MQL-a query language for multimedia database

Proposes a query language, called MQL (Multimedia Query Language), for specifying and manipulating various types of multimedia information efficiently. The data models that describe the multimedia applications and varieties of media data types are established with the object-oriented notation. What the query language consists of can be separated into two parts: one is the data definition language and the other is the data manipulation language. In addition to common functions, MQL provides additional features, such as historical alternative multimedia matching queries, complex queries and nested queries. These functions satisfy most of the requirements of multimedia database querying. Consequently, MQL offers more powerful data access mechanisms for multimedia applications.