What is the exact difference between relational algebra and relational calculus? At most references, it will be
Relational algebra is procedural and calculus is non-procedural.
What do these terms mean?
We can solve all problems using relational algebra. So why we would use relational calculus?
Relational algebra deals with more specific set expressions, join operations, and set combinations while relational calculus mostly sticks to AND-OR relations and either the existential (
There exists an x such that [condition(x)]
) or the universal (For all x's, [condition(x)]
) quantifiers. Relational algebraic expressions are similar to an assembly language in functionality and specificity while relational calculus expressions are closer to a high-level programming language in appearance and functionality.This presentation from an NYU class was helpful to me.