System Issues in Supporting Active Real-Time Databases

Abstract

Over the past several years, there has been a significant growth of interest in the areas of active and real-time databases. Although the semantics and techniques of active database systems could match real-time transaction processing needs, there has not been much work in supporting both activeness and timeliness in database systems. In a number of time-critical embedded applications such as network management, traffic control, and factory automation, the functionality supported by active database systems and real-time databases would be required to meet the requirements imposed by the applications. Satisfying the timing requirements demands the scheduling of system resources according to well-understood algorithms so that the timing behavior of the system is understandable and predictable. A number of open issues need to be addressed to support both active and real-time features in database systems. For example, while using event-based rules and triggers is necessary to support activeness, it would bring complexity in transaction scheduling and may result in reduced timeliness/predictability of the database.

This is a summary of the moderated session with the same title.