SAVI: a new system for advanced SQL visualization

In this paper, we present SAVI, a new system for supporting the teaching and the understanding of the semantics of the SQL language. SAVI uses visualization to explain the way some of the SQL operators select and transform data from a target database. The contribution of our paper is two-fold. From a conceptual point of view, we improve the visualization approach provided by existing systems, in order to address the mental visualization problem faced by students when learning SQL. From a technological point of view, we leverage on emerging web technologies to develop a visualization infrastructure that can be seamlessly run on any standard HTML5-capable browser, without any need for an additional software or virtual machine installation.