What differentiates LifeLine and XAYA from
conventional Database Technologies?

Modular Design Approach: Implemented through a small set of tables whose structure does not change, (parts linked via metadata-tables.)

Creation of Data Views: Via composition of the base sets. Though the data changes, the structure of the queries is invariant. This is called

Explorer Mode: a method based on the mathematical procedure - composition of sets. An invariant query structure under varying attributes allows for automation. Explorer mode allows a great deal of flexibility in automated query generation but is slower than Report Mode. Explorer mode is ideal for exploring a large database, and graphically summarizing that exploration.

Analysis Framework: The results table in Explorer Mode has a particular structure, that was defined to support Bayesian analysis via the intersection of several base sets. Every subsequent analysis is then tied to the form of this results table.

Query Structure and Logical capabilities: Queries have the same structure, even though the tables and items being queried differ, allowing for automation. Queries are designed to effectively implement logical statements: AND, OR, NOT, so that defining Management Scenarios becomes a form of logic programming - but the user is not required to know a programming language; rather they are allowed to focus on the question they wish to ask using "point & click." This shifts the focus from the technicalities of query generation, to developing a strong "descriptive language" that provides logical definitions about how data from a given monitoring program should be compiled as useful information.

Automated Construction: All data models share a common form that originates from a small group of base tables, and the allowable relations among those tables --- i.e. the automated construction follows naturally from the modular design. Developer's Tools for Rapid Application Development (RAD) in the LifeLine system include: Database Information Tool, Preloader Tool, Model Generation Tool, Loader Tool.

Spatial Link: Because all the databases share a common form, if they have any common Spatial Info, it can be used to link them together, and various Spatial Link analysis operations can be defined, that allow data from one monitoring program to be related to data from another where they have common locations. Due to the common form of the base tables, Spatial Link analyses can be automated.

Benefits of Modularity I: Pricing System: The Pricing System, is based on the modularity of LifeLine, allowing tight definitions of components and the timelines required to construct them. So, a Load Module, A Report, A Linear Model can all be well defined. Clients pick the components they need, and directly see the price of the resulting application and what features they will be getting.

Benefits of Modularity II: Documentation System: For any application, the USER and Administration components of the manual are identical, and customization of manual is only to describe specific reports or analyses required for a particular application. This facilitates maintaining the documentation system, and customizing the documentation for different clients. It reduces the time required to learn how to work with new datasets. The user is introduced to the new data through the same interface and logical sequence of building queries.

Benefits of Modularity III: XAYA Toolkit
XAYA has been developed as a modular rapid application development toolkit that incorporates the core LifeLine functionality into a command-line scripting interface. For People who need to work with data but are not programmers, XAYA provides a small set of commands that allow the user to rapidly model, manage, and transform data, as well as do custom statistical calculations on large and complex data sets. In particular, XAYA will support incorporating business rules and business logic into flexible data driven models. For Software Developers who need to rapidly build and deploy information applications, XAYA provides a library of core functions that integrate database functionality, logic, and statistical processing capabilities. Internally we are currently using the XAYA toolkit to build the next generation of LifeLine. You can use the XAYA toolkit to build your own lifeline.