Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-07
2001-02-06
Kulik, Paul V. (Department: 2777)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185572
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computerized methods for accessing datastores, and in particular, to a computerized object-oriented method for accessing non-object-oriented datastores.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known in the art to use database management systems, such as IBM's IMS™ (Information Management System) database management system, to manage computerized datastores. Indeed, IMS™ has been used for decades and remains in use today. Currently, there is a need to access such “legacy” datastores using application programs developed by object-oriented programming systems (OOPS). However, there are few tools available to assist OOPS programmers.
One method for allowing object-oriented application programs to access data in an IMS™ datastore is through transaction wrappering, implemented in such products such as IBM's VisualAge™ IMS Connection product. Transaction wrappering creates a class having methods that retrieve data from the IMS™ datastore, create an object embodying the retrieved data, and manipulate the object in an object-oriented application program. The problem with this approach is that each object-oriented application requires substantial additional coding, both object-oriented and non-object-oriented, before it is able to access the data in the IMS™ datastore.
Another approach to accessing data in a non-relational, non-object-oriented datastore is to translate the non-relational datastore to a relational datastore, and use existing object-oriented programming techniques developed for relational datastores to access the data therein. The problem with this approach is that non-relational data, such as the hierarchical data found in an IMS™ datastore, does not map well to a relational datastore.
Thus, there is a need in the art for improved techniques for bridging between non-object-oriented datastores and object-oriented application programs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for representing data from non-object-oriented external datastores as queryable datastore persistent objects. A computerized system in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a “bridge” for locating a logical unit of data in a non-object-oriented datastore, for retrieving the data from the datastore, and for mapping the data retrieved from the datastore into a datastore persistent object so that the data is encapsulated within the datastore persistent object.
Various advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
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Blackman Kenneth R.
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Gates & Cooper
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kulik Paul V.
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