Preferred Repairs for Inconsistent Databases

Abstract

The objective of this article is to investigate the problems related to the extensional integration of information sources. In particular, we propose an approach for managing inconsistent databases, that is, databases violating integrity constraints. The problem of dealing with inconsistent information has recently assumed additional relevance as it plays a key role in all the areas in which duplicate information or conflicting information is likely to occur (Agarwal et al., 1995; Arenas, Bertossi & Chomicki, 1999; Bry, 1997; Dung, 1996; Lin & Mendelzon, 1999; Subrahmanian, 1994).