Fuzzy and Probabilistic Object Bases

Abstract

Database systems have evolved from relational databases to those integrating different modeling and computing paradigms, in particular, object orientation and probabilistic reasoning. This chapter introduces an extension of the probabilistic object base model by Eiter et al. (2001), using fuzzy sets for representing and handling vague and imprecise values of object attributes. A probabilistic interpretation of relations on fuzzy set values is proposed to integrate them into that probability-based framework. Then, the definitions of fuzzy-probabilistic object base schemas, instances, and selection operation are presented. Other algebraic operations, namely, projection, renaming, Cartesian product, join, intersection, union, and difference of the probabilistic object base model are also adapted for its fuzzy extension.