Systems, methods, and computer program products to browse database query information

• US 20030212667A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Coates, Marlene L., Andersch, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,447,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/217 Database tuning G06F16/2282 takes precedence; database performance monitoring G06F11/3409
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer products that efficiently determine how columns, tables, and queries associated with a database are related to each other. The present invention enables a user to see at a glance in which queries certain columns and tables are used. The present invention may be implemented with a query miner module that includes a query browser module that improves browsing through queries and their components over the past. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an easy to use graphical interface showing the queries, tables, and columns in a tree structure. Further, the preferred embodiment of the present invention presents information about relationships and dimensions associated with a database and about columns, tables, and queries to the user without discernable lag time between the user'"'"'s request and the generated information.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, said computer having a database having metadata and at least one table with at least one column, said computer having at least one query object directed to said database, said method determining how said column, said table, and said query object are related, said method comprising:

until a user-specific report is complete;

executing said query object against said database;

applying user-specific heuristics as rules to said metadata via said executing query object thereby collecting statistical information about said query object based on said user-specific heuristics;

retrieving at least one view of said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics;

rating said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics via said at least one view; and

presenting said rated statistical information in said user-specific report.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting statistical tabulation about said statistical information.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising creating a final report document from said user-specific report.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting said statistical information with formatting that enhances said statistical information.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising enabling a user to determine when said user-specific report is complete.

6. A computer-implemented method, said computer having a database having data and at least one table with at least one column, said computer having at least one query object directed to said database, said method determining how said column, said table, and said query object are related, said method comprising:

until a user-specific report is complete;

executing said query object against said database;

applying user-specific heuristics as rules to said data via said executing query object thereby collecting statistical information about said query object based on said user-specific heuristics;

retrieving at least one view of said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics;

rating said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics via said at least one view; and

presenting said rated statistical information in said user-specific report.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 further comprising presenting statistical tabulation about said statistical information.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 further comprising creating a final report document from said user-specific report.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 further comprising presenting said statistical information with formatting that enhances said statistical information.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 further comprising enabling a user to determine when said user-specific report is complete.

11. A computer system for determining how at least one column, at least one table, and at least one query object are related, said computer system having a database having metadata and said at least one table with said at least one column, said computer system having said at least one query object directed to said database, comprising:

until a user-specific report is complete;

said query object being executed against said database;

user-specific heuristics being applied as rules to said metadata via said executing query object thereby collecting statistical information about said query object based on said user-specific heuristics;

at least one view of said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics;

said statistical information being rated; and

said rated statistical information being presented in said user-specific report.

12. The computer system of claim 11 further comprising statistical tabulation about said statistical information being presented.

13. The computer system of claim 11 further comprising a final report document being created from said user-specific report.

14. The computer system of claim 11 further comprising said statistical information being presented with formatting that enhances said statistical information.

15. The computer system of claim 11 further comprising a user that determines when said user-specific report is complete.

16. A computer system for determining how at least one column, at least one table, and at least one query object are related, said computer system having a database having data and said at least one table with said at least one column, said computer system having said at least one query object directed to said database, comprising:

until a user-specific report is complete;

said query object being executed against said database;

user-specific heuristics being applied as rules to said data via said executing query object thereby collecting statistical information about said query object based on said user-specific heuristics;

at least one view of said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics;

said statistical information being rated; and

said rated statistical information being presented in said user-specific report.

17. The computer system of claim 16 further comprising statistical tabulation about said statistical information being presented.

18. The computer system of claim 16 further comprising a final report document being created from said user-specific report.

19. The computer system of claim 16 further comprising said statistical information being presented with formatting that enhances said statistical information.

20. The computer system of claim 16 further comprising a user that determines when said user-specific report is complete.

21. An article of manufacture comprising a program usable medium embodying one or more instructions executable by said computer for causing a computer system to determine how at least one column, at least one table, and at least one query object are related, said computer having a database having metadata and said at least one table with said at least one column, said computer having said at least one query object directed to said database, wherein:

until a user-specific report is complete;

said computer usable instructions execute said query object against said database;

said computer usable instructions apply user-specific heuristics as rules to said metadata via said executing query object thereby collecting statistical information about said query object based on said user-specific heuristics;

said computer usable instructions retrieve at least one view of said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics;

said computer usable instructions rate said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics via said at least one view; and

said computer usable instructions present said rated statistical information in said user-specific report.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein said computer usable instructions present statistical tabulation about said statistical.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein said computer usable instructions create a final report document from said user-specific report.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein said computer usable instructions present said statistical information with formatting that enhances said statistical information.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein said computer usable instructions enable a user to determine when said user-specific report is complete.

26. An article of manufacture comprising a program usable medium embodying one or more instructions executable by said computer for causing a computer system to determine how at least one column, at least one table, and at least one query object are related, said computer having a database having data and said at least one table with said at least one column, said computer having said at least one query object directed to said database, wherein:

until a user-specific report is complete;

said computer usable instructions execute said query object against said database;

said computer usable instructions apply user-specific heuristics as rules to said data via said executing query object thereby collecting statistical information about said query object based on said user-specific heuristics;

said computer usable instructions retrieve at least one view of said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics;

said computer usable instructions rate said statistical information that satisfies said user-specific heuristics via said at least one view; and

said computer usable instructions present said rated statistical information in said user-specific report.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 26 wherein said computer usable instructions present statistical tabulation about said statistical information.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 26 wherein said computer usable instructions create a final report document from said user-specific report.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 26 wherein said computer usable instructions present said statistical information with formatting that enhances said statistical information.

30. The article of manufacture of claim 26 wherein said computer usable instructions enable a user to determine when said user-specific report is complete.