Grouping data in a database
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving an extended SQL (structured query language) data set defining an extended SQL, with the extended SQL including;
table definition syntax for defining tables including a plurality of columns,group definition syntax for defining groups of multiple columns, with each group of columns including a subset of the plurality of columns from a table, andgroup function syntax for applying a function to all of the data, and only the data, in the group of columns;
defining a first table using the table definition of the extended SQL, with the first table being stored on data storage hardware as a relational database that is structured according to a data definition language (DDL), with the first table being made up of a plurality of tuples, with each tuple respectively including a plurality of attribute values, and with each attribute value respectively corresponding to a column of a plurality of columns of the first table that are defined under the DDL;
defining a first group of columns within the first table using the group definition syntax of the extended SQL, with the first group of columns including at least two columns of the plurality of columns, and with the first group of columns including less than all columns of the plurality of columns; and
performing a first group function to all of the data, and only the data, in the first group of columns of the first table using the group function syntax of the extended SQL;
wherein the method makes a specific improvement to a way that computers operate by facilitating selective application of a database function to only a partial sub-set of columns in a table.
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Abstract
According to embodiments of the present invention, two or more attributes that are included in a plurality of attributes are aggregated into a group defined by a first data definition language syntax. The first data definition language syntax defines the group as having a groupID and one or more of an attribute definition defined in a comma-separated list and a group definition. The attribute definition is defined by a second data definition syntax. The first data definition language syntax includes the second data definition language syntax. The first data definition language syntax is structured in a manner to allow a database operation associated with the group to be applied to all attributes and/or groups included therein.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving an extended SQL (structured query language) data set defining an extended SQL, with the extended SQL including; table definition syntax for defining tables including a plurality of columns, group definition syntax for defining groups of multiple columns, with each group of columns including a subset of the plurality of columns from a table, and group function syntax for applying a function to all of the data, and only the data, in the group of columns; defining a first table using the table definition of the extended SQL, with the first table being stored on data storage hardware as a relational database that is structured according to a data definition language (DDL), with the first table being made up of a plurality of tuples, with each tuple respectively including a plurality of attribute values, and with each attribute value respectively corresponding to a column of a plurality of columns of the first table that are defined under the DDL; defining a first group of columns within the first table using the group definition syntax of the extended SQL, with the first group of columns including at least two columns of the plurality of columns, and with the first group of columns including less than all columns of the plurality of columns; and performing a first group function to all of the data, and only the data, in the first group of columns of the first table using the group function syntax of the extended SQL; wherein the method makes a specific improvement to a way that computers operate by facilitating selective application of a database function to only a partial sub-set of columns in a table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer program product comprising:
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a machine readable storage device; and computer code stored on the machine readable storage device, with the computer code including instructions for causing a processor(s) set to perform operations including the following; receiving an extended SQL (structured query language) data set defining an extended SQL, with the extended SQL including; table definition syntax for defining tables including a plurality of columns, group definition syntax for defining groups of multiple columns, with each group of columns including a subset of the plurality of columns from a table, and group function syntax for applying a function to all of the data, and only the data, in the group of columns; defining a first table using the table definition of the extended SQL, with the first table being stored on data storage hardware as a relational database that is structured according to a data definition language (DDL), with the first table being made up of a plurality of tuples, with each tuple respectively including a plurality of attribute values, and with each attribute value of each tuple respectively corresponding to a column of a plurality of columns of the first table that are defined under the DDL; defining a first group of columns within the first table using the group definition syntax of the extended SQL, with the first group of columns including at least two columns of the plurality of columns, and with the first group of columns including less than all columns of the plurality of columns; and performing a first group function to all of the data, and only the data, in the first group of columns of the first table using the group function syntax of the extended SQL; wherein the method makes a specific improvement to a way that computers operate by facilitating selective application of a database function to only a partial sub-set of columns in a table. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer system comprising:
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a processor(s) set; a machine readable storage device; and computer code stored on the machine readable storage device, with the computer code including instructions for causing the processor(s) set to perform operations including the following; receiving an extended SQL (structured query language) data set defining an extended SQL, with the extended SQL including; table definition syntax for defining tables including a plurality of columns, group definition syntax for defining groups of multiple columns, with each group of columns including a subset of the plurality of columns from a table, and group function syntax for applying a function to all of the data, and only the data, in the group of columns; defining a first table using the table definition of the extended SQL, with the first table being stored on data storage hardware as a relational database that is structured according to a data definition language (DDL), with the first table being made up of a plurality of tuples, with each tuple respectively including a plurality of attribute values, and with each attribute value of each tuple respectively corresponding to a column of a plurality of columns of the first table that are defined under the DDL; defining a first group of columns within the first table using the group definition syntax of the extended SQL, with the first group of columns including at least two columns of the plurality of columns, and with the first group of columns including less than all columns of the plurality of columns; and performing a first group function to all of the data, and only the data, in the first group of columns of the first table using the group function syntax of the extended SQL; wherein the method makes a specific improvement to a way that computers operate by facilitating selective application of a database function to only a partial sub-set of columns in a table. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification