Method and apparatus for object oriented storage and retrieval of data from a relational database
First Claim
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1. In a computer system, a method of storing objects in a relational database, comprising the steps of:
- defining a new class of objects, wherein objects of the new class have at least one data member;
generating a hierarchical tree based on said defining the new class of objects, wherein the hierarchical tree represents a definition of the data members of the objects of the new class and includes information for mapping the data members of the objects of the new class to a relational database schema and information about inheritance between classes;
instantiating a container object to store the data members of the objects of the new class;
transiently storing the data members of the objects of the new class in the container object;
receiving input of a plurality of characteristics of each data member of the objects of the new class, wherein a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics indicates whether the data member is an optional data member;
storing a hierarchy of classes in the hierarchical tree wherein the hierarchy of classes includes the new class, wherein the container object is created utilizing the hierarchical tree, and wherein the hierarchical tree comprises a definition of the data member and includes information for mapping the data member to a column of the relational database table;
storing a default value in the hierarchical tree for data members of the objects of the new class where the first characteristic indicates an optional data member; and
creating a new relational database table configured to store the data members of the objects of the new class based on the hierarchical tree and the container object.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for accessing a relational database through an object-oriented querying interface are provided. A class of objects that are to be stored in the relational database are defined. One or more relational database tables are created and a mapping is produced that maps each data member of an object to one or more columns in a relational database table. Additionally, object-oriented paradigms like inheritance may be supported and the allocation of storage for array elements may be deferred until necessary.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a computer system, a method of storing objects in a relational database, comprising the steps of:
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defining a new class of objects, wherein objects of the new class have at least one data member; generating a hierarchical tree based on said defining the new class of objects, wherein the hierarchical tree represents a definition of the data members of the objects of the new class and includes information for mapping the data members of the objects of the new class to a relational database schema and information about inheritance between classes; instantiating a container object to store the data members of the objects of the new class; transiently storing the data members of the objects of the new class in the container object; receiving input of a plurality of characteristics of each data member of the objects of the new class, wherein a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics indicates whether the data member is an optional data member; storing a hierarchy of classes in the hierarchical tree wherein the hierarchy of classes includes the new class, wherein the container object is created utilizing the hierarchical tree, and wherein the hierarchical tree comprises a definition of the data member and includes information for mapping the data member to a column of the relational database table; storing a default value in the hierarchical tree for data members of the objects of the new class where the first characteristic indicates an optional data member; and creating a new relational database table configured to store the data members of the objects of the new class based on the hierarchical tree and the container object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a series of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to store objects in a relational database by:
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defining a new class of objects, wherein objects of the new class have at least one data member; generating a hierarchical tree based on said defining the new class of objects, wherein the hierarchical tree represents a definition of the data members of the objects of the new class and includes information for mapping the data members of the objects of the new class to a relational database schema and information about inheritance between classes; instantiating a container object to store the data members of the objects of the new class; transiently storing the data members of the objects of the new class in the container object; receiving input of a plurality of characteristics of each data member of the objects of the new class, wherein a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics indicates whether the data member is an optional data member; storing a hierarchy of classes in the hierarchical tree wherein the hierarchy of classes includes the new class, wherein the container object is created utilizing the hierarchical tree, and wherein the hierarchical tree comprises a definition of the data member and includes information for mapping the data member to a column of the relational database table; storing a default value in the hierarchical tree for data members of the objects of the new class where the first characteristic indicates an optional data member; and creating a new relational database table configured to store the data members of the objects of the new class based on the hierarchical tree and the container object.
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14. A system comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled with the processor, the memory having stored therein a series of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to define a new class of objects, wherein objects of the new class have at least one data member, generate a hierarchical tree based on said defining the new class of objects, wherein the hierarchical tree represents a definition of the data members of the objects of the new class and includes information for mapping the data members of the objects of the new class to a relational database schema and information about inheritance between classes, instantiate a container object to store the data members of the objects of the new class, transiently storing the data members of the objects of the new class in the container object, receive input of a plurality of characteristics of each data member of the objects of the new class, wherein a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics indicates whether the data member is an optional data member, store a hierarchy of classes in the hierarchical tree wherein the hierarchy of classes includes the new class, wherein the container object is created utilizing the hierarchical tree, and wherein the hierarchical tree comprises a definition of the data member and includes information for mapping the data member to a column of the relational database table, store a default value in the hierarchical tree for data members of the objects of the new class where the first characteristic indicates an optional data member, and create a new relational database table configured to store the data members of the objects of the new class based on the hierarchical tree and the container object.
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Specification