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Method and apparatus for managing relational data in an object cache

  • US 5,615,362 A
  • Filed: 03/22/1995
  • Issued: 03/25/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for coupling a plurality of object instances, each object instance in said plurality comprising a unique object ID, attributes, and relationships in an object-oriented application to a structured database, said structured database comprising foreign keys, primary keys, tables, rows and columns, said object-oriented application being executed in a digital computing system comprising a processor, said method comprising the steps of:

  • executing instructions on said processor to generate a request in the object-oriented application, said request being selected from the group consisting of a request for information about an object instance in said object-oriented application and a request to navigate a relationship between object instances of said object-oriented application;

    executing instructions on said processor to determine whether said request can be resolved with reference to an object cache comprising object instances of said object-oriented application, and without reference to said structured database;

    if said request can be resolved with reference to said object cache and without reference to said structured database, executing instructions on said processor to resolve said request by referring to said object cache; and

    if said request cannot be resolved with reference to said object cache and without reference to said structured database,then if said request is a request for information about an object instance in said object-oriented application executing instructions on said processor to resolve said request by querying said structured database to obtain information from said foreign keys, primary keys, tables, rows and columns required to construct an object instance, modifying said object cache according to said information, and referring to said object instance contained in said modified object cache;

    if said request is a request to navigate a relationship between object instances of said object-oriented application, executing instructions on said processor to construct a relationship pointer in said object cache between said object instances comprising a first object instance and a related second object instance byquerying said structured database to extract relationship information represented by at least one key and information relating to said at least one key, said key comprising primary and foreign keys, from said first object instance representing said relationship;

    using said key and said related information to look up said related second object instance in said object cache; and

    constructing a relationship pointer from said first object instance to said second related object instance, said relationship pointer being traversable by said object oriented application.

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