Efficient evaluation for a subset of recursive queries

Abstract We consider the efficient evaluation of recursive queries in logic databases where the queries are expressed using a Datalog program (function-free Horn-clause program) that contains only regularly or linearly recursive predicates. Using well-known results on graph traversal, we develop an efficient algorithm for evaluating relations defined by a binary-chain program. We also present a transformation by which the evaluation of a subset of queries involving nonbinary relations can be reduced to the evaluation of binary-chain queries. This transformation is guided by the choice of bound arguments in the query, and the bindings are propagated through the program so that in the evaluat…