DJ: Bridging Java and Deductive Databases

Abstract

Modern society is intrinsically dependent on the ability to manage data effectively. While relational databases have been the industry standard for the past quarter century, recent growth in data volumes and complexity requires novel data management solutions. These trends revitalized the interest in deductive databases and highlighted the need for column-oriented data storage. However, programming technologies for enterprise computing were designed for the relational data management model (i.e., row-oriented data storage). Therefore, developers cannot easily incorporate emerging data management solutions into enterprise systems.

To address the problem above, this thesis presents Deductive Java (DJ), a system that enables enterprise programmers to use a column oriented deductive database in their Java applications. DJ does so without requiring that the programmer become proficient in deductive databases and their non-standardized, vendor-specific APIs. The design of DJ incorporates three novel features: (1) tailoring orthogonal persistence technology to the needs of a deductive database with column-oriented storage; (2) using Java interfaces as a primary mapping construct, thereby simplifying method call interception; (3) providing facilities to deploy light-weight business rules.

DJ was developed in partnership with LogicBlox Inc., an Atlanta based technology startup.