Functional dependencies in XML documents

Abstract

This paper analyzes and points out the differences of functional dependencies when they are applied in XML documents and relational databases. A concept of functional dependency in XML documents based on path expressions is proposed. The advantage of this definition is that it can represent the functional dependencies not only between the values of attributes and elements, but also between the nodes of elements in an XML documents. Some inference rules of XML functional dependencies also given as a start point and foundation for further research. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.