Aspect-Oriented Database Systems

Recently, a set of new software development techniques – termed Aspect-Oriented Software Development (AOSD) – has become available that aims to support modularisation of systemic properties (also referred to as crosscutting-concerns) and their subsequent composition with other parts of the system.

Rashid focuses on the use of Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) techniques to modularise otherwise broadly scoped features in database systems like the transaction or the versioning model to improve their customisability, extensibility, and maintainability. His aim is to show how the use of AOP can transform the way we develop, use and maintain database systems. He also discusses how database systems can support AOP by providing means for storage and retrieval of aspects.

Aspect-Oriented Databases Systems shows the possible synergy between AOSD and database systems and is of particular interest for researchers, graduate students and software developers in database systems and applications.

Dr Awais Rashid is a lecturer at Computing Department, Lancaster University, UK where he teaches database technologies. His principal research interests are in object-oriented databases and aspect-oriented software development. He leads the Aspect-Oriented Databases initiative at Lancaster which introduces the principals of aspect-oriented development into database systems. He has given several invited seminars and tutorials at both national and international level on the topic of this book. He is serving on the program committees of several aspect-orientation related events including the International Aspect-Oriented Software Development Conference.