Method for the administration of a data base

• US 20030033315A1
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Software AG
• Original Assignee: Software AG
• Inventors: Winkler, Kay Hans-Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,051,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/30 of unstructured textual data document management systems G06F16/93
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/986 Document structures and storage, e.g. HTML extensions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for administrating a data base comprising a document set, a schema and a repository. The data base comprises a structure index, into which a document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference of the referenced document is mappable as supplementary path reference. Further at least one schema path reference is mappable into the structure index as missing path reference. The invention relates to a data base. The data base is installed for administration by the inventive administration method. The invention relates to a computer system with a storage unit and a central processing unit. The storage unit of the computer system includes a data base, which is administrated according to the invention by means of the central processing unit.

Claims

1. Method for administrating a data base comprising a document set for reception of least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further

comprising a schema which comprises a first node to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

wherein the data base is characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable;

wherein the method comprises the steps;

searching the repository, for checking if the structure path reference of the document corresponds to a schema path reference of the schema,

and—

if so—

mapping the document reference in the repository of the data base while assigning the document reference to the schema path reference;

and—

if not—

characterized by the steps;

mapping the document reference into the structure index of the data base, in case the document reference is not yet mapped into the structure index;

mapping the structure path reference as a supplementary path reference which is assigned to the document reference, into the structure index of the data base, in case the supplementary path reference is not yet mapped, while assigned to the document reference, into the structure index.

2. Method according to claim 1,

characterized by the steps:

checking if in the structure index of the data base for a document, which is deleted from the data base, an entry of the document reference exists, and—

if so—

checking if at least an entry of a missing path reference exists, which corresponds to the document reference, and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified missing path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

checking if at least one entry of a supplementary path reference exists, which is assigned to the document reference and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified supplementary path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

deleting the document reference from the structure index of the data base.

3. Method according to claim 1,

characterized in that the structure index is provided like a list and comprises a document list for reception of the document reference of the document stored in the data base.

4. Method according to claim 3,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a missing path list for reception of the schema path references as missing path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

5. Method according to claim 3,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a supplementary path list for reception of the structure path references as supplementary path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

6. Method according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the structured document is formatted in a markup language, and in that each position in the structure respectively each data element is marked by a tag of the markup language.

7. Method according to claim 6,

characterized in that

the markup language is provided as XML.

8. Method for administrating a data base comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further

comprising a schema which comprises a first node to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

wherein the data base is characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable;

wherein the method comprises the steps;

searching the repository, to check if the structure path reference of the document corresponds to a schema path reference of the schema,

and—

if so—

mapping the document reference into the repository of the data base while assigning the document reference to the schema path reference,

characterized by the steps;

searching the document, to check if the schema path reference corresponds to a structure path reference being assigned to the document;

and—

if not—

mapping the document reference in the structure index of the data base, in case the document reference is not yet mapped into the structure index;

as well as

mapping the schema path reference as a missing path reference, which is assigned to the document reference, into the structure index of the data base, in case the missing path reference is not yet mapped, while assigned to the document reference, into the structure index.

9. Method according to claim 8,

characterized by the steps:

checking if in the structure index of the data base for a document, which is deleted from the data base, an entry of the document reference exists, and—

if so—

checking if at least an entry of a missing path reference exists, which corresponds to the document reference, and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified missing path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

checking if at least one entry of a supplementary path reference exists, which is assigned to the document reference and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified supplementary path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

deleting the document reference from the structure index of the data base.

10. Method according to claim 8,

characterized in that the structure index is provided like a list and comprises a document list for reception of the document reference of the document stored in the data base.

11. Method according to claim 10,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a missing path list for reception of the schema path references as missing path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

12. Method according to claim 10,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a supplementary path list for reception of the structure path references as supplementary path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

13. Method according to claim 8,

characterized in that

the structured document is formatted in a markup language, and in that each position in the structure respectively each data element is marked by a tag of the markup language.

14. Method according to claim 13,

characterized in that

the markup language is provided as XML.

15. Method for determination of a data base schema, which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, by means of a set of one or a plurality of structured documents, comprising for each data element of each document of the set the steps of:

tree-walking the path in the structure of the document from the first node of the schema in the direction of a node corresponding to the position of the first data element;

inserting that node into the schema, which, prior to reaching the data element, is sequential to the last node present in the schema;

repeating the preceding steps until the data element is reached.

