Method and means for evaluating the performance of a database system referencing files external to the database system

• US 6,393,435 B1
• Filed: 09/22/1999
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: X Corp. (f/k/a Twitter, Inc.) (X Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pomeroy, Ronald James, Gartner, Jason Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Mizrahi, Diane D.
• Application Number:
  US09/404,435
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/200, 707/201, 707/202, 707/203, 707/204, 707/205, 709/223, 714/35, 345/866
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3672 Test management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2365 Ensuring data consistency and integrity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A system and method for testing a database system which includes external file references to files stored on a remote file system. A control table within the database management system which enables controlled but random access to files on the remote file system that are accessed through external file references. A tool within the remote file system maintains the control table and creates, deletes and exercises the test files within the external file system. Triggers on base tables within the database management system are used to maintain the integrity of the control table.

Claims

1. A method for testing a database system, said database system including a database management system and at least one file system external to the database system, said database system referencing said file system by external file references, said method comprising the steps of:

creating a control table in said database management system, said control table containing file linking information for each file that can be linked by said test process;

randomly performing at least one of creating and deleting data linking test files on the file system;

generating maintenance information for said control table from said at least one file system whereby said control table maintains an accurate record of said data linking test files in said file system;

testing said database system by randomly accessing said test files through said control table.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said database system is a relational database system.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said maintenance information is provided by a control tool that enables the creation of files and random linking of files in said file system to ensure integrity.

4. A test process as defined in claim 1 wherein said maintenance information is maintained by triggers associated with said control table.

5. A computer program product tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method for testing a database system, said database system including a database management system and at least one file system external to the database system, said database system referencing said file system by external file references, said method comprising the steps of:

creating a control table in said database management system, said control table containing file linking information for each file that can be linked by said test process;

randomly performing at least one of creating and deleting data linking test files on the file system;

generating maintenance information for said control table from said at least one file system whereby said control table maintains an accurate record of said data linking test files in said file system;

testing said database system by randomly accessing said test files through said control table.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said database system is a relational database system.

7. A method as define in claim 5, wherein said maintenance information is provided by a control tool that enables the creation of files and random linking of files in said file system to ensure integrity.

8. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said maintenance information is maintained by triggers associated with said control table.

9. A test system for a database system, said database system including a database management system and at least one file system, said file system having at least one file server, said test system comprising:

a control table stored within said database management system, said control table including data link values for all files that may be used by said test system;

a file control tool stored within said at least one file server, said control tool performing at least one of creating files, deleting files, and randomly linking files and providing status information to said control table over a communication link between said file control tool and said control table, whereby said test system may randomly access files and maintain records of said files current in said control table.

10. A test system as defined in claim 9, further including triggers in said database management system, said triggers being activated to maintain said control table.