A glossary of temporal database concepts

TLDR

The glossary presents well‑defined, widely used concepts specific to temporal databases. The paper aims to establish common terminology as an initial step toward a consensus Temporal SQL. It defines and names concepts, explains the decisions made, lists competing alternatives with their pros and cons, and provides evaluation criteria for naming. The paper compiles e‑mail discussion results that informed the first book on temporal databases, scheduled for publication in January 1993.

Abstract

This glossary contains concepts specific to temporal databases that are well-defined, well understood, and widely used. In addition to defining and naming the concepts, the glossary also explains the decisions made. It lists competing alternatives and discusses the pros and cons of these. It also includes evaluation criteria for the naming of concepts. This paper is a structured presentation of the results of e-mail discussions initiated during the preparation of the first book on temporal databases, Temporal Databases: Theory, Design, and Implementation, published by Benjamin Cummings, to appear January 1993. Independently of the book, an initiative aimed at designing a consensus Temporal SQL is under way. The paper is a contribution towards establishing common terminology, an initial subtask of this initiative.