Modification of a data repository based on an abstract data representation

• US 8,244,702 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Workday Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dettinger, Richard D., LaRocca, Jennifer L., Stevens, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SYED, FARHAN M
• Application Number:
  US10/403,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20030167274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,424 Days
• Field of Search: 707/4
• US Class Current: 707/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2423 Interactive query statement specification based on a database schema
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for modifying data represented abstractly through an abstraction model. In one embodiment, a data repository abstraction layer provides a logical view of an underlying data repository that is independent of the particular manner of data representation. A query abstraction layer is also provided and is based on the data repository abstraction layer. A runtime component performs translation of an abstract query into a form that can be used against a particular physical data representation.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing a logical framework for defining abstract modification operations for modifying data in a physical database, comprising:

retrieving a modification operation specification specifying at least one logical field used as part of one of physical entity identification criteria or selection criteria in performing an abstract modification operation, wherein the modification operation comprises one of an insert operation and an update operation and wherein generating the abstract query, comprises;

(i) when the modification operation comprises an insert operation;

specifying a logical seed field;

upon determining that one or more additional logical fields are required for performing the insert operation based on the logical seed field, receiving values for each of the required logical fields;

(ii) when the modification operation is an update operation;

specifying a logical field to update and a corresponding update value,

creating an abstract update expression using the specified logical field to update and the corresponding update value,

specifying a selection condition for selecting data in the database to update, and

adding the selection condition to the abstract update expression;

providing an abstract model for defining an abstract query describing an instance of the abstract modification operation performed to modify the data in the physical database, the abstract model comprising;

a plurality of logical fields, each comprising a logical field name; and

a mapping rule for each of the plurality of logical fields, which map the plurality of logical fields to data in the physical database, wherein each mapping rule is selected from at least two different mapping rule types; and

providing a run-time component to transform the abstract query into a executable query consistent with the physical database.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the abstract query comprises a plurality of logical field names and corresponding values.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

issuing, by a requesting entity, a request to execute the abstract query; and

transforming, by the run-time component, the abstract query into the executable query consistent with the physical database.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs an operation of modifying data stored in a database, the operation comprising:

retrieving a modification operation specification specifying at least one logical field used as part of one of physical entity identification criteria or selection criteria in performing the abstract modification operation, wherein the modification operation comprises one of an insert operation and an update operation and wherein generating the abstract query, comprises;

(i) when the modification operation comprises an insert operation;

specifying a logical seed field,

upon determining that one or more additional logical fields are required for performing the insert operation based on the logical seed field, receiving values for each of the required logical fields;

(ii) when the modification operation is an update operation;

specifying a logical field to update and a corresponding update value,

creating an abstract update expression using the specified logical field to update and the corresponding update value,

specifying a selection condition for selecting data in the database to update, and

adding the selection condition to the abstract update expression;

generating an abstract query specifying the modification operation to modify data in the database, wherein the abstract query comprises a plurality of logical field names and corresponding values, wherein the plurality of logical field names are items of definitions of logical fields defined in a logical data model, and wherein each of the logical field definitions further include at least one location attribute identifying a location of physical data corresponding to the logical field name of the respective logical field definition, and a reference to an access method selected from at least two different access method types, and wherein the access methods map the respective logical fields to physical entities of the database;

transforming the abstract query an executable query consistent with the particular physical data representation according to the access method specified by each logical field included in the abstract query; and

executing the executable query, whereby data in the database corresponding to the logical fields is modified.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the abstract query comprises at least one logical field corresponding to a physical entity to be modified and selection criterion for locating the physical entity to be modified.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein transforming the abstract query comprises determining a corresponding physical location of data in the database for each required logical fields and the logical seed field.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein transforming the abstract query comprises determining a corresponding physical location of data for the specified logical field.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs an operation of modifying data stored in a database, the operation comprising:

retrieving a modification operation specification specifying at least one logical field used as part of one of physical entity identification criteria or selection criteria in performing the abstract modification operation, wherein the modification operation is a delete operation and wherein generating the abstract query, comprises;

specifying a logical seed field to delete,

creating an abstract delete expression using the specified logical seed field,

specifying a selection condition for selecting data to delete, and

adding the selection condition to the abstract delete expression;

generating an abstract query specifying the modification operation to modify data in the database, wherein the abstract query comprises a plurality of logical field names and corresponding values, wherein the plurality of logical field names are items of definitions of logical fields defined in a logical data model, and wherein each of the logical field definitions further include at least one location attribute identifying a location of physical data corresponding to the logical field name of the respective logical field definition, and a reference to an access method selected from at least two different access method types, and wherein the access methods map the respective logical fields to physical entities of the database;

transforming the abstract query an executable query consistent with the particular physical data representation according to the access method specified by each logical field included in the abstract query; and

executing the executable query, whereby data in the database corresponding to the logical fields is modified.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein transforming the abstract query comprises determining a corresponding physical location of data for the specified logical seed field.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, provides a logical framework for defining abstract modification operations for modifying physical data in a physical database, the program comprising:

an abstract modification operation specification specifying at least one logical field used as part of one of physical entity identification criteria or selection criteria in performing the abstract modification operation, wherein the abstract modification operation comprises one of an insert operation and an update operation and wherein generating the abstract query, comprises;

(i) when the abstract modification operation comprises an insert operation;

specifying a logical seed field,

upon determining that one or more additional logical fields are required for performing the insert operation based on the logical seed field, receiving values for each of the required logical fields;

(ii) when the abstract modification operation is an update operation;

specifying a logical field to update and a corresponding update value,

creating an abstract update expression using the specified logical field to update and the corresponding update value,

specifying a selection condition for selecting data in the database to update, and

adding the selection condition to the abstract update expression;

an abstract model for defining an abstract query describing an instance of the abstract modification operation performed to modify the data in the physical database, the abstract model comprising;

(i) a plurality of logical fields, each logical field comprising a logical field name; and

(ii) a mapping rule for each of the plurality of logical fields, which map the plurality of logical fields to data in the physical database, wherein each mapping rule is selected from at least two different mapping rule types; and

a run-time component to transform the abstract query into a executable query consistent with the physical database.

11. A computer comprising a logical framework for defining abstract modification operations for modifying physical data in an existing physical database, the logical framework comprising:

a memory and at least one processor;

an abstract modification operation specification specifying at least one logical field used as part of one of physical entity identification criteria or selection criteria in performing the abstract modification operation, wherein the abstract modification operation comprises one of an insert operation and an update operation and wherein generating the abstract query, comprises;

(i) when the abstract modification operation comprises an insert operation;

specifying a logical seed field,

upon determining that one or more additional logical fields are required for performing the insert operation based on the logical seed field, receiving values for each of the required logical fields;

(ii) when the abstract modification operation is an update operation;

specifying a logical field to update and a corresponding update value,

creating an abstract update expression using the specified logical field to update and the corresponding update value,

specifying a selection condition for selecting data in the database to update, and

adding the selection condition to the abstract update expression;

an abstract model for defining an abstract query describing an instance of the modification operation performed to modify the data in the existing physical database, the abstract model comprising;

(i) a plurality of logical fields, each comprising a logical field name; and

(ii) a mapping rule for each of the plurality of logical fields, which map the plurality of logical fields to data in the physical database, wherein each mapping rule is selected from at least two different mapping rule types; and

a run-time component to transform the abstract query into a executable query consistent with the physical database.

12. The computer of claim 11, wherein the abstract query comprises a plurality of logical field names and corresponding values.