Rapid software development in a database framework — A case study

Several researchers have recently considered a database support to enhance the process of programming. Yet there are very few, if at all, working models which could prove that the idea is sound. This paper presents an example of a software system prototyped in Prolog. Within one language system there was a provision to develop a database of structured objects (e.g., parse trees), to create a natural language interface and to write a semi-compiler. The experiences convince us that software prototyping in Prolog is unusually rapid. Much of the conveniences are due to the database and specification organized programming which is inherent to Prolog. Further enhancement will come from the use of database tools like error recovery, concurrency control, integrity constraint, etc. Prolog thus offers potentials for software development environments far beyond the existing ones.