System R
Encyclopedia
IBM System R is a database
system built as a research project at IBM
San Jose Research (now IBM Almaden Research Center) in the 1970s. System R was a seminal project: it was a precursor of SQL
, which has since become the standard relational
data query language
. It was also the first system to demonstrate that a relational database management system
could provide good transaction processing
performance. Design decisions in System R, as well as some fundamental algorithm
choices (such as the dynamic programming
algorithm used in query optimization
), influenced many later relational systems.
System R's first customer was Pratt & Whitney
in 1977. http://www.mcjones.org/System_R/SQL_Reunion_95/sqlr95-System.html
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
system built as a research project at IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
San Jose Research (now IBM Almaden Research Center) in the 1970s. System R was a seminal project: it was a precursor of SQL
SQL
SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
, which has since become the standard relational
Relational
Relational may refer to:*Relational *Relational aggression*Relational algebra*Relational art*Relational database*Relational calculus*Relational operator*Relational model*Relational theory*Relational philosophy*Relational psychoanalysis...
data query language
Query language
Query languages are computer languages used to make queries into databases and information systems.Broadly, query languages can be classified according to whether they are database query languages or information retrieval query languages...
. It was also the first system to demonstrate that a relational database management system
Relational database management system
A relational database management system is a database management system that is based on the relational model as introduced by E. F. Codd. Most popular databases currently in use are based on the relational database model....
could provide good transaction processing
Transaction processing
In computer science, transaction processing is information processing that is divided into individual, indivisible operations, called transactions. Each transaction must succeed or fail as a complete unit; it cannot remain in an intermediate state...
performance. Design decisions in System R, as well as some fundamental algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
choices (such as the dynamic programming
Dynamic programming
In mathematics and computer science, dynamic programming is a method for solving complex problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems. It is applicable to problems exhibiting the properties of overlapping subproblems which are only slightly smaller and optimal substructure...
algorithm used in query optimization
Query optimization
Query optimization is a function of many relational database management systems in which multiple query plans for satisfying a query are examined and a good query plan is identified. This may or not be the absolute best strategy because there are many ways of doing plans. There is a trade-off...
), influenced many later relational systems.
System R's first customer was Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
in 1977. http://www.mcjones.org/System_R/SQL_Reunion_95/sqlr95-System.html