CRITERIA BUILDER FOR QUERY BUILDER

• US 20100161646A1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Ceballos, Ariel Gregorio, Klaus, Kenneth, Caruso, Michael Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,312,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided that programmatically provide a user interface for forming a query, comprising. A query builder displays a first row of query criteria, a second row of query criteria, the second row being logically connected to the first row by a first Boolean connector, and a third row of query criteria, the third row being logically connected to the second row by a second Boolean connector. In response to a user drag-and-drop operation, the query builder nests the third row of query criteria in the second row of query criteria. Thus, a drag-and-drop operation obviates the need for cumbersome groups of parentheses when defining the order of operation of the query.

Claims

1. A method for programmatically providing a user interface for forming a query, comprising:

displaying a first row of query criteria;

displaying a second row of query criteria, the second row being logically connected to the first row by a first Boolean connector;

displaying a third row of query criteria, the third row being logically connected to the second row by a second Boolean connector;

in response to a user drag-and-drop operation, nesting the third row of query criteria in the second row of query criteria; and

executing a query comprising the first row, the first Boolean connector, and the nested second row and third row including the second Boolean connector.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the query criteria includes at least two operands and a comparative operator.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first operand and the comparative operator are selected from a drop-down menu.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the nested second row and third row together in a bounded area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Boolean connector is one of an ‘

AND’

operator, an ‘

OR’

operator, and a ‘

NOT.’

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, in response to a user selection of the Boolean connector, the Boolean connector toggles between ‘

AND,’

‘

OR,’ and

‘

NOT.’

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a delete button in each of the first, second and third rows, wherein, in response to user selection of the delete button, the corresponding row is removed.

8. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to programmatically provide a user interface for forming a query by:

displaying a first row of query criteria;

displaying a second row of query criteria, the second row being logically connected to the first row by a first Boolean connector;

displaying a third row of query criteria, the third row being logically connected to the second row by a second Boolean connector;

in response to a user drag-and-drop operation, nesting the third row of query criteria in the second row of query criteria; and

executing a query comprising the first row, the first Boolean connector, and the nested second row and third row including the second Boolean connector.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the query criteria includes at least two operands and a comparative operator.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first operand and the comparative operator are selected from a drop-down menu.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising displaying the nested second row and third row together in a bounded area.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the Boolean connector is one of an ‘

AND’

operator, an ‘

OR’

operator, and a ‘

NOT.’

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein, in response to a user selection of the Boolean connector, the Boolean connector toggles between ‘

AND,’

‘

OR,’ and

‘

NOT.’

14. A system, comprising:

a memory containing at least one application;

a processor communicably connected to the memory and which, when executing the application, performs an operation of generating a graphical user interface for forming queries, the operation comprising;

displaying a first row of query criteria;

displaying a second row of query criteria, the second row being logically connected to the first row by a first Boolean connector;

displaying a third row of query criteria, the third row being logically connected to the second row by a second Boolean connector;

in response to a user drag-and-drop operation, changing the order of operation of the query criteria by moving one of the first, second, and third rows; and

executing a query comprising query criteria from the first, second, and third rows.

15. A system providing a user interface for forming a query, comprising:

means for displaying a first row of query criteria;

means for displaying a second row of query criteria, the second row being logically connected to the first row by a first Boolean connector;

means for displaying a third row of query criteria, the third row being logically connected to the second row by a second Boolean connector;

means for nesting the third row of query criteria in the second row of query criteria in response to a user drag-and-drop operation; and

means for executing a query comprising the first row, the first Boolean connector, and the nested second row and third row including the second Boolean connector,