Spatio-temporal databases: contentions, components and consolidation

Spatio-temporal databases have been the focus of considerable research activity over a significant period. However, there are as of yet very few prototypes of complete systems, far less products that provide effective support for applications tracking changes to spatial and aspatial data over time. We contend that this is because much of the activity in spatio-temporal databases has focused on specific parts of the problem, at the expense of a more holistic view of database systems design and development. It is probably also the case that the database research community has been inclined to undervalue integration or consolidation activities. This paper outlines some contentions relating to spatio-temporal databases, with a view to pruning the space of possible paths that consolidation activities might follow. Suggestions are also made as to what areas are most likely to present challenges to a consolidation activity, in the light of a model architecture for a spatio-temporal database.