Indeterminacy in sql, PL-SQL Programming

Assignment Help:

Indeterminacy in SQL

Some SQL expressions are actually not function invocations at all in the mathematical sense, being indeterminate-invocations operating on identical input do not always yield the same value. The indeterminate expressions are among those that the standard defines as possibly non-deterministic, but- caveat lector-not all expressions defined as possibly non-deterministic are actually indeterminate from a mathematical viewpoint. For example, the key word USER denotes the userid (officially, the authorization identifier) of the session in which an expression containing that key word is evaluated. Such an expression is defined as possibly non-deterministic by virtue of the appearance of USER, even though invocations in different sessions, in which USER stands for different userids, are clearly different invocations.

For a more general example, a user-defined function can be explicitly declared as either DETERMINISTIC or NOT DETERMINISTIC. In the latter case the "function" is flagged such that all invocations of it are treated as possibly non-deterministic. Regardless of the appropriateness of the term non-deterministic, there is a good reason for categorizing references to the current user (or, for another example, the current time) along with genuine cases of indeterminacy. It concerns constraint declarations. We clearly want to outlaw a constraint condition whose result, when evaluated, depends on the properties of the session in which, or on the time at which, the evaluation takes place. Of course we must also outlaw genuinely indeterminate conditions-a database might satisfy such a condition but later fail to satisfy it even though the database has not been updated in the meantime! The question then arises as to how it is possible for indeterminacy to arise: surely a computer program always gives the same result when invoked with the same input?


Related Discussions:- Indeterminacy in sql

Processing transactions, Processing Transactions This part describes ho...

Processing Transactions This part describes how to do the transaction processing. You learn the fundamental techniques that safeguard the consistency of your database, involvin

Functions in pl/sql, Functions   The function is a subprogram that cal...

Functions   The function is a subprogram that calculates a value. The Functions and procedures are structured similar, except that the functions have a RETURN clause. You can

Cause of indeterminacy in sql, Cause of Indeterminacy in SQL One root ...

Cause of Indeterminacy in SQL One root cause of indeterminacy in SQL lies in its implementation of comparison for equality. For certain system-defined types it is possible for

Biochemical origin of life - modern concept, BIOCHE M ICA L ORIGIN OF LI...

BIOCHE M ICA L ORIGIN OF LIFE - It is generally agreed by astronomers, geologists and biologists that the earth is approximately 4500-5000 million years old. It is an

User-defined exceptions, User-Defined Exceptions The PL/SQL defines the...

User-Defined Exceptions The PL/SQL defines the exceptions of your own. Dissimilar to the predefined exceptions, the user-defined exceptions should be declared and should be rai

Parameter and keyword description - sql cursor, Parameter and Keyword Descr...

Parameter and Keyword Description: SQL: This SQL is the name of the implicit SQL cursor. %FOUND: This attribute results TRUE if an INSERT, DELETE, or UPDATE state

Keyword and parameter description - if statement, Keyword and Parameter Des...

Keyword and Parameter Description: boolean_expression: This is an expression which results the Boolean value TRUE, FALSE, & NULL. It is related with a series of statement

Database Management, Due to an increase in overhead costs, the buying price...

Due to an increase in overhead costs, the buying price of all items needs to be increased. Management wants to see a report before deciding how much each product will go up. Add to

Keyword and parameter description - forall statement, Keyword &Parameter De...

Keyword &Parameter Description: index_name: This is an undeclared identifier which can be referenced only within the FORALL statement and only as the collection subscript

Exceptions - syntax, Exceptions An exception is the runtime error or wa...

Exceptions An exception is the runtime error or warning condition that can be predefined or user-defined. The Predefined exceptions are raised implicitly through runtime system

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd