At the crossroads of database systems and fuzzy sets

Abstract

Research activities on fuzzy sets and databases began more or less at the same time, about thirty years ago. Outstanding results have been reached in each of these areas, among which numerous systems and products used in practical applications. However, one can notice that the interaction level between the two domains remains low despite i) the potential complementarity of the topics dealt with in each area and ii) the research activity deployed by some groups along the theme usually called "fuzzy databases". This paper offers a good opportunity to point out important lines of research investigated by the fuzzy database community during the past years and to focus on some current trends through a collection of presentations made by invited speakers.