The project has 2 related sets of aims.
As a language, RAQUEL is to :
1. be a pure relational algebra language (unlike SQL) as defined by Date & Darwen's "The Third Manifesto";
2. incorporate a generalised extension of the ANSI-SPARC 3-layer DB architecture;
3. have the maximum ratio of functionality to conceptual complexity (as defined by Fred Brooks).
As a DBMS, RAQUEL is to :
1. have an Open Architecture, enabling a variety of DBMS configurations of 'black box' code, each installation optimised for a certain kind of DB;
2. be a stack of core black boxes to provide general DBMS functionality, plus a range of plug-in black boxes to support different physical storage mechanisms & scalar data types;
3. employ code designed with a mixture of functional, OO & other methods so as to minimise internal DBMS state complexity.
The 'Northumbria Website' (above RHS menu option) describes the vision, specification & design of the RAQUEL language & DBMS architecture.