16. Method for mapping a data base schema, which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, into a repository of the data base, into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

comprising the steps for each node:

mapping the schema path into the repository; and

mapping the schema path reference into the repository while assigning the schema path reference to the schema path.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the data base is characterized by a document counter for mapping the number of documents stored in the data base and wherein the method is characterized by the steps:

counting up a document counter, if the first respectively each further document of the set is mapped respectively detected for the first time and

counting down the document counter, if a document is deleted from the data base.

18. Method according to claim 16,

wherein a node counter is assigned to each node of the schema,

characterized by the steps:

counting up a node counter if the first respectively each further document of the set is mapped respectively detected and the document comprises a data element at a position in the hierarchical structure of the document corresponding to the node and

counting down the node counter if a document is deleted from the data base which comprises a data element at a position in the hierarchical structure of the document which corresponds to the node.

19. Method for administrating a data base comprising a document set for reception of least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further

comprising a schema which comprises a first node to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

wherein the data base is characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable;

wherein the method comprises the steps;

searching the repository, for checking if the structure path reference of the document corresponds to a schema path reference of the schema,

and—

if so—

mapping the document reference in the repository of the data base while assigning the document reference to the schema path reference;

characterized by the steps;

searching the document, to check if the schema path reference corresponds to a structure path reference being assigned to the document;

and—

if not—

characterized by the steps;

mapping the document reference into the structure index of the data base, in case the document reference is not yet mapped into the structure index;

mapping the structure path reference as a supplementary path reference which is assigned to the document reference, into the structure index of the data base, in case the supplementary path reference is not yet mapped, while assigned to the document reference, into the structure index;

mapping the schema path reference as a missing path reference, which is assigned to the document reference, into the structure index of the data base, in case the missing path reference is not yet mapped, while assigned to the document reference, into the structure index.

20. Method according to claim 19,

characterized by the steps:

checking if in the structure index of the data base for a document, which is deleted from the data base, an entry of the document reference exists, and—

if so—

checking if at least an entry of a missing path reference exists, which corresponds to the document reference, and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified missing path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

checking if at least one entry of a supplementary path reference exists, which is assigned to the document reference and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified supplementary path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

deleting the document reference from the structure index of the data base.

21. Method according to claim 19,

characterized in that the structure index is provided like a list and comprises a document list for reception of the document reference of the document stored in the data base.

22. Method according to claim 21,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a missing path list for reception of the schema path references as missing path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

23. Method according to claim 21,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a supplementary path list for reception of the structure path references as supplementary path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

24. Method according to claim 19,

characterized in that

the structured document is formatted in a markup language, and in that each position in the structure respectively each data element is marked by a tag of the markup language.

25. Method according to claim 24,

characterized in that

the markup language is provided as XML.

26. Data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further with a schema which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as supplementary path reference.

27. Data base according to claim 26,

characterized by a selectivity index in which, for each node of the schema, the ratio of the value of the assigned node counter to the value of the document counter can be entered.

28. Data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further comprising a schema, which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable, characterized by a structure index, into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference.

29. Data base according to claim 28,

characterized by a selectivity index in which, for each node of the schema, the ratio of the value of the assigned node counter to the value of the document counter can be entered.

30. Data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further with a schema which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as supplementary path reference and at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference.

31. Carrier medium comprising storage for a computer,

characterized by a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further with a schema which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as supplementary path reference.

32. Carrier medium according to claim 31,

characterized by a selectivity index in which, for each node of the schema, the ratio of the value of the assigned node counter to the value of the document counter can be entered.

33. Carrier medium comprising storage for a computer,

characterized by a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further comprising a schema, which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable, characterized by a structure index, into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference.

34. Carrier medium according to claim 33,

characterized by a selectivity index in which, for each node of the schema, the ratio of the value of the assigned node counter to the value of the document counter can be entered.

35. Carrier medium comprising storage for a computer,

characterized by a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further with a schema which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as supplementary path reference and at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference.

36. Computer system comprising

at least one central processing unit (CPU),

at least one storage unit with a storage means for storing data and/or commands for the central processing unit, being connected to the central processing unit;

at least one input means for inputting data and/or commands in the central processing unit and/or for inputting data in the storage unit,

at least one output means, for outputting data of the central processing unit and/or the storage unit,

characterized in that the storage means comprises a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further with a schema which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as supplementary path reference.

37. Computer system according to claim 36,

characterized by a selectivity index in which, for each node of the schema, the ratio of the value of the assigned node counter to the value of the document counter can be entered.

38. Computer system comprising

at least one central processing unit (CPU),

at least one storage unit with a storage means for storing data and/or commands for the central processing unit, being connected to the central processing unit;

at least one input means for inputting data and/or commands in the central processing unit and/or for inputting data in the storage unit,

at least one output means, for outputting data of the central processing unit and/or the storage unit,

characterized in that the storage means comprises a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further comprising a schema, which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable, characterized by a structure index, into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference.

