Method for querying a database in which a query statement is issued to a database management system for which data types can be defined

• US 6,434,554 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Youichi, Shimizu, Tomoto, Kamegi, Yoshito, Asami, Masato
• Primary Examiner(s): Corrielus, Jean M.
• Application Number:
  US09/392,621
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 707/103, 707/2, 707/3, 707/4, 707/101, 707/100, 707/102, 707/9, 707/1, 379/221.09, 379/207, 379/230, 379/221, 709/203, 709/201, 345/853, 345/968, 711/117
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/235 Update request formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2423 Interactive query statement specification based on a database schema
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2448 for particular applications; for extensibility, e.g. user defined types
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/289 Object oriented databases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

A newly defined data type is added to a database management system. Information about a query component assisting in querying data belonging to the newly defined data type is registered along with data type information in a query component information. If the data type being queried is the newly added data type, the query component information is searched to find a query component for assisting queries to data belonging to the particular data type. The matching query component is activated and a screen is displayed to input information needed to query data belonging to the data type. The information is input and a query statement is generated using the inputted information. The generated query statement is issued to the database management system and query results are obtained.

Claims

1. A method for querying a database in which a query statement is issued to a database management system for which data types can be defined and query results are acquired, said method comprising the steps of:

registering query component information relating to a query component used to assist queries to a database in which a new data type has been defined as well as information about said data type;

referring to said query component information if a queried data type is said newly defined data type;

searching for a query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type;

when the query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type is found, activating said query component to assist querying said data type by displaying a screen for entry of information needed to query data of said data type and handling entry of said information; and

generating query statements based on said registered query component information and issuing said generated query statements to said database management system.

2. A database querying method as described in claim 1, wherein if said queried data type is said newly defined data type, then a query component having search condition input functions for said data type is activated based on said query component information, a search conditions input screen provided by said component is displayed, search conditions for data of said data type are entered, and a query statement is generated using inputted search conditions.

3. A database querying method as described in claim 1, wherein if said queried data type is said newly defined data type, then a query component having display functions for said data type is activated based on said query component information, a display contents settings screen provided by said component is displayed, display contents for said data type are set up, and query results are displayed based on said display contents.

4. A data base querying method as described in claim 2, wherein if said queried data type is said newly defined data type, then a query component having display functions for said data type is activated based on said query component information, display contents settings screen provided by said component is displayed, display contents for said data type are set up, and query results are displayed based on said display contents.

5. A database query device for querying a database in which query statements are issued to a database management system for which data types can be defined and query results are acquired, said database query device comprising:

query component information in which is registered information relating to a query component used to assist queries to a database in which a new data type has been defined as well as information about said data type;

an execution control module that, if a queried data type is said newly defined data type, searches said query component information for a query component used to assist querying data belonging to said data type, when the query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type is found, activates said query component, displays a screen for entering information needed to query data belonging to said data type, and handles entry of said information;

a query statement generating module generating a query statement using said entered information; and

a database access module issuing said generated query statement to said database management system and obtaining query results.

6. A recording medium recording a program to provide a computer with features of a database query device that issues a query statement to a database management system for newly defining data types and retrieving query results, a medium providing a computer with features comprising:

a query editing module that, if a queried data type is said newly defined data type, searches for a query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type, when the query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type is found, activates a query component from said query component information to assist querying a data belonging to said data type, displays a screen for entering information needed to query data belonging to said data type, and enters said information;

a query statement generating module generating a query statement using said information; and

a database access module issuing said generated query statement to said database management system and acquiring query results.

7. A program to make a computer function as a database query device that issues a query statement to a database management system capable of newly defining data types and retrieving query results, said program providing a computer with features comprising:

a query editing module that, if a queried data type is said newly defined data type, searches for a query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type when the query component for assisting querying data belonging to the data type is found, activates a query component from said query component information to assist querying a data belonging to said data type, displays a screen for entering information needed to query data belonging to said data type, and enters said information;

a query statement generating module generating a query statement using said entered information; and

a database access module issuing said generated query statement to said database management system and acquiring query results.