Efficient discovery of keys in a database

摘要

A method and system for discovering keys in a database. A minimal set of non-keys of the database are found. The database includes at least two entities and at least two attributes. The minimal set of non-keys includes at least two non-keys. Each entity independently includes a value of each attribute. A set of keys of the database is generated from the minimal set of non-keys. Each key of the generated set of keys independently is a unitary key consisting of one attribute or a composite key consisting of at least two attributes.

主权项

1. A method for discovering keys in a database, said method comprising:
a processor of a computer system finding a minimal set of non-keys of the database, said database comprising a plurality of entities and a plurality of attributes, said minimal set of non-keys comprising a plurality of non-keys, each entity independently comprising a value of each attribute; and said processor generating a set of keys of the database from the minimal set of non-keys, each key of the generated set of keys independently being a unitary key consisting of one attribute of the plurality of attributes or a composite key consisting of at least two attributes of the plurality of attributes.