Null values in nested relational databases (Q1124388)

A definition of the nested relational model is presented based on the review of concepts studied by various researchers including the authors of this paper. Three types of null values in first NF and nested relations (no-information, unknown, nonexistent) are studied. Relationships ``more informative'', ``subsume'', ``information-wise equivalent'' are defined on tuples and relations with null values. Nested relational algebra operating on relations with null values in the partitioned normal form is introduced. Criteria used to establish the correctness of extended operators are defined. Proofs of some properties of extended operators are given. The effects of null values addition on functional dependencies in nested relations and on multivalued dependencies in first NF relations are studied. It is shown that the traditional axiomatization is valid in the presence of nulls. Further work is needed on select, project and join operators for nested relations.