A mini-track on parallel and distributed database systems: track coordinators' introduction

The mini-track is organized as follows. Session 1, system overviews, takes a broad look at multidatabase style systems and tools for creating them. It shows how the various aspects of large scale databases fit together to provide a coherent global solution. Session 2, distributed query processing, explores efficient mechanisms for global query processing. It illustrates the functions and structures needed to provide good performance to global users. Session 3, query optimization, discusses different methods for optimizing global queries. Cost criteria, correctness aids, and the possibilities of hardware assists are presented. Session 4, aspects of distributed transactions, illustrates the uses and different paradigms associated with transaction processing in distributed databases and multidatabase systems. Session 5, fault tolerance, explores various aspects of preparing for and dealing with various faults in distributed databases and multidatabase systems.>