I'm not a professional dba or dbd, but I'm proficient in the basics of
database design and sql. I want to create a database of math
definitions, and I'm wondering how one would go about creating a
database that contains mathematical notation (and I'm not just talking
about basic symbols where I could get away with ascii code). I need
to be able to insert a wide variety of mathematical expressions, from
fractions to integrals, into fields (just like you can enter in-line
math symbols in MS Word using equation editor). I have no clue how to
go about this. Is it a matter of developing certain programming
skills/languages? Would such a capabliltiy be proprietary (dbms-
specific)? Is it possible at all? Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

I would not do this in SQL. Google around for document tools that
work with LaTEX, the standard used by math journals and text books.
SQL is not the answer to everything.

One way to implement this is to use the Mathematical Markup Language
(MathML). MathML is based on XML and is used for describing mathematical
notation and encoding both its structure and content. The main purpose of
MathML is to enable mathematics to be used on Internet, but since it is XML
based it is widely used in applications that can process XML.

SQL Server supports Unicode and also SQL Server 2005 adds support for XML
data type. There are many parsers, and any browser can serve as presentation
layer.

See more info on the official W3C site at the links below:
http://www.w3.org/Math/whatIsMathML.html
http://www.w3.org/Math/
http://www.w3.org/TR/2007/WD-MathML3-20070427/
http://www.w3.org/Math/XSL/
http://www.w3.org/Math/XSL/pmathml2.xml
http://www.w3.org/Math/XSL/csmall2.xml

I have seen some applications that use MathML to store mathematical
notations, but developed in Oracle (still storing in XML columns).

HTH,

Plamen Ratchev
http://www.SQLStudio.com

How is this standard doing? I think I might be behind the curve,
since I have not done any math writing in a very long time. LaTEX was
the standard in the US for the American Mathematical Association
papers and other journals. It was also popular with textbook
publishers because you could get Knuth's Metafont symbols for
typesetting.

On Nov 30, 5:43 pm, "Plamen Ratchev" <Pla... (AT) SQLStudio (DOT) com> wrote:
Very helpful post. Thank you.

MathML is pretty good, it can support Knuth's Metafont symbols and far
beyond that (there is even a group clarifying implementation details for
Arabic mathematical notation:
http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/NOTE-arabic-math-20060131/). I have seen LaTEX and
it is developed more for high quality typesetting systems, while MathML is
virtually applicable to any system that can handle XML.

The standard has been moving well. It is in its third version (last update
from April 2007: http://www.w3.org/TR/2007/WD-MathML3-20070427/). The
working group (http://www.w3.org/TR/2007/WD-MathML3...appendixi.html)
is very diversified with people from academic and business organizations
from around the world (Opera, Boeing, University of Helsinki, Microsoft,
Mathematical Association of America, University of Edinburg, and many more),
which helps to move it in the right direction.

About two years ago I have seen some reports from mathematical conferences
that MathML is in fact used as a protocol for communication between
scientific entities.

Plamen Ratchev
http://www.SQLStudio.com