About the research
The research was focused on whether or not it is possible to automate the detection of issues between dependencies in an advanced transaction for parallel, distributed databases. The research results are discussed in a paper that is currently available to the public in two formats: DVI and PDF (DVI being of better quality). The research is solely the work of Daniel Owens, who benefited tremendously from conversations with Dr. Indrakshi Ray of Colorado State University, and will be independently published and copyrighted by Mr. Owens. The paper is intended to explain and provide insight into the research and especially into the POC. Definitions for the dependencies are available in both the paper and the GUI version's Help (note that abbreviations are used in the GUI for the dependencies).
Download the DVI version of the paper
Download the PDF version of the paper
The Proof-Of-Concept
What is it?
Automated Transaction Analyzer is free software designed to serve the needs of the database development community. It's only purpose is to allow developers to build models of advanced subtransactions when dealing with parallel, distributed database systems. The models are minimized on-the-fly (as you enter edges) and can be easily visualized if the GUI version is being used.
Do I need it?
This software is not likely to be useful unless you are developing a database that uses dependencies. The intended audience is described above, however the secondary audience is academia who are continuing research in this field. This software is provided under the GPL 2.0 and the research was funded in part by the United States National Science Foundation via Award IIS-0242258.
Which should I use?
The original proof-of-concept is written in Prolog and can be downloaded and used without the GUI. The GUI version completely relies on the POC, however, and merely adds a nice UI, so is strongly recommended for all users. It provides easy to read graphs showing the minimized tree and gives reasons why an edge cannot be added (conflicts, redundant, etc.) while anyone who uses just the POC will have to make calls to terms to discover such things. Furthermore, the GUI enables everyone, even those who know nothing of Prolog, to use the tool. The source is provided for those who wish to recompile the GUI (SWI-Prolog is interpreted, not compiled, so the POC is always source).
Download just the POC
Download the GUI+POC version
Download the GUI+POC source
Requirements
The GUI version requires the system have both SWI-Prolog installed and Java 1.5 or greater. The POC merely requires SWI-Prolog or a similar Prolog interpreter. The POC is run by calling transactionanalyzer.pl and making calls to the add/3 term. Using the GUI is as simple as running the executable (a Linux exec is provided by the same name as the Windows exec without the extension) telling it where your SWI-Prolog executable is located. If need be, you might also have to direct it to where your Prolog main file is (normally transactionanalyzer.pl unless you rename the file or wish to use your own). The software is highly adaptable and easy to modify. If you wish to recompile the GUI, you should download InterProlog.
Contact us about this software
While this software is provided under the GPL 2.0 and is part of a research project, DanielSecurities is providing the maintenance and support (free, of course). If you find a bug in the graphics rendering engine, please don't hesitate to let us know. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. You need not ask to modify or use this software if such activity is allowed under the GPL. For the email address, please .