Database Structure and Manipulation Capabilities of a Picture Database Management System (PICDMS)

The database structure and data manipulation capabilities of a generalized PICture Database Management System (PICDMS) are presented. They are based on a dynamic, stacked-image, logical database structure that uses gridded, rather than topological, data representation. A prototype PICDMS has been designed and implemented. A commercial version is being used as a generator of image processing programs. The system has novel capabilities for nonprogrammer users: it is able to 1) build multiple-variable databases from photographs and other two-dimensional data sources such as maps, drawings, etc., and 2) manipulate such data using simple logical commands. Physical organization and accessing strategies are outlined. A summary of the PICDMS data manipulation capabilities is presented and a subset of operations is illustrated with brief examples. A comprehensive example displays PICDMS capabilities and the programming advantages it possesses over other approaches.