Functional Dependencies Prof. Yin-Fu Huang CSIE, NYUST Chapter 11

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.1Introduction A functional dependency (FD) is basically a many-to- one relationship from one set of attributes to another within a given relvar.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.2Basic Definitions To distinguish between (a) the value of a given relvar at a given point in time and (b) the set of all possible values that the given relvar might assume at different times Case (a):  Let r be a relation, and let X and Y be arbitrary subsets of the set of attributes of r. Y is functionally dependent on X, X →Y, if and only if each X value in r has associated with it precisely one Y value in r.  Sample value (See Fig. 11.1) {S#}→{City} {S#,P#}→{S#,P#,City,Qty} {S#}→{Qty} {Qty}→{S#}

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.2Basic Definitions (Cont.) Case (b):  Let R be a relation variable, and let X and Y be arbitrary subsets of the set of attributes of R. Y is functionally dependent on X, X →Y, if and only if in every possible legal value of R, each X value has associated with it precisely one Y value. {S#}→{Qty} and {Qty}→{S#} do not hold “for all time” If relvar R satisfies the FD A →B and A is not a candidate key, then R will necessarily involve some redundancy. To find some way of reducing the set of FDs to a manageable size. The reason is that FDs represent certain integrity constraints, and we would thus like the DBMS to enforce them.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.3Trivial and Nontrivial Dependencies An FD is trivial if and only if the right-hand side is a subset of the left-hand side. {S#,P#}→{S#} The trivial dependencies can be eliminated.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.4Closure of a Set of Dependencies The set of all FDs that are implied by a given set S of FDs is called the closure of S, written S +. Armstrong‘s axioms: 1. Reflexivity: If B is a subset of A, A →B. 2. Augmentation: If A →B, then AC →BC. 3. Transitivity: If A →B and B →C, then A →C. The rules are complete and sound. 4. Self-determination: A →A. 5. Decomposition: If A →BC, then A →B and A →C. 6. Union: If A →B and A →C, then A →BC. 7. Composition: If A →B and C →D, then AC →BD. 8. General Unification Theorem: If A →B and C →D, then A ∪ (C-B)→BD.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.4Closure of a Set of Dependencies (Cont.) Example: R:{A,B,C,D,E,F} and the FDs A →BC B →E CD →EF AD →F is a member of the closure of the given set. 1. A →BC (given) 2. A →C (1, decomposition) 3. AD →CD (2, augmentation) 4. CD →EF (given) 5. AD →EF (3 and 4, transitivity) 6. AD →F (5, decomposition)

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.5Closure of a Set of Attributes Given a relvar R, a set Z of attributes of R, and a set S of FDs that hold for R, we can determine the set of attributes of R that are functionally dependent on Z-the closure Z + of Z under S. A simple algorithm for computing the closure Z + (See Fig. 11.2)

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.5Closure of a Set of Attributes (Cont.) Example: R:{A,B,C,D,E,F} and the FDs A →BC E →CF B →E CD →EF Computing the closure {A,B} + ={A,B,C,E,F} Given a set S of FDs, we can easily tell whether a specific FD X →Y follows from S, because that FD will follow if and only if Y is a subset of the closure X + of X under S. A superkey for a relvar R is a set of attributes of R that includes some candidate key of R as a subset. K is a superkey if and only if the closure K + of K under the given set of FDs is precisely the set of all attributes of R. K is a candidate key if and only if it is an irreducible superkey.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.6Irreducible Sets of Dependencies (1/3) If every FD implied by S1 is implied by S2, S2 is a cover for S1. Equivalence A set S of FDs to be irreducible if and only if it satisfies the following three properties: 1. The right side of every FD in S involves just one attribute. 2. The left side of every FD in S is irreducible, meaning that no attribute can be discarded from the determinant without changing the closure S No FD in S can be discarded from S without changing the closure S +.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.6Irreducible Sets of Dependencies (2/3) Example: 1. P#→{Pname,Color} P#→Weight P#→City 2. {P#,Pname}→Color P#→Pname P#→Weight P#→City 3. P#→P# P#→Pname P#→Color P#→Weight P#→City

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang 11.6Irreducible Sets of Dependencies (3/3) For every set of FDs, there exists at least one equivalent set that is irreducible. Example: R:{A,B,C,D} and the FDs A →BC B →C A →B A →B  B →C AB →C A →D AC →D A given set of FDs does not necessarily have a unique irreducible equivalent.

Advanced Database SystemYin-Fu Huang The End.