An abstract interpretation framework for termination analysis of active rules

Abstract

A crucial requirement for active databases is the ability to analyse the behaviour of the active rules. A particularly important type of analysis is termination analysis. We define a framework for modelling the execution of active rules, based on abstract interpretation. Specific methods for termination analysis are modelled as specific approximations within the framework. The correctness of a method can be established by proving two generic requirements provided by the framework. This affords the opportunity to compare and verify existing methods for termination analysis of active rules, and also to develop new ones.