Logic of knowledge and belief in the design of a distributed integrity kernel

Work on a language called ISL (Integrity Specification Language), which is intended to be used for the specification of integrity kernels in distributed databases, is reported. ISL is based on a form of interval temporal logic and provides a framework for a logic of knowledge and belief about data integrity. ISL is a design tool for integrity kernels in a distributed environment where the dynamic evaluation of data integrity based upon partial knowledge and informed judgment is required. The Clark and Wilson integrity model (1987) designed to prevent fraudulent and erroneous data modification is subsumed. An integrity system which includes extensions to the concept and functionality of a transaction manager as defined in the SDD-1 is given. A partial syntax for the ISL language is given. A temporal interval interpretation in the semantics of the 'unless' operator is introduced. This operator provides a basis for the logic of knowledge and belief applied to data integrity.< >