Semantics in Databases

The term “Semantics” is one of the overloaded in computer science and used in various meaning. This variety can also be observed in database literature. In computer linguistics or web research, semantics is a component of the language which associates words or components of a grammar with their meaning (linguistic content). In modeling and specification, semantics assigns set-theoretic denotations to formulas in order to characterize truth. At the same time, semantics is used as the basis for certain methods of proof (truth and proof semantics in semiotics). In programming language technology, semantics is often used in the sense of operational semantics, i.e. consists in an interpretation of commands of a programming language by machine operations. This widespread usage of the term “semantics” has led to very different goals, methods, and applications. Semantics includes at the same time the interpretation of utterances, temporal, contextual, subjective and other aspects. Semantics is either considered operationally on the basis of applications or implementations, or logically associating a database state or a collection of database states to a truth value or pragmatically by relating utterances to the understanding of the user. These three understandings may be mapped to each other.