An Improved Algorithm for Generating Database Transactions from Relational Algebra Specifications

TL;DR

This paper presents enhancements to an algorithm that converts relational algebra specifications into efficient, robust database transactions, improving the Alchemy tool's performance and reliability.

Contribution

It introduces an improved algorithm for translating relational algebra formulas into database transaction code, advancing the automation and robustness of Alloy-based specifications.

Findings

Enhanced algorithm increases transformation efficiency

Improved robustness of transaction generation

Better integration with persistent databases

Abstract

Alloy is a lightweight modeling formalism based on relational algebra. In prior work with Fisler, Giannakopoulos, Krishnamurthi, and Yoo, we have presented a tool, Alchemy, that compiles Alloy specifications into implementations that execute against persistent databases. The foundation of Alchemy is an algorithm for rewriting relational algebra formulas into code for database transactions. In this paper we report on recent progress in improving the robustness and efficiency of this transformation.