Describing differences between overlapping databases [Elektronische Ressource] / von Heiko Müller

Institut für Informatik Dissertation Describing Differences between Overlapping Databases zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doktor der Naturwissenschaften (doctor rerum naturalium) eingereicht an der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin von Diplom-Informatiker Heiko Müller, geboren am 29. Oktober 1970 in Berlin Präsident der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Prof. Dr. Christoph Markschies Dekan der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät II: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Coy Gutachter: 1. Prof. Johann-Christoph Freytag, Ph.D. 2. Prof. Ulf Leser 3. Prof. Bertram Ludäscher Datum der Einreichung: 22. April 2008 Datum der Promotion: 19. Dezember 2008 ii Acknowledgements I thank my advisors Prof. Johann-Christoph Freytag and Prof. Ulf Leser for their support, their helpful advice, and the time they spend with me in informative discussions during the preparation of this the-sis. I especially want to thank Prof. Freytag for his always open words and the patience he had with me during my work. His database department at the Humboldt University Berlin provided a really inspiring research environment for me. Prof. Leser was the one who created the idea of writing this thesis in me. His valuable and challenging comments throughout my work significantly influenced the topic of this thesis and helped to improve its final outcome.