Techniques of efficient XML meta-data query using XML table index
First Claim
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1. A method for querying a durably stored collection of XML documents, the method comprising:
- storing said collection of XML documents in one or more base database structures managed by a database system for storing said collection of XML documents;
wherein each XML document of said collection of XML documents is stored, within the one or more base database structures, in an unshredded form;
based on pattern data that indicates elements defined for a particular XML document type, creating a table for the particular XML document type separate from said one or more base database structures in which said collection of XML documents are stored;
wherein said table includes a plurality of columns;
wherein each column of said plurality of columns corresponds to a different element indicated in the pattern data;
wherein each column contains only values of the element of the XML document type to which the column corresponds;
wherein each row of said table corresponds to a corresponding XML document in said collection;
wherein each row of said table stores values for elements from the corresponding XML document;
wherein said pattern data indicates, for each column of said plurality of columns, the different element, of the particular XML document type, that corresponds to the column;
using said table to answer a first query requesting data from said collection of XML documents;
responding to said first query without accessing said one or more base database structures; and
responding to a second query requesting data from said collection of XML documents by providing one or more unshredded XML documents from said one or more base database structures;
wherein said method is performed by one or more computing devices.
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Abstract
XML table indexes provide a more efficient mechanism for searching data stored in aggregate form. XML table indexes are a set of tables created to project out in column form commonly sought metadata from stored XML documents. By projecting the data includes into column form, queries on the XML documents can be efficiently processed as they can leverage the enhanced functionality provided by the database tables. The XML table indexes may use aliases, partitioning, constraints and other functions to further improve query flexibility and performance.
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42 Claims
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1. A method for querying a durably stored collection of XML documents, the method comprising:
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storing said collection of XML documents in one or more base database structures managed by a database system for storing said collection of XML documents; wherein each XML document of said collection of XML documents is stored, within the one or more base database structures, in an unshredded form; based on pattern data that indicates elements defined for a particular XML document type, creating a table for the particular XML document type separate from said one or more base database structures in which said collection of XML documents are stored; wherein said table includes a plurality of columns; wherein each column of said plurality of columns corresponds to a different element indicated in the pattern data; wherein each column contains only values of the element of the XML document type to which the column corresponds; wherein each row of said table corresponds to a corresponding XML document in said collection; wherein each row of said table stores values for elements from the corresponding XML document; wherein said pattern data indicates, for each column of said plurality of columns, the different element, of the particular XML document type, that corresponds to the column; using said table to answer a first query requesting data from said collection of XML documents; responding to said first query without accessing said one or more base database structures; and responding to a second query requesting data from said collection of XML documents by providing one or more unshredded XML documents from said one or more base database structures; wherein said method is performed by one or more computing devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 39, 41)
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20. A machine-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes:
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storing said collection of XML documents in one or more base database structures managed by a database system for storing said collection of XML documents; wherein each XML document of said collection of XML documents is stored, within the one or more base database structures, in an unshredded form; based on pattern data that indicates elements defined for a particular XML document type, creating a table for the particular XML document type separate from said one or more base database structures in which said collection of XML documents are stored; wherein said table includes a plurality of columns; wherein each column of said plurality of columns corresponds to a different element indicated in the pattern data; wherein each column contains only values of the element of the XML document type to which the column corresponds; wherein each row of said table corresponds to a corresponding XML document in said collection; wherein each row of said table stores values for elements from the corresponding XML document; wherein said pattern data indicates, for each column of said plurality of columns, the different element, of the particular XML document type, that corresponds to the column; using said table to answer a first query requesting data from said collection of XML documents; responding to said first query without accessing said one or more base database structures; and responding to a second query requesting data from said collection of XML documents by providing one or more unshredded XML documents from said one or more base database structures. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42)
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Specification