File update apparatus for generating a matrix representing a subset of files and the update correspondence between directories and files

• US 5,355,476 A
• Filed: 12/02/1991
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Fukumura, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORZECH, JENNIFER
• Application Number:
  US07/801,005
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/650, 395/700, 395/161, 364/419.17
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

In a file update processing apparatus incorporating files, a list having a matrix arrangement is automatically formed. In this list, files names are listed in one column in correspondence with the respective files, and directory names are listed in the other column in correspondence with directories. In addition, identification data indicating the correspondence between the directory names and the file names are included in the list, thereby clearly indicating specific files defined as update targets in units of directories. In addition, lists, each having a matrix arrangement, are automatically formed in units of arbitrarily designated files. In each list, field names of records constituting the designated file are listed in one column, and directory names including file update definitions for defining the designated file as an update target are listed in the other column. In addition, identification data indicating the correspondence between the directory names and the file names are included in the list, thereby clearly indicating specific fields defined as update targets in units of directories.

Claims

1. A file update processing apparatus for generating a list representing a file update designation state, the apparatus having file update definitions each defining a file name, an update type, and a correspondence between fields in an input record and fields in a file record, for converting the input record into the file record in accordance with the correspondence, and for performing an update of the type designated by the update type on the file record with respect to a file designated by the file name, the apparatus comprising:

directories storage means for storing a directory together with directory names, each directory including a plurality of file names and a combination of a plurality of the file update definitions representing some of said plurality of file names;

retrieval means connected to the directory storage means, for retrieving, in response to a list forming designation, directory names from each directory in the directory storage means and only file names from the file update definitions in each directory;

list forming means connected to the retrieval means for forming a list having a matrix arrangement, the retrieved file names being listed in one column of the list, the retrieved directory names being listed in another column of the list, and identification data indicating a correspondence between the retrieved directory names and the retrieved file names being included in the list wherein said identification data reflects the update type; and

output means connected to the list forming means for outputting the list formed by said list forming means.

2. A file update processing apparatus for generating a list representing a file update designation state, the apparatus having file update definitions each defining a file name, an update type, and a correspondence between fields in an input record and fields in a file record by means of a field name, for converting the input record into the file record in accordance with the correspondence, and for performing an update of the type designated by the update type on the file record with respect to a file designated by the file name, the apparatus comprising:

directories storage means for storing a directory together with directory names, each directory including a plurality of file names and a plurality of the file update definitions representing some of said plurality of file names;

retrieval means connected to the directory storage means, for retrieving, in response to a list forming designation, directory names from each directory in the directory storage means and only field names from the file update definitions in each directory in units of file names;

list forming means connected to the retrieval means for forming, in units of file names, a list having a matrix arrangement, the retrieved field names being listed in one column of the list, the retrieved directory names being listed in another column of the list, and identification data indicating a correspondence between the retrieved directory names and the retrieved field names being included in the list wherein said identification data reflects the update type; and

output means connected to the list forming means for outputting the list formed by said list forming means.