Method for dynamically linking two objects in two different models

• US 6,611,847 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: Neubauer, Ronald Jay, Fontana, James Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Hosain T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Veillard, Jacques
• Application Number:
  US09/475,800
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 707/9, 707/10, 707/100, 707/101, 707/201, 707/102, 707/202, 707/103, 707/203, 707/200, 707/205, 709/218, 709/219, 717/1, 717/4, 717/5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/289 Object oriented databases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

A method in a computer system executing a repository program for dynamically linking two objects in two different models within the repository. The method includes the steps of receiving object identifiers of each of the two objects and an association name from a computer program using the method. The association name is then used to extract a namespace object from the repository program, wherein the namespace object is a part of the repository program for containing association names. Next, a determination is made as to whether or not an association already exists between either one of the two objects and the namespace object. If it is determined that no association exists, then the association name of a first of the two objects and the namespace are changed to an object identifier of a second of the two objects. Finally, the association name of the second of the two objects and the namespace are changed to an object identifier of the first of the two objects.

Claims

1. In a computer system executing a repository program, a method for dynamically linking two objects in two different models within said repository using a single namespace for associating said objects, said method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving object identifiers of each of said two objects and an association name from a computer program using said method;

b. using said association name to extract a namespace object from said repository program, wherein said namespace object is a part of said repository program for containing association names;

c. determining if an association already exists between either one of said two objects and said namespace object, and if not;

d. changing said association name of a first of said two objects and said namespace to an object identifier of a second of said two objects; and

e. changing said association name of said second of said two objects and said namespace to an object identifier of said first of said two objects.

2. The method as in claim 1 further including validating whether or not said namespace exists, and if not, returning an error to the user.

3. The method as in claim 1 further including validating whether or not each of said two objects exists, and if not, returning an error to the user.

4. The method as in claim 1 where in step c thereof further including execution of a process for breaking said association if it is determined that an association already exists between either one of said two objects and said namespace object.

5. The method as in claim 4 further including passing said association name and object identifiers of each of said two objects to said process for breaking.

6. The method as in claim 5 further including the step of extracting from said repository program a namespace object corresponding to said association name.

7. The method as in claim 6 further including the step of validating whether or not said namespace object exists, and if not, returning an error to the user.

8. The method as in claim 7 wherein said namespace object does exist, further including the step of getting a name of the association between said namespace object and a first of said two objects.

9. The method as in claim 8 further including the step of determining if said name of said association is the same as said object identifier of a second of said two objects, and if so, deleting said association.

10. The method as in claim 7 wherein said namespace object does exist, further including the step of getting a name of the association between said namespace object and a second of said two objects.

11. The method as in claim 10 further including the step of determining if said name of said association is the same as said object identifier of a first of said two objects, and if so, deleting said association.

12. In a computer system executing a repository program, a method for retrieving an object identifier of a first object associated with a second object dynamically linked to said first object using a single namespace for associating said objects, said method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving an object identifier of said second object and an association name therefor;

b. using said association name to extract a namespace object from said repository program, wherein said namespace object is a part of said repository program for containing association names;

c. getting an object corresponding to said object identifier of said second object;

d. determining name of association between said namespace object and said second object;

e. determining if name of said association is valid, and if so; and

,

f. storing said name of association as an object identifier of said first of said two objects.

13. The method as in claim 12 where in step e thereof, said association name is determined to be invalid, further including the step of storing a blank character as object identifier of said first of said two objects.

14. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for dynamically linking two objects in two different models within a repository program being executed by a computer using a single namespace for associating said objects, wherein, when the computer program code is executed by the computer, the computer program code causes the computer to perform the steps of:

a. receiving object identifiers of each of said two objects and an association name from a computer program using said method;

b. using said association name to extract a namespace object from said repository program, wherein said namespace object is a part of said repository program for containing association names;

c. determining if an association already exists between either one of said two objects and said namespace object, and if not;

d. changing said association name of a first of said two objects and said namespace to an object identifier of a second of said two objects; and

e. changing said association name of said second of said two objects and said namespace to an object identifier of said first of said two objects.

15. A storage medium as in claim 14 further including validating whether or not said namespace exists, and if not, returning an error to the user.

16. A storage medium as in claim 14 further including validating whether or not each of said two objects exists, and if not, returning an error to the user.

17. A storage medium as in claim 14 where in step c thereof further including execution of a process for breaking said association if it is determined that an association already exists between either one of said two objects and said namespace object.

18. A storage medium as in claim 17 further including passing said association name and object identifiers of each of said two objects to said process for breaking.

19. A storage medium as in claim 18 further including the step of extracting from said repository program a namespace object corresponding to said association name.

20. A storage medium as in claim 19 further including the step of validating whether or not said namespace object exists, and if not, returning an error to the user.

21. A storage medium as in claim 20 wherein said namespace object does exist, further including the step of getting a name of the association between said namespace object and a first of said two objects.

22. A storage medium as in claim 21 further including the step of determining if said name of said association is the same as said object identifier of a second of said two objects, and if so, deleting said association.

23. A storage medium as in claim 20 wherein said namespace object does exist, further including the step of getting a name of the association between said namespace object and a second of said two objects.

24. A storage medium as in claim 23 further including the step of determining if said name of said association is the same as said object identifier of a first of said two objects, and if so, deleting said association.