System and methods including automatic linking of tables for improved relational database modeling with interface
DCFirst Claim
1. In an information processing system, a method for automatically linking information tables, each table including at least one information field, the method comprising:
- (a) receiving user input for selecting first and second information tables to link;
(b) determining a unique key for one of the two tables;
(c) automatically determining by said system a foreign key for the other of the two tables which satisfies said unique key; and
(d) if a foreign key is available, automatically linking said first and second tables through the foreign key.
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Abstract
A system includes a relational database management system (RDBMS) having a data modeling component. A "data model" is a graphical representation of the relationship between tables one may use in a design document. "Design documents" allow a user to customize how his or her data are presented, including presenting information in formats which are not tabular and including formats which link together different tables (so that information stored in separate tables appears to the user to come from one place). Methods are described for automatically linking tables to be placed in a data model by comparing unique keys (e.g., primary key or other unique identifier) of one table with indexes (or indexable fields) of another table. Based upon the comparison, the system automatically suggests an appropriate link (if any) for the tables.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. In an information processing system, a method for automatically linking information tables, each table including at least one information field, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving user input for selecting first and second information tables to link; (b) determining a unique key for one of the two tables; (c) automatically determining by said system a foreign key for the other of the two tables which satisfies said unique key; and (d) if a foreign key is available, automatically linking said first and second tables through the foreign key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for modeling data in a relational database management system comprising:
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a computer having a processor, a memory, and a screen device; interface means for receiving user input for requesting a link from a first information table to a second information table; and means, responsive to said request means, for automatically determining by said system a relationship which links said first and second information tables. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for linking information stored in data objects, each object including at least one field for storing data, the system comprising:
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a storage device for storing a plurality of data objects; a screen device for representing selected ones of the data objects; input means for receiving user input for selecting first and second data objects to link; means for determining a unique key for one of said first and second data objects; and means, responsive to said input means, for automatically linking by said system said first and second data objects through a foreign key which satisfies said unique key. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification