An Approach to Automatic Generation of Fourth Normal Form for Relational Database

Abstract

A new approach to the logical design of 4NF database shceme, which can be easily automated, is proposed. The main features of the approach are : introduction of a single attribute right hand side, extension of the concept of independent relations, semantic analysis, and adaoption of dependency matrix. The underlying viewpoints of functional relationships of the approach are different from Fagins in that we distinguish functional and multivalued dependency in terms of cardinality. An algorithm for automatic generation of fourth normal form is presented and implemented.