An exploratory study of ad hoc query languages to databases

Bell, John E.; Rowe, Lawrence A.

doi:10.1109/icde.1992.213148

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Several experiments have been carried out, comparing how users cope with formal query languages, form-based interfaces, graphical interfaces, and NLIDBS. Bell and Rowe (1992) describe one such experiment, during which fifty-five subjects, ranging from computer novices to programmers, were asked to perform database queries using a formal query language (SQL), a graphical interface (SunSimplify -see section 3), and a NLIDB (DATATALKER, later known as NATURAL LANGUAGE -see section 2). The subjects first received some training on how to use the three interfaces, and were then asked to perform database queries, most of which were similar to the queries the subjects had encountered during the training period.…”

Section: Some Disadvantages Ofnlidbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural language interfaces to databases – an introduction

1995

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This paper is an introduction to natural language interfaces to databases (Nlidbs). A brief overview of the history of Nlidbs is first given. Some advantages and disadvantages of Nlidbs are then discussed, comparing Nlidbs to formal query languages, form-based interfaces, and graphical interfaces. An introduction to some of the linguistic problems Nlidbs have to confront follows, for the benefit of readers less familiar with computational linguistics. The discussion then moves on to Nlidb architectures, portability issues, restricted natural language input systems (including menu-based Nlidbs), and Nlidbs with reasoning capabilities. Some less explored areas of Nlidb research are then presented, namely database updates, meta-knowledge questions, temporal questions, and multi-modal Nlidbs. The paper ends with reflections on the current state of the art.

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Section: Some Disadvantages Ofnlidbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural language interfaces to databases – an introduction

1995

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“…the ones beginning with the keyword SELECT [11], [15], [16], [21]. For that reason we also concentrated on the same problem group.…”

Section: E Groups Of Query Tasks In Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing database querying skills by choosing a more appropriate interface

Koreňová

Drlík

Munk

2010

IEEE EDUCON 2010 Conference

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To benefit from data stored in growing numbers of database systems, the number of users capable of finding relevant information should also grow. They should be capable of posing requests, formulate relevant queries, and interpret the obtained results. The user interface should allow them to concentrate on the core of the problem without disturbances caused by details of the query language's syntax. We show the results of our study of the relationship between the interface offered by query languages and their users' ability to express their requests in a correct and comfortable manner. Our aim was to analyze the state-of-art in introductory database courses from this point of view, to design and to test an educational methodology appropriate for nonprofessionals. It should help them to achieve an advanced expertise in query design and development.All DBMS's contain SQL but many of them also have a version of Query-By-Example (QBE) language. Their developers likely believe that for non-professionals this sort of interface is more appropriate for creating queries than SQL. Our review of literature showed that the topic was hardly studied in depth. To do so, we designed and developed an educational methodology which addresses the frontier field between design of query languages, HCI, users' mental and conceptual models and performed an educational experiment that tested it.Many of our presumed advantages of QBE have been proved correct. There are statistically significant differences in time, accuracy and users' satisfaction related to query creation. We also found out statistically significant differences in combinations of variables (time, accuracy, and satisfaction) and the level of task difficulty. The result may have a positive influence on nonprofessionals' exploitation of databases. It may lead to designing and developing a combined methodology that would benefit from positives of both: QBE and SQL. Keywords-introductory database courses; comparison of QBE and SQL; query formation; mental models of query processing.

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“…The universal quantifier (ALL) and the negation seem also easier to express. But some concepts are still difficult to understand, such as the self-referential join [7].…”

Section: Natural Languagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of Query Languages for Geographic Information Systems

Aufaure-Portier

Trépied

1996

Electronic Workshops in Computing

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This paper presents a survey of query languages dedicated to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Five categories of query languages can be identified : (1) natural languages, (2) extensions of SQL, (3) tabular languages : use of skeletons or forms, (4) graphical languages : use of symbols, which are only graphical conventions (like in the entity-relationship diagrams) and (5) visual languages : use of visual metaphors (e.g., icons, blackboard metaphor and map-overlay metaphor). The principles of each of them are presented. Respective strengths and weaknesses are pointed out, based on a set of predefined queries. The main objective of this paper is to present the state of the art of research work in a domain which is suitable for graphical querying. The last part of this paper describes hypermedia techniques.

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An exploratory study of ad hoc query languages to databases

Cited by 11 publications

References 25 publications

Natural language interfaces to databases – an introduction

Natural language interfaces to databases – an introduction

Enhancing database querying skills by choosing a more appropriate interface

A Survey of Query Languages for Geographic Information Systems

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