A Probabilistic Relational Data Model

Abstract:

It is often desirable to represent in a database entities whose properties cannot be deterministically classified. We develop a new data model that includes probabilities associated with the values of the attributes. The notion of missing probabilities is introduced for partially specified probability distributions. This new model offers a richer descriptive language allowing the database to more accurately reflect the uncertain real world. Probabilistic analogs to the basic relational operators are defined and their correctness is studied.