A new on-line query language and storage structure for a database machine is presented. By including a mathematical model in the interpreter the query language has been substantially simplified so that no reference to relation names is necessary. By storing the model as a single joined normal form (JNF) file, it has been possible to exploit the powerful search capability of the Content Addressable File Store (CAFS®; CAFS is a registered trademark of International Computers Limited) database machine.

New hardware is described which allows the rapid execution of queries demanding the joining of physically stored relations. The main feature of the hardware is a special store which can rapidly remember or recall data. This data might be pointers from one file to another, in which case the memory helps with queries on joins of files. Alternatively, the memory can help remove redundant data during projection, giving a considerable speed advantage over conventional hardware.