39. Computer system according to claim 38,

characterized by a selectivity index in which, for each node of the schema, the ratio of the value of the assigned node counter to the value of the document counter can be entered.

40. Computer system comprising

at least one central processing unit (CPU),

at least one storage unit with a storage means for storing data and/or commands for the central processing unit, being connected to the central processing unit;

at least one input means for inputting data and/or commands in the central processing unit and/or for inputting data in the storage unit,

at least one output means, for outputting data of the central processing unit and/or the storage unit,

characterized in that the storage means comprises a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further with a schema which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as supplementary path reference and at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference.

41. Computer system comprising

at least one central procession unit (CPU)

at least one storage unit with a storage means for storing data and/or commands for the processing unit, being connected to the central processing unit,

at least one input means, for inputting data and/or commands in the central processing unit and/or for inputting data in the storage unit,

at least one output means, for outputting data of the central processing unit and/or the storage unit,

characterized in that the central processing unit is provided for carrying out a method for administrating a data base comprising a document set for reception of least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further

comprising a schema which comprises a first node to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

wherein the data base is characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable;

wherein the method comprises the steps;

searching the repository, for checking if the structure path reference of the document corresponds to a schema path reference of the schema,

and—

if so—

mapping the document reference in the repository of the data base while assigning the document reference to the schema path reference;

and—

if not—

characterized by the steps;

mapping the document reference into the structure index of the data base, in case the document reference is not yet mapped into the structure index;

mapping the structure path reference as a supplementary path reference which is assigned to the document reference, into the structure index of the data base, in case the supplementary path reference is not yet mapped, while assigned to the document reference, into the structure index.

42. Computer system according to claim 41,

characterized by the steps:

checking if in the structure index of the data base for a document, which is deleted from the data base, an entry of the document reference exists, and—

if so—

checking if at least an entry of a missing path reference exists, which corresponds to the document reference, and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified missing path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

checking if at least one entry of a supplementary path reference exists, which is assigned to the document reference and—

if so—

deleting the at least one identified supplementary path reference from the structure index of the data base;

as well as further

deleting the document reference from the structure index of the data base.

43. Computer system according to claim 41,

characterized in that the structure index is provided like a list and comprises a document list for reception of the document reference of the document stored in the data base.

44. Computer system according to claim 43,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a missing path list for reception of the schema path references as missing path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

45. Computer system according to claim 43,

characterized in that the structure index comprises a supplementary path list for reception of the structure path references as supplementary path references, which are assigned to the mapped documents.

46. Computer system according to claim 41,

characterized in that

the structured document is formatted in a markup language, and in that each position in the structure respectively each data element is marked by a tag of the markup language.

47. Computer system according to claim 46,

characterized in that

the markup language is provided as XML.

48. Computer system comprising

at least one central processing unit (CPU),

at least one storage unit with a storage means for storing data and/or commands for the central processing unit, being connected to the central processing unit;

at least one input means for inputting data and/or commands in the central processing unit and/or for inputting data in the storage unit,

at least one output means, for outputting data of the central processing unit and/or the storage unit,

characterized in that the storage means comprises a data base,

comprising a document set for reception of at least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further comprising a schema, which comprises a first node, to which further nodes are dependently linkable, so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path, and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable, characterized by a structure index, into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable as missing path reference;

characterized in that the central processing unit is provided for carrying out a method for administrating a data base comprising a document set for reception of least one referenceable, structured document, which comprises at least one data element, the position of which in the document structure is determined by a referenceable structure path, further

comprising a schema which comprises a first node to which further nodes are dependently linkable so that, from the first node, to each further node of the schema respectively leads a referenceable schema path and

comprising a repository into which the schema path and, assigned to said schema path, at least one document reference is mappable,

wherein the data base is characterized by a structure index into which the document reference and, assigned to said document reference, at least one structure path reference is mappable;

wherein the method comprises the steps;

searching the repository, for checking if the structure path reference of the document corresponds to a schema path reference of the schema,

and—

if so—

mapping the document reference in the repository of the data base while assigning the document reference to the schema path reference;

and—

if not—

characterized by the steps;

mapping the document reference into the structure index of the data base, in case the document reference is not yet mapped into the structure index;

mapping the structure path reference as a supplementary path reference which is assigned to the document reference, into the structure index of the data base, in case the supplementary path reference is not yet mapped, while assigned to the document reference, into the structure index.