PhD thesis: SQL Comprehension and Synthesis

TL;DR

This thesis introduces algorithms based on formal language theory to improve understanding and synthesis of SQL queries, providing interactive tools that enhance learning for students and nontechnical users.

Contribution

It presents novel algorithms for recognizing and generating SQL queries from natural language using formal language and automata theory, implemented into educational tools.

Findings

Participants found the tools intuitive and helpful for understanding SQL.

The algorithms effectively recognize simple and nested SQL query structures.

Tools can assist in correct SQL query formulation in educational and industrial settings.

Abstract

Structured Query Language (SQL) remains the standard language used in Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMSs) and has found applications in healthcare (patient registries), businesses (inventories, trend analysis), military, education, etc. Although SQL statements are English-like, the process of writing SQL queries is often problematic for nontechnical end-users in the industry. Similarly, formulating and comprehending written queries can be confusing, especially for undergraduate students. One of the pivotal reasons given for these difficulties lies with the simple syntax of SQL, which is often misleading and hard to understand. An ideal solution is to present these two audiences: undergraduate students and nontechnical end-users with learning and practice tools. These tools are mostly electronic and can be used to aid their understanding, as well as enable them to write correct SQL queries. This work proposes a new approach aimed at understanding and writing correct SQL queries using principles from Formal Language and Automata Theory. We present algorithms based on: regular expressions for the recognition of simple query constructs, context-free grammars for the recognition of nested queries, and a jumping finite automaton for the synthesis of SQL queries from natural language descriptions. As proof of concept, these algorithms were further implemented into interactive software tools aimed at improving SQL comprehension. Evaluation of these tools showed that the majority of participants agreed that the tools were intuitive and aided their understanding of SQL queries. These tools should, therefore, find applications in aiding SQL comprehension at higher learning institutions and assist in the writing of correct queries in data-centered industries.