Outline-driven database editing and retrieval system

• US 4,939,689 A
• Filed: 04/09/1987
• Issued: 07/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Crowninshield Software, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Crowninshield Software, Inc.
• Inventors: Rose, David, Barrow, Michael D., Davis, Mary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Lawrence E.
• Application Number:
  US07/037,384
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/300, 364/900 MS File
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/186 Templates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A relational database is created and queried through the use of an outliner-style text editor which permits automatic generation of data entry forms for the creation of records. Data entry and editing are simplified and errors are minimized because changes in the outline are automatically reflected in the data entry forms and thus the automatically updated records. Data retrieval is driven through the manipulation of the outline to allow simple and complex queries without utilizing a database programming language. A specialized global field is utilized in which identical field names may be repetitively inserted into several databases. In the data entry mode, a global value can be set and that value is automatically inserted into each database record containing that global field as they are created so that relations are made automatically within the various databases. In the data retrieval mode, the global field can be used to control the display of the outline to truncate the outline to only those categories and fields containing data for a specific global field value, thereby to display only relevant outline portions. A field mapper allows the operator to immediately see the changes in the outline and direct old fields to new names or positions and indicate new fields which are to be inserted into the existing records, all prior to execution of the changed outline in terms of data entry. The query mode features a continually displayed outline in an Outline Window.

Claims

1. A system for creating a database for a database management system comprising:

a CPU;

means coupled to said CPU for storing one or more database files, each file having large numbers of records, with each of said records corresponding to entered data, said records being stored in said storing means in accordance with corresponding file structure;

display means coupled to said CPU;

means coupled to said CPU for creating an outline comprising category and field definitions; and

means coupled to said outline creating means for automatically generating data entry forms having categories and field definitions corresponding to those of said outline, and for generating files having corresponding category and field definitions, whereby data entry into the records of said database can proceed based on said outline, and further including means coupled to said display means and said file generating means, and responsive to said automatic data entry forms generation for displaying a selected data entry form, for entering data into the file corresponding to said selected form and for displaying said data such that data is displayed along with the category and field of said selected form, said system further including field mapping means coupled to said display means and responsive to a change in said outline representing a change from an old outline to a new outline for displaying a field map of said old outline, said new outline and a mapping function to define the relationship between said old outline and said new outline, wherein said field mapping means includes means for generating a prompt after a successful user-authorized field mapping operation, means for updating files in accordance with changes in said outline, and means for enabling said data entry means only after a field mapping operation and a prompt from said field mapping means.