility, and application oriented queries. We have built a system for finite element analysis using a functional database management system to represent multiple matrix representations. The functional data model is well suited for managing the data complexity and representation needs of such applications. Our application domain needs multiple customized numerical data representations, user-defined (foreign) functions, multiply inherited types, and overloading of multiargument functions. Type inheritance and overloading requires the support for late binding of function calls in queries. Furthermore, queries may use functions as relationships which means that the system needs to process inverses of both tabulated and foreign functions, multi-directional functions. It is shown how to model matrix algebra operators using multidirectional foreign functions and how to process queries to these functions.