Can the relational database model be enhanced to better represent the meaning of data? This paper addresses this question by proposing extensions to the relational model aimed at capturing atomic and molecular semantics, representing a synthesis of ideas from existing semantic modeling research, along with the introduction of new rules for insertion, update, and deletion. These extensions offer improved support for data relationships and constraints, allowing database designers to create more systematic and intelligent database systems. The paper introduces new algebraic operators, enhancing the model's capabilities for data manipulation and retrieval. By extending the relational model to incorporate richer semantics, this work contributes to the development of more expressive and intelligent database systems, facilitating more effective data management and knowledge discovery.
Published in ACM Transactions on Database Systems, this paper fits perfectly with the journal’s focus on database theory, design, and implementation. The paper's proposed extensions to the relational model and its support for atomic and molecular semantics are directly relevant to the journal's core themes.