Apparatus and method for null representation in database object

Details Apparatus and method for null representation in database object Apparatus and method for null representation in database object

1997-10-31

2000-08-29

Amsbury, Wayne

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

G06F 1730

Patent

active

061122106

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and process for storing representations of information objects having null values in a database are disclosed. A null object is established in memory associated with an information-bearing object. The null object has an attribute null value corresponding to each data-bearing attribute of the information-bearing object. Each attribute null value is set to a value indicating whether the corresponding attribute of the information-bearing object is null, not null, or not capable of having a null value. The null object also has an atomic null value that indicates whether the entire information-bearing object is null. When the information-bearing object is to be accessed, the null object is first accessed to determine whether the entire information-bearing object or any attributes thereof are null. Accordingly, unnecessary retrieval and manipulation of the information-bearing object is avoided.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5437027 (1995-07-01), Bannon et al.
patent: 5701472 (1997-12-01), Koerber et al.
patent: 5838965 (1998-11-01), Kavanagh et al.

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