Automatic Relational Database Restructuring

When data requirements change and the existing database structure no longer reflects the current state of the Universe of Discourse, transformation of the information system is inevitable. Although required changes usually involve the addition or deletion of Information, part of the process can be considered rule-changing but information-preserving. This part of the transformation process, i.e. restmcturing, can be partially accomplished by an algorithm executing several adjustments on a working information system. The premise of this approach is formed by the statement that there is no fundamental distinction between data and metadata. The purpose of this paper is to introducé an elementary operations approach aimed at the automatic reorganization of the structure and contents of a relational database, and the affected application programs.