Value-chained queries in analytic applications

• US 20030018634A1
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Informatica LLC (Informatica, Inc. (California))
• Original Assignee: Informatica Corporation
• Inventors: Shringeri, Sanjatha, Lyle, David, Kanchwala, Firoz
• Granted Patent: US 7,720,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor

Abstract

A method for facilitating the navigation of data generated using an analytic application. In particular, a method of creating and using a query chain to access data is described. The user designates some data field as being of particular interest. A list of further query chains for the user to choose from is shown. The user can select one of these query chains to further navigate the database, modify one of the query chains listed, or can create a new query chain by further navigating the database. The selections made by the user while further navigating the database are recorded and linked into a query chain, which can be stored for later use. Accordingly, user access to a field of particular interest is facilitated, and information of particular interest can be accessed in a timely manner.

Claims

1. A method for navigating a database generated by an analytic application, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving operational data from a data source;

b) generating metrics from said operational data using said analytic application; and

c) executing a query chain command initiated by a user wherein, responsive to said query chain command, a particular metric in said database is selected such that said user can navigate directly to said particular metric.

2. The method recited in claim 1, wherein a list of pre-defined query chain commands is presented for said user to choose from.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the contents of said list of pre-defined query chain commands are based upon which metric is selected by said user.

4. The method recited in claim 2, wherein said user modifies a pre-defined query chain command.

5. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving from said user a selection identifying a metric; and

recording said selection to form a query chain executed by said query chain command.

6. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving from said user a first selection identifying a metric;

receiving from said user a subsequent selection identifying another metric, wherein said subsequent selection is said particular metric; and

linking said first selection and said subsequent selection to form a query chain executed by said query chain command.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said step of linking further comprises the step of:

duplicating said first selection and said subsequent selection in response to a single user command.

8. The method recited in claim 6, wherein said linking is saved to a list of pre-defined query chains.

9. A computer system comprising:

a bus,

a memory unit coupled to said bus; and

a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for executing a method for navigating a database generated an analytic application, said method comprising the steps of;

a) receiving operational data from a data source;

b) generating metrics from said operational data using said analytic application; and

c) executing a query chain command initiated by a user wherein, responsive to said query chain command, a particular metric in said database is selected such that said user can navigate directly to said particular metric.

10. The method recited in claim 9, wherein a list of pre-defined query chain commands is presented for said user to choose from.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contents of said list of pre-defined query chain commands are based upon which metric is selected by said user.

12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein said user modifies a pre-defined query chain command.

13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

receiving from said user a selection identifying a metric; and

recording said selection to form a query chain executed by said query chain command.

14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said method further comprised the steps of:

receiving from said user a first selection identifying a metric;

receiving from said user a subsequent selection identifying another metric, wherein said subsequent selection is said particular metric; and

linking said first selection and said subsequent selection to form a query chain executed by said query chain command.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein said step of linking further comprises the step of:

duplicating said first selection and said subsequent selection in response to a single user command.

16. The computer system of claim 14, wherein said linking is saved to a list of pre-defined query chains.

18. The method recited in claim 17, wherein a list of query pre-defined chain commands is presented for said user to choose from.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the contents of said list of pre-defined query chain commands are based upon which metric is selected by said user.

20. The computer-usable medium of claim 18, wherein said user modifies a pre-defined query chain command.

21. The computer-usable medium of claim 17, wherein said computer-readable program code embodied therein causes said computer system to perform the steps of:

receiving from said user a selection identifying a metric; and

recording said selection to form a query chain executed by said query chain command.

22. The computer-usable medium of claim 17, wherein said computer-readable program code embodied therein causes said computer system to perform the steps of:

receiving from said user a first selection identifying a metric;

receiving from said user a subsequent selection identifying another metric, wherein said subsequent selection is said particular metric; and

linking said first selection and said subsequent selection to form a query chain executed by said query chain command.

23. The computer-usable medium of claim 22, wherein said computer-readable program code embodied therein causes said computer system to perform the step of:

duplicating said first selection and said subsequent selection in response to a single user command.

24. The computer-usable medium of claim 22, wherein said linking is saved to a list of pre-defined query chains.

17. A computer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer system to perform the steps of:

a) receiving operational data from a data source;

b) generating metrics from said operational data using said analytic application; and

c) executing a query chain command initiated by a user wherein, responsive to said query chain command, a particular metric in said database is selected such that said user can navigate directly to said particular metric.