ARES: A relational database with the capability of performing flexible interpretation of queries

Abstract

In ARES, relational operations have been functionally augmented with an additional comparison operator. This operator implies `approximately equal to' or `similar to' for cases in which the user expects the system to perform a flexible interpretation of the query conditions. The functional augmentation is simply achieved by a combination of conventional relational operations. ARES is now in actual operation in a research environment, and will contribute to the next step of research toward implementation of highly intelligent data processing facilities beyond the present scope of database technology.