System and method for mapping data in a multi-valued data structure

• US 20070214139A1
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intrametrics Corp., Lisa Roach
• Original Assignee: Intrametrics Corp.
• Inventors: Roach, Lisa, Roach, James
• Application Number:
  US11/372,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20070214139A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/21 Design, administration or maintenance of databases

Abstract

A method for managing a database comprises associating at least one test value with at least one data field. The method continues by inputting the at least one test value into a database wherein the at least one test value is stored in a first position in the database and the first position is associated with a first position identifier. The method continues by retrieving from the database the at least one test value. The method continues by determining the first position identifier associated with the at least one test value. The method concludes by generating a field map comprising the at least one data field associated with the first position identifier.

Claims

1. A method for managing a database, comprising:

a) associating at least one test value with at least one data field;

b) inputting the at least one test value into a database, wherein;

the at least one test value is stored in a first position in the database; and

the first position is associated with a first position identifier;

c) retrieving from the database the at least one test value;

d) determining the first position identifier associated with the at least one test value; and

e) generating a field map comprising the at least one data field associated with the first position identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the database represents a multi-value database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the field map further comprises a second data field associated with a second position identifier, and further comprising:

associating a second test value with the second data field;

inputting the second test value into the database, wherein;

the second test value is stored in a second position in the database; and

the second position is associated with the second position identifier;

and

retrieving from the database the second test value, the second test value associated with the second position identifier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein inputting the at least one test value comprises generating a first data record in the database.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the database comprises a second data record, and further comprising extracting at least one data value from the second data record, the extraction based at least in part on the field map.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the at least one test value is associated with an expected position identifier;

retrieving the at least one test value comprises;

retrieving the first data record from the database;

identifying a particular data value in the retrieved first data record, the identification based at least in part on the expected position identifier;

comparing the at least one test value against a particular data value in the retrieved first data record; and

if the at least one test value does not match the particular data value, comparing the at least one test value against another particular data value in the retrieved first data record.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

f) detecting a change to the database; and

g) in response to the change, repeating steps a) to e).

8. A system for managing a database, comprising:

a processor operable to;

associate at least one test value with at least one data field;

input the at least one test value into a database, wherein;

the at least one test value is stored in a first position in the database; and

the first position is associated with a first position identifier;

retrieve from the database the at least one test value;

determine the first position identifier associated with the at least one test value; and

generate a field map comprising the at least one data field associated with the first position identifier;

and

a memory operable to store the field map.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the database represents a multi-value database.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the field map further comprises a second data field associated with a second position identifier; and

the processor is further operable to;

associate a second test value with the second data field;

input the second test value into the database, wherein;

the second test value is stored in a second position in the database; and

the second position is associated with the second position identifier;

and

retrieve from the database the second test value, the second test value associated with the second position identifier.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein inputting the at least one test value comprises generating a first data record in the database.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the database comprises a second data record; and

the processor is further operable to extract at least one data value from the second data record, the extraction based at least in part on the field map.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the at least one test value is associated with an expected position identifier;

retrieving the at least one test value comprises;

retrieving the first data record from the database;

identifying a particular data value in the retrieved first data record, the identification based at least in part on the expected position identifier;

comparing the at least one test value against a particular data value in the retrieved first data record; and

if the at least one test value does not match the particular data value, comparing the at least one test value against another particular data value in the retrieved first data record.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further operable to:

detect a change to the database; and

in response to detecting the change, update the field map.

15. A method for managing a database, comprising:

generating a test file comprising;

a first test value associated with a first data field; and

a second test value associated with a second data field;

generating a first data record in a database, wherein the database is a multi-value database;

inputting the first and second test values into the first data record, wherein;

the first test value is stored in a first position in the database, the first position associated with a first position identifier;

the second test value is stored in a second position in the database, the second position associated with a second position identifier;

retrieving from the database the test file;

locating the first and second test values in the retrieved test file;

determining the first position identifier associated with the first test value;

determining the second position identifier associated with the second test value;

generating a field map comprising;

the first data field associated with the first position identifier; and

the second data field associated with the second position identifier;

and

extracting at least one data value from a second data record in the database, the extraction based at least in part on the field map.

16. Logic for managing a database, the logic encoded in computer-readable media and operable when executed to:

associate at least one test value with at least one data field;

input the at least one test value into a database, wherein;

the at least one test value is stored in a first position in the database; and

the first position is associated with a first position identifier;

retrieve from the database the at least one test value;

determine the first position identifier associated with the at least one test value; and

generate a field map comprising the at least one data field associated with the first position identifier.

17. The logic of claim 16, wherein the database represents a multi-value database.

18. The logic of claim 16, wherein:

the field map further comprises a second data field associated with a second position identifier; and

the logic is further operable when executed to;

associate a second test value with the second data field;

input the second test value into the database, wherein;

the second test value is stored in a second position in the database; and

the second position is associated with the second position identifier;

and

retrieve from the database the second test value, the second test value associated with the second position identifier.

19. The logic of claim 16, wherein inputting the at least one test value comprises generating a first data record in the database.

20. The logic of claim 19, wherein:

the database comprises a second data record; and

the logic is further operable when executed to extract at least one data value from the second data record, the extraction based at least in part on the field map.

21. The logic of claim 19, wherein:

the at least one test value is associated with an expected position identifier;

retrieving the at least one test value comprises;

retrieving the first data record from the database;

identifying a particular data value in the retrieved first data record, the identification based at least in part on the expected position identifier;

comparing the at least one test value against a particular data value in the retrieved first data record; and

if the at least one test value does not match the particular data value, comparing the at least one test value against another particular data value in the retrieved first data record.

22. The logic of claim 16, wherein the logic is further operable when executed to:

detect a change to the database; and

in response to detecting the change, update the field map.