Nested relational data model
First Claim
1. An apparatus for processing data representable in a hierarchical form, the apparatus comprising:
- an importer having inputs to receive a schema and a structured document from a data source, wherein the importer outputs a first nested relational data model (NRDM) data structure representing the structured document according to the received schema;
an transformation engine that is capable of transforming the first NRDM data structure output by the importer into a second NRDM data structure according to a declarative specification of a transform; and
an exporter having an input to receive the second NRDM data structure, wherein the exporter outputs a transformed hierarchical document in a data structure other than an NRDM data structure in a form suitable for a data target.
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Abstract
In a data processing system, hierarchical documents or hierarchical messages are mapped to a Nested Relational Data Model to allow for transformation and manipulation using declarative statements. The resulting nested data can be converted to a relational format and mapped to multiple relational tables, and/or converted from a nested relational format to an external hierarchical format, such as XML. The system can specify and execute declarative rules to extract, transform, integrate, load and update hierarchical and relational data. The system can also be used for extending documents with relational and non-relational data and applying updates based on these documents to relational database targets. The system can also be used for mapping Nested Relational Data to function calls that accept tables as parameters and return multiple scalar and table parameters as output.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for processing data representable in a hierarchical form, the apparatus comprising:
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an importer having inputs to receive a schema and a structured document from a data source, wherein the importer outputs a first nested relational data model (NRDM) data structure representing the structured document according to the received schema;
an transformation engine that is capable of transforming the first NRDM data structure output by the importer into a second NRDM data structure according to a declarative specification of a transform; and
an exporter having an input to receive the second NRDM data structure, wherein the exporter outputs a transformed hierarchical document in a data structure other than an NRDM data structure in a form suitable for a data target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A metadata mapper comprising:
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an input for receiving a document description for hierarchical documents; and
an output for outputting an NRDM data structure representing the document description.
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9. An apparatus for transforming data representable in a hierarchical form, the apparatus comprising:
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an importer having inputs to receive a schema and a structured document from a data source, from a data transformer, or from both, wherein the importer outputs a first nested relational data model (NRDM) data structure representing the structured document according to the received schema;
an transformation engine that is capable of transforming the first NRDM data structure output by the importer into a second NRDM data structure according to a declarative specification of a transform; and
an exporter having an input to receive the second NRDM data structure, wherein the exporter outputs a transformed hierarchical document in a data structure other than an NRDM data structure in a form suitable for a data target.
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10. A method for providing data to an application through a data platform in a computer system in response to request from the application, the method comprising:
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accepting declarative rules for accessing the data from data sources and declarative rules for transforming the data into a format requested by the application;
mapping relational and non-relational data sources to an NRDM data structure;
interpreting a request;
retrieving data from the data sources;
transforming the data according to the declarative rules; and
returning the transformed data to the application. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for updating a plurality of data targets from a message, comprising:
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making an update request through a data-oriented interface;
specifying declarative rules for updating the data targets;
importing metadata that maps relational and non-relational data targets to NRDM data structures;
interpreting incoming update requests;
transforming the data according to the declarative rules; and
updating the data targets. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of providing input to an application expecting one or more tables as parameters to an input message, the method comprising:
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mapping data in a NRDM data structure to function parameters; and
making a function calls to the application using the NRDM mapped data structure.
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Specification