Temporal integrity constraints specify the way in which a temporal database may be updated in order to maintain semantic integrity with respect to temporal and non-temporal data elements as these change over time. Temporal indeterminacy evolves from uncertainty in the measurement of time and from changes to or differences in the granularity of temporal elements under consideration. We introduce an algebra for indeterminate time intervals and define the semantics of potential satisfaction of temporal integrity constraints. We propose a temporal integrity constraint frame-work which supports temporal indeterminacy by employing a novel representation for indeterminate time intervals and discuss the optimization of integrity maintenance by the compilation and simplification of constraints.
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