LogiQL A Query Language for Smart Databases

LogiQL is a new state-of-the-art programming language based on Datalog. It can be used to build applications that combine transactional, analytical, graph, probabilistic, and mathematical programming. LogiQL makes it possible to build hybrid applications that previously required multiple programming languages and databases. In this first book to cover LogiQL, the authors explain how to design, implement, and query deductive databases using this new programming language. LogiQL’s declarative approach enables complex data structures and business rules to be simply specified and then automatically executed. It is especially suited to business applications requiring complex rules to be implemented efficiently, for example predictive analytics and supply chain optimization. Suitable for both novices and experienced developers, the book is written in easy-to-understand language. It includes many examples and exercises throughout to illustrate the main concepts and consolidate understanding.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentKey LogiQL ConceptsQuick StartAuthorsBasicsDatabases, Predicates, and FactsDeclaring Entity Types and RefmodesEntering FactsExpressing Domain Relationships with PredicatesConstraining the DataDeclaring Functional PredicatesDeclaring Derivation RulesQuerying a WorkspaceConsolidation Exercise 1Part 1: Country of BirthPart 2: Birth and Death DatesPart 3: Age at DeathPart 4: Reigns and AncestryAnswers to ExercisesIntermediate AspectsInverse-Functional PredicatesN-ary PredicatesInclusive-or and External Uniqueness ConstraintsSubtyping and SubsettingSubtypesSubset ConstraintsRecursive Rules and Ring ConstraintsRecursionRing ConstraintsHard and Soft ConstraintsThe Count and Total FunctionsComputing CountsDealing with Empty PredicatesComputing Totals and AveragesConsolidation Exercise 2Part 1: BooksPart 2: Book SalesPart 3: PersonnelAnswers to ExercisesDiving DeeperThe max and min FunctionsArgmin and ArgmaxSummary of Aggregation FunctionsSafety Conditions for Rules and QueriesDerivation Rule SemanticsDelta Rules and Pulse PredicatesDelta ModifiersDelta LogicPulse PredicatesTransaction ProcessingTransactionsTransaction Processing ExampleStage SuffixesSummaryAdditional Built-in Operators and FunctionsArithmeticString ManipulationAggregate Functions for OrderingConsolidation Exercise 3Answers to ExercisesAdvanced AspectsEmulating Imperative Programming ConstructsStatementsSwitch StatementIteration Statements Further Constraints Equality ConstraintsValue Constraints Frequency ConstraintsSubset and Exclusion Constraints Involving Join PathsDerived Entities and ConstructorsN-ary ConstructorsProgram OrganizationLegacy CodeProgram OrganizationProjectsModules and Concrete BlocksNamespaces Revisited Separate Compilation and LibrariesSummary Miscellaneous Topics Materialized and Derived-Only ViewsHierarchical Syntax File Predicates Consolidation Exercise 4 Answers to ExercisesGlossaryAppendicesRunning Your ProgramsRunning the LogiQL REPLLogiQL SyntaxBuilt-In Operators and PredicatesSummary of ConstraintsProgramming ConventionsLogiQL and Predicate LogicLogiQL and SQLTesting Your ProgramsImproving Your Program’s Performance

Spencer Rugaber is a computer scientist who has worked both in industry and in academia as well as serving as program director for the Software Engineering and Languages program at the U.S. National Science Foundation. His research interests are in the area of software engineering, human-computer interaction, and cognitive science. He is the author of the article on program understanding included in the Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology and of numerous software engineering articles appearing in technical journals and conference proceedings. He is currently a computer scientist with LogicBlox, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia) and an adjunct faculty member at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta). Terry Halpin is a professor in computer science at INTI International University, Malaysia, and a data modeling consultant. He previously held senior faculty positions in computer science at the University of Queensland (Australia) and Neumont University (Salt Lake City, Utah). He previously spent many years in data modeling technology at Asymetrix Corporation, InfoModelers Inc., Visio Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, and LogicBlox. His doctoral thesis formalized object-role modeling (ORM/NIAM), and his current research focuses on conceptual modeling and rule-based technology. He has authored more than 200 technical publications and seven books, and has co-edited nine books on information systems modeling research. He is a regular columnist for the Business Rules Journal, and is a recipient of the DAMA International Achievement Award for Education (2002) and the IFIP Outstanding Service Award (2006).