Indeterminacy in sql, PL-SQL Programming

Assignment Help:

Indeterminacy in SQL

Some SQL expressions are actually not function invocations at all in the mathematical sense, being indeterminate-invocations operating on identical input do not always yield the same value. The indeterminate expressions are among those that the standard defines as possibly non-deterministic, but- caveat lector-not all expressions defined as possibly non-deterministic are actually indeterminate from a mathematical viewpoint. For example, the key word USER denotes the userid (officially, the authorization identifier) of the session in which an expression containing that key word is evaluated. Such an expression is defined as possibly non-deterministic by virtue of the appearance of USER, even though invocations in different sessions, in which USER stands for different userids, are clearly different invocations.

For a more general example, a user-defined function can be explicitly declared as either DETERMINISTIC or NOT DETERMINISTIC. In the latter case the "function" is flagged such that all invocations of it are treated as possibly non-deterministic. Regardless of the appropriateness of the term non-deterministic, there is a good reason for categorizing references to the current user (or, for another example, the current time) along with genuine cases of indeterminacy. It concerns constraint declarations. We clearly want to outlaw a constraint condition whose result, when evaluated, depends on the properties of the session in which, or on the time at which, the evaluation takes place. Of course we must also outlaw genuinely indeterminate conditions-a database might satisfy such a condition but later fail to satisfy it even though the database has not been updated in the meantime! The question then arises as to how it is possible for indeterminacy to arise: surely a computer program always gives the same result when invoked with the same input?


Related Discussions:- Indeterminacy in sql

Obtaining a natural join by specifying the common columns, Obtaining a natu...

Obtaining a natural join by specifying the common columns Synatax: SELECT * FROM IS_CALLED JOIN IS_ENROLLED_ON USING ( StudentId ) However, a named columns join doe

Features of pl/sql, Main features of PL/SQL A good way to get familiar ...

Main features of PL/SQL A good way to get familiar with PL/SQL is to look at a sample program. The below program processes an order for tennis rackets. At first, it declares a

Union all - sql, UNION ALL - SQL Further varieties of UNION arise when...

UNION ALL - SQL Further varieties of UNION arise when we replace the key word DISTINCT by ALL in any of the foregoing examples, as in Example. ALL specifies that if row r appe

Pl/sql expressions , Pl/SQL Expressions The Expressions are constructed...

Pl/SQL Expressions The Expressions are constructed by using the operands and operators. An operand is a constant, literal, variable, or function call which contributes a value

Procedure, 1. Create a procedure called TAX_COST_SP to accomplish the tax c...

1. Create a procedure called TAX_COST_SP to accomplish the tax calculation task. Keep in mind that the state and subtotal values are inputs into the procedure and the procedure is

Cursor variables, Cursor Variables Similar to a cursor, cursor variable...

Cursor Variables Similar to a cursor, cursor variable points to the current row in the result set of a multi-row query. But, dissimilar a cursor, a cursor variable can be opene

Logical operators-pl/sql expressions , Logical Operators The logical op...

Logical Operators The logical operators AND, NOT, and OR follow the tri-state logic shown in table below. The AND and OR are binary operators; NOT is a unary operator.

Forward declarations - subprograms, Forward Declarations The PL/SQL ne...

Forward Declarations The PL/SQL needs that you declare an identifier before using it. And hence, you should declare a subprogram before calling it. For illustration, the decla

Update statement - syntax, UPDATE Statement   The UPDATE statement tra...

UPDATE Statement   The UPDATE statement transforms the values of the specified columns in one or more rows in the table or view. Syntax:

Inserting objects in pl sql, Inserting Objects: You can use the INSERT...

Inserting Objects: You can use the INSERT statement to add objects to an object table. In the illustration below, you insert a Person object into the object table persons:

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd