Integrating Complex Objects and Recursion

The molecule-atom data model (MAD model) supports the management of complex objects in databases. It allows for the dynamic definition of complex object structures at query time. Since these structures may be recursive, transitive closure computations are supported in a natural way. The results of these computations do not only contain the elements belonging to a closure: structured representations of the transitive closure graph showing the path used to reach each node can be derived, too. Furthermore, path problems can be solved by appropriate operator combinations. The integration of the notion of complex objects with recursion makes the MAD model appropriate for many enhanced applications such as VLSI design, CAD/CAM and deduction.