Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-10
2001-05-15
Alam, Hosain T. (Department: 2172)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233583
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a report generation program for generating reports within a homogeneous or heterogeneous database system, and more particularly to a report generation program for generating reports within Lotus Notes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern data processing environments often distribute a user's data among a plurality of databases each having a unique data format and unique data manipulation procedures. Such database systems are referred to as “heterogeneous database systems” and include systems such as Lotus Notes produced by Lotus Incorporated.
A particular disadvantage of storing data within Lotus Notes is the time, skill and cost associated with generating reports based on the stored data. Specifically, to generate reports within Lotus Notes a user must learn the database structure (e.g., field names, organization, acronym meanings, etc.) of each database containing relevant data, the location of each database (e.g., which server stores the database and the connection path thereto), the query syntax of Lotus Notes, as well as how to program Lotus Notes to collect, sort and display data. Additionally, each user within the database system must be notified each time the structure of a given database is changed (e.g., when a field is added to or removed from the database), and each time a database is added or deleted from the system. When such a change occurs each user must adjust his or her query syntax accordingly, and must revise the program used to sort and display the data.
Alternatively, reports can be generated from Lotus Notes databases using a second database program (such as data warehousing or data mining products that have reporting features). However, additional costs are incurred to purchase the additional database software, and to train users in its operation. Use of a second database program requires data stored in the Lotus Notes databases to be copied to a second database (associated with the second database program); the use of a second database program therefore requires added administrative effort as the structure of the second database must be revised each time the structure of a corresponding Lotus Notes database is revised. Therefore additional operating time is required for both initial data migration and for data refresh steps that ensure data contained in the second database is updated as new data is stored in the Lotus Notes database. Moreover, to see the data being reported on, a user must transfer from the second database program to Lotus Notes, making report generation with the second database program awkward and inconvenient.
Accordingly, there is a need for simplified report generation within Lotus Notes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, provides for simplified report generation within a Lotus Notes database system. The inventive report generator provides two user paths, a general user path and an administrative user path. As described below, a general user need not learn the specific content, structure or location of any database within the system, and neither a general user nor an administrative user need learn Lotus Notes query syntax or programming methods.
In operation, before report generation can begin, an administrative user enters initial information regarding his or her specific database environment in an initialization file within the inventive report generator. The initial information includes the name of each database within the user's database system, the location (server and path) of each database, the number of, and a list of the fields to be read from each database during database searching (i.e., the retrieved field list), and the field categories and the fields within each category (i.e., the field category options) the administrative user designates as searchable and is preferably saved in a table (i.e., an Initialization Table). Typically this initial information is entered once and only is altered if the database environment changes.
Preferably the administrative user also enters initial information in the initialization file regarding report format. Specifically, the inventive report generator preferably provides a blank Report Template in which the administrative user enters field names in the order the administrative user wishes the field names to be displayed in a report, and then saves the Report Template with an identifiable name. A plurality of saved Report Templates, containing varying field names in varying orders, provides a user a plurality of report formats from which to choose. Thus, the administrative user fills out the blank Report Template and saves the Report Template as many times as desired to provide a plurality of report format options. After the user-specific initial information is provided in the Initialization Table and in the saved Report Templates, the report generator is ready to generate reports for a general user. Specifically, the report generator displays a form from which a general user can select databases and fields to search, and can select a report format for the information collected during the search. Thus, as used herein, user-selected, user-selectable and the like describe selection which does not require the user to manually generate program code. Likewise, user-provided or user-specified information is information provided or specified without requiring the user to manually generate program code.
As is apparent from the above description, the inventive report generator allows a general user to generate reports within either a heterogeneous or a homogenous Lotus Notes database system, without requiring a general user to know the content, structure or location of the various databases in the system. Moreover, a user, whether general or administrative, generates reports within Lotus Notes without writing any Lotus Notes programming code, and searches Lotus Notes databases without manually generating a single query string. The report generator locates the databases, generates the query strings, searches the databases, retrieves the desired information and organizes and displays the information, allowing for customized report generation with merely a few clicks of a mouse.
The structure and content of the initialization file, allows the report generator to adapt easily to any database environment. The Initialization Table and the Report Template Forms may be updated at any time and the report generator adapts dynamically. Further, the inventive report generator realizes quick report generation times as data is stored and manipulated within Lotus Notes and no data migration occurs.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
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Alam Hosain T.
Corrielus Jean M.
Dugan & Dugan
International Business Machines - Corporation
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