Project:M36 Relational Algebra Engine

Introduction

Project:M36 implements a relational algebra engine as inspired by the writings of Chris Date.

Description

Unlike most database management systems (DBMS), Project:M36 is opinionated software which adheres strictly to the mathematics of the relational algebra. The purpose of this adherence is to prove that software which implements mathematically-sound design principles reaps benefits in the form of code clarity, consistency, performance, and future-proofing.

Project:M36 can be used as an in-process or remote DBMS.

Project:M36 is written entirely in the Haskell programming language.

Use-Cases

Project:M36 supports multiple frontends which target different audiences.

• learn about the relational algebra via TutorialD
• store and manipulate databases
• use Project:M36 as a native Haskell database backend

Documentation

1. Installation and Introduction to Project:M36
2. Introduction to the Relational Algebra
3. TutorialD Tutorial
4. Transaction Graph Operators
5. On NULL (in SQL)
6. Persistent Library Driver
7. ProjectM36.Client Library
8. Adding New Data Types
9. ACID Database Properties

Development

Project:M36 is developed in Haskell and compiled with GHC.

Important modules:

1. Relation - represents a relation in the relational algebra and implements the relational operators
2. Relational Expressions - represents a composable abstract syntax tree for the relational algebra
3. Tutorial D Interpreter - one available frontend to evaluate relational expressions
4. ProjectM36.Client- user-facing native Haskell library

Other modules include:

• displaying a relation as HTML
• displaying a relation in the terminal
• displaying a relation using gnuplot
• relational expression static optimizer
• relational expression cost-based optimizer
• relational error enumeration
• import of CSV as a relation and export of a relation to CSV
• import of TutorialD from files