Pittendrigh Sandy, Jacobs Gwen
Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
Neuroinformatics. 2003;1(2):167-76. doi: 10.1007/s12021-003-0003-0.
The inherent complexity of traditional relational database systems is a key obstacle to more widespread use of database technology in the neuroscience community. As an alternative to relational technology, we propose a simpler semistructured data model for documenting laboratory procedures and results. The semistructured data model allows researchers to document their data in an organized, regularly formatted, machine-readable, and network accessible manner, without requiring the services of database professionals. We present proof-of-concept software, consisting of an HTML interface that communicates with a remotely located, semistructured database. We also discuss the importance of standardized terminology and the importance of building flexible data description systems that are more easily adapted and reconfigured to conform with standardized terminologies as they evolve.
传统关系数据库系统固有的复杂性是阻碍数据库技术在神经科学界更广泛应用的关键障碍。作为关系技术的替代方案，我们提出了一种更简单的半结构化数据模型，用于记录实验室程序和结果。该半结构化数据模型允许研究人员以一种有组织、格式规范、机器可读且可通过网络访问的方式记录他们的数据，而无需数据库专业人员的服务。我们展示了概念验证软件，它由一个与远程半结构化数据库通信的HTML界面组成。我们还讨论了标准化术语的重要性，以及构建灵活的数据描述系统的重要性，这种系统能够更轻松地适应和重新配置，以随着标准化术语的发展而与之保持一致。
