Abstract classification field specification

Abstract

A method, system and article of manufacture for constructing queries that are executed against a database and, more particularly, for constructing queries capable of returning classified information related to data in a database. One embodiment includes receiving user input specifying a plurality of result fields for an abstract query. Each result field corresponds to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing the data in the database. The method further includes receiving user input selecting one of the plurality of result fields, and receiving user input specifying a classification definition for the selected result field. The classification definition is suitable for dividing data to be returned for the selected result field into a plurality of categories. Then, a classification field for the abstract query is generated on the basis of the selected result field and the classification definition. The classification field is included with the abstract query. The method further includes receiving a user request for execution of the abstract query against the database.

Description

CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is related to the following commonly owned application: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 083,075, filed Feb. 26, 2002, entitled “Application Portability And Extensibility Through Database Schema And Query Abstraction”, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to data processing in databases and, more particularly, to constructing queries capable of returning classified information related to data in a database. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Databases are computerized information storage and retrieval systems. A relational database management system is a computer database management system (DBMS) that uses relational techniques for storing and retrieving data. The most prevalent type of database is the relational database, a tabular database in which data is defined so that it can be reorganized a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] Yet another embodiment provides a graphical user interface residing in memory. The graphical user interface includes a query specification display area, a classification field specification display area, a first selection element and a second selection element. The query specification display area is configured for specifying result fields and operators to define an abstract query. Each result field corresponds to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in a database. The data abstraction model includes metadata for mapping the result fields to the data in the database. The classification field specification display area is configured for specifying classification fields for the abstract query. Each classification field includes a result field and an associated classification

Problems solved by technology

However, SQL as a means for getting at classified information suffers in all the same ways that SQL suffers as a language for expressing queries.

This is, however, cumbersome and inefficient for the user.

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