Automating Database Schema Evolution in Information System Upgrades

The complexity, cost, and down-time currently created by the database schema evolution process is the source of incessant problems in the life of information systems and a major stumbling block that prevent graceful upgrades. Furthermore, our studies shows that the serious problems encountered by traditional information systems are now further exacerbated in web information systems and cooperative scientific databases where the frequency of schema changes has increased while tolerance for downtimes has nearly disappeared. The PRISM project seeks to develop the methods and tools that turn this error-prone and time-consuming process into one that is controllable, predictable and avoids down-time. Toward this goal, we have assembled a large testbed of schema evolution histories, and developed a language of Schema Modification Operators (SMO) to express concisely these histories. Using this language, the database administrator can specify new schema changes, and then rely on PRISM to (i...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2009
• Where: HOTSWUP
• Authors: Carlo Curino, Hyun Jin Moon, Carlo Zaniolo
• Keywords: HOTSWUP 2009, Information Systems, Schema Changes, Schema Evolution, Software Engineering