The ramification problem in temporal databases: Concurrent execution

In this paper we study the ramification problem in the setting of temporal databases. Standard solutions from the literature on reasoning about action are inadequate because they rely on the assumptions that fluents persist and actions have effects on the subsequent situation only. We provide a solution based on an extension of the situation calculus and the work of McCain and Turner. More specifically, we study the case where there are conflicting effects of actions which executed concurrently, and we distinguish between hard and soft integrity constraints.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: IJIS
• Authors: Nikos Papadakis, Dimitris Plexousakis, Grigoris Antoniou
• Keywords: IJIS 2010, Ramification Problem, Soft Integrity Constraints, Temporal Databases