Hyperqueries: Dynamic Distributed Query Processing on the Internet

In this paper we propose both a reference architecture for building scalable and dynamic virtual market places and a new framework for dynamic query processing based on so-called HyperQueries which are essentially query evaluation sub-plans “sitting behind” hyperlinks. Architecting an electronic market place as a data warehouse by integrating all the data from all participating enterprises in one centralized repository incurs severe problems. Using HyperQueries, application integration is achieved via dynamic distributed query evaluation plans. The electronic market place serves as an intermediary between clients and providers executing their sub-queries referenced via hyperlinks. The hyperlinks are embedded as attribute values within data objects of the intermediary’s database. Retrieving such a virtual object will automatically initiate the execution of the referenced HyperQuery in order to materialize the entire object. All administrative tasks in such a B2B market place can be modeled as e-services and executed by the participants’ local administrators. Thus, sensitive data remains under the full control of the data providers.