Method of representing continuum of data as a rolling column within a relational model

• US 20070150489A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dettinger, Richard, Stevens, Richard, Kolz, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/316,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20070150489A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for representing a continuum of data as a rolling column within a relational model is disclosed. Data from a continuous data source may be used to populate a rolling column. Metadata defining the rolling column specifies the correct portion of data from the continuum of data that should be used to populate the rolling column. Whenever data from the rolling column is included in a data access request, such as a database query, a database management system may be configured to update the rolling column, according to the metadata.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for representing, within a relational model, a continuum of data received from an external data source, comprising:

defining a set of metadata parameters that define a portion of the continuum of data to store in a rolling column; and

in response to receiving a query that includes a reference to the rolling column, retrieving the metadata parameters defining the portion of the continuum of data to store in the rolling column;

conditionally, updating the rolling column to reflect a correct portion of the continuum of data, according to the metadata parameters; and

processing the database query against the updated rolling column.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the continuum of data represents data values collected over a specified time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the continuum of data represents a specified number of discrete measurements of a continuous data value stored in the rolling column.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata parameters define the portion of the continuum of data to represent a statistical measure of data composed using data received from the external data source;

wherein the statistical measure of data includes at least one of a highest measure, a lowest measure, and an average measure.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the continuum of data represents a specified size of data to store in the rolling column.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the external data source provides a continuous flow of data values to store in the rolling column, and wherein conditionally updating the data values stored in the rolling column comprises trimming the data values in the rolling column.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the external data source is a real time-data source providing a continuous measurement of a data value to the database management system that includes the rolling column.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the rolling column is configured to pull data values from the external data source into the rolling column at periodic intervals defined by the metadata parameters.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rolling column is configured to receive data values pushed from the external data source into the rolling column.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein conditionally updating the rolling column comprises, determining whether the metadata specifies a continuous or on demand mode for the rolling column, and wherein the continuous mode results in the rolling column being updated on a continuous basis, without waiting for a request for data from the rolling column, and wherein the on on-demand mode results in a database management system updating the data used to populate the rolling column data only in response to receiving the query that includes a reference to the rolling column.

11. A tangible computer-readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs operations for representing, within a relational model, a continuum of data received from an external data source, comprising:

in response to receiving a query that includes a reference to a rolling column;

retrieving metadata parameters defining a portion of the continuum of data to store in the rolling column;

updating the rolling column to reflect a correct portion of the continuum of data, according to the metadata parameters; and

processing the database query against the updated rolling column.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the portion of the continuum of data represents data values collected over a specified time period.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the portion of the continuum of data represents a specified number of discrete measurements of a continuous data value stored in the rolling column.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the portion of the continuum of data represents a specified size of data to store in the rolling column.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the metadata parameters define the portion of the continuum of data to represent a statistical measure of data composed using data received from the external data source;

wherein the statistical measure of data includes at least one of a highest measure, a lowest measure, and an average measure.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the external data source provides a continuous flow of data values to store in the rolling column, and wherein conditionally updating the data values stored in the rolling column comprises trimming the data values in the rolling column.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the external data source is a real time-data source providing a continuous measurement of a data value to the database management system that includes the rolling column.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the rolling column is configured to pull data values from the external data source into the rolling column at periodic intervals defined by the metadata parameters.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the rolling column is configured to receive data values pushed from the external data source into the rolling column.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operation of conditionally updating the rolling column comprises, determining whether the metadata specifies a continuous or on demand mode for the rolling column, and wherein the continuous mode results in the rolling column being updated on a continuous basis, without waiting for a request for data from the rolling column, and wherein the on on-demand mode results in a database management system updating the data used to populate the rolling column data only in response to receiving the query that includes a reference to the rolling column.

21. A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory configured to store an application that includes instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations for representing continuum of data received from an external data source as a rolling column within a relational model, comprising;

in response to receiving a query that includes a reference to the rolling column;

(i) retrieving metadata parameters defining a portion of the continuum of data to store in the rolling column;

(ii) updating the rolling column to reflect a correct portion of the continuum of data, according to the metadata parameters; and

(iii) processing the database query against the updated rolling column.

22. The computing device of claim 21, wherein the rolling column is configured to pull data values from the external data source into the rolling column at periodic intervals defined by the metadata parameters.

23. The computing device of claim 21, wherein the rolling column is configured to receive data values pushed from the external data source into the rolling column.