Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Patent
1998-10-29
2000-10-17
Black, Thomas G.
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
707 1, 707509, G06F 1540
Patent
active
061345423
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a database management system and to a method of transmitting different types of data sets.
Today's standard databases normally work in a relational manner, i.e. data which are stored in different tables are linked by defining so-called key fields by which connections can be established between data sets that are stored in different tables.
Whenever there are many different tables, the provision of a multitude of different tables or "files" within a database and their linkage via key fields make the structure of the database complicated, whereby work with the database is rendered difficult.
Furthermore, when data sets are transmitted between a transmitter and a receiver, the difficulty arises that the receiver must be in a position to correctly sense the type and structure of the individual data sets transmitted, so that after a possibly necessary restructuring the individual data sets received can be stored in a table which is suited therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a database management system and a method of transmitting different types of data sets with the aid of which the said problems can be overcome.
This object is achieved in an inventive manner by the subject matter of claim 1 and the subject matter of claim 5.
Preferred developments of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A illustrates an upper left portion of a first table;
FIG. 1B illustrates an upper right portion of the first table;
FIG. 1C illustrates a lower left portion of the first table;
FIG. 1D illustrates a lower right portion of the first table;
FIG. 2A illustrates a left portion of a second table; and
FIG. 2B illustrates a right portion of the second table.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The suggested database management system is based on the finding that it is disadvantageous to store different types of data sets, such as bookkeeping data, order data, address data, etc. in different tables, with a connection between the individual types of data sets being only achievable via so-called key fields. According to the present invention it is therefore suggested that only a single common table should be provided for storing all of the different types of data sets. To be able to recognize for each data set, despite a joint storage within a single table, which type of information is stored in the corresponding fields, each data set has a definition field which throws light on the fields valid for a specific data set within the table, and on the types of information stored therein.
In illustrative words, particular general information types are preferably allocated to individual columns of the table, so that fields of different data set types, which, however, jointly refer to a particular general information type, are stored in the same column of the table. Hence, it is not absolutely necessary that each individual field is completely described via the definition field of a data set, but it is possible to draw conclusions already from the allocation of a specific field of a data set to a specific column of the table, as to the type of information stored in the specific field while the data set is being read out.
Preferably, the individual data sets are organizationally structured in a plurality of columns such that the fields within a column of a data set are allocated to a common general information type, such as time, person, place, etc. A more exact field declaration for the fields of such a column is then again made via the definition field. This will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
Preferably, the definition field which is designated as "verb" in the embodiment described in the following text just represents a reference to an entry in a further table in which the complete field description is stored for the corresponding data set. However, it is also possible that the field declaration information addressed
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Schlatter, M., Furegati, R., Jeger, F., Schneider, H., Streckeisen, H., The Business Object Management System, IBM Systems Journal, vol. 33, No. 2, 1994, pp. 239-263.
Black Thomas G.
Shah Sanjiv
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