RFC 195 (rfc195) - Page 1 of 4

Data computers-data descriptions and access language

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Next >
Network Working Group                                        G. H. Mealy
Request for Comments: 195                                           HARV
NIC 7140                                                   16 July, 1971
Categories:     D.4, D.7


        Data Computers -- Data Descriptions and Access Language

   According to the minutes of the NWG meeting in May (RFC 164), it
   appears that a unified approach to Network data management is being
   proposed to CCA.  The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the
   problems involved and to suggest possible avenues of approach toward
   their resolution.  Parenthetically, I believe that a non-unified
   approach leads to even worse problems.

   My main remarks are predicated on a few assumptions and their
   consequences.  Since some or all may turn out to be wrong, it seems
   appropriate to state them explicitly.  The steps in the arguments
   leading from the assumptions to their consequences may appear to be
   (and in fact may be) less than obvious.  They are all of a piece,
   however, and revolve around the necessity for doing business with a
   number of dissimilar HOST systems while attempting to make it
   unnecessary for an individual user or user program to know the
   details of data file organization and representation.  Given this as
   an objective, I believe that the arguments are quite direct.

   Assumptions
   ------------

      1. We face the usual set of naming, cataloging, protection,
         backup, etc. problems.

         (I say this only to dismiss the subject as far as the following
         is concerned.  In my estimation, these problems and feasible
         solutions are reasonably well understood; our real problem in
         this area is in reaching agreement on specifics while leaving
         sufficient ratholes for future expansion).

      2. Files stored will contain arbitrarily complex data objects.

      3. The organization of any file (that is, the way its structure is
         mapped into physical storage by the data computer) will
         normally be unknown by the user.








Healy
Next >