Abstract: A method and apparatus for reapplying changes to a database is disclosed. A recovery log is provided for recording all changes applied to the database so that the changes may be reapplied to the database during database recovery. Whenever a change is written to a storage device, the recovery log is updated to indicate that the particular change has been written to the storage device. During recovery, the data in the recovery log is sorted by file ID, data block ID, record type and version ID.

Abstract: Information is analyzed in the form of a plurality of data values that represent a plurality of objects. A set of features that characterize each object of the plurality of objects is identified. The plurality of data values are stored in a database. Each data value corresponds to at least one of the plurality of objects based on the set of features. Ones of the plurality of data values stored in the database are partitioned into a plurality of clusters. Each cluster of the plurality of clusters is assigned to one respective node of a plurality of nodes arranged in a tree hierarchy. Ones of the plurality of nodes of the tree hierarchy are traversed. If desired, information may be analyzed for finding peer groups in e-commerce applications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating, editing, and processing an interactive system made up of event-actuated action items. In one aspect, an event interpreter for selecting action items for execution based on occurrences of events in an interactive system includes an input section by which the event interpreter receives a computer-usable signal indicating that an event has occurred, an event name generator for generating an event name based on the computer-usable signal, and an application selector for comparing the event name to the event identifier for action items stored in a file system and for selecting for execution an action item whose event identifier corresponds to the event name. In another aspect, the action items of the interactive system are displayed hierarchically using the file system editor.

Abstract: A forwarding table data structure and a memory optimization process that involves variable multi-stage lookups. The data structure for an address translation system includes, a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of blocks includes a contiguous set of data records; each data record includes a pointer and an action indicator; if the action indicator is equal to a prescribed value the pointer represents an address of a translation target in the data structure; and if the action indicator is not equal to the prescribed value the pointer represents an address of a selected one of the plurality of blocks in the data structure. The data structure is built based on the input data set (e.g. IP routing table) to be memory optimized. The number of stages can be flexibly determined based on memory restrictions, input data set etc. Since the data structure is essentially “customized” optimal routing speeds can be obtained.

Abstract: Many users of handheld computing devices or “palmtops” also own personal computers (PCs) running applications that manage data similar to the data carried in the palmtops. In such cases, users are likely to want the data on the palmtop to be synchronized with the data on the PC. The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for reconciling database files on a palmtop with corresponding database files on a PC.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically resolving data conflicts in a shared data environment where a plurality of users can concurrently access at least portions of a master data file is presented. Users process data files by means of local copies of a master data file. When an attempted update of a master data file with an edited data file from a user is detected, the updating file is analyzed to determine if any changes made are in conflict with changes made to the master data file by a second user. If a conflict is detected, it is resolved by merging the updating file into the master file according to a predefined set of rules. For conflicts which are not resolved by rule-based reconciliation, at least one user is notified of the conflict and presented with conflict resolving information and the conflict is resolved according to user input.

Abstract: A data processing system including a processor device associated with memory device. The processor is capable of running user application programs to communicate with a database management system that includes database file management system, for accessing data records stored in the memory. The database file management system includes: a probabilistic access indexing file (PAIF) having a plurality of nodes and links. The leave nodes of the PAIF are associated with data records accessible to the user application program. A portion of the data record constitutes a search-key. Selected nodes in the PAIF represent an offset of a search key portion within a search key and link(s) originated from each node among the selected nodes. For each of the selected nodes, except for the leaf node, there exists a subordinated node having an offset larger than the offset of the selected node. A search path in the PAIF commences from a root node and ends at a leaf node which is associated with a given search key.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a network-based help architecture for software applications that reside on a host data processing system. A help database that is designed to support a software application that resides on a data processing system is integrated with an advanced knowledge base utilizing a standardized data format. The advanced knowledge base resides in a computer network to which the data processing system is linked. Next, and in response to selecting a help request associated with the software application, the help request is automatically converted into a data format readable by the computer network. Finally, the help database is dynamically supplemented and updated utilizing the advanced knowledge base, such that, in response to the step of selecting a help request associated with the software application, seamless access is provided within the computer network to the help database and the advanced knowledge base.

Abstract: In order to make available a method for storing data in the form of a plurality of data sequences on a plurality of data carriers, which makes possible a restoration of data which is as reliable and simple to carry out as possible, it is suggested that a defined number from the plurality of data sequences be combined to form a respective data group, that a test data sequence be generated for the data sequences of the data group which allows the reconstruction of data in that the test data sequence and the other data sequences are combined with one another, that the test data sequence be generated by allocating a preliminary test data sequence to one of the data sequences, and that the preliminary test data sequence, by taking into account this and an additional data sequence from the data group, be extended to this additional data sequence and that the preliminary test data sequence be extended to additional data sequences of the data group for such a time until this comprises all the data sequences of the da

Abstract: An information searching apparatus converts an input key-term into key-terms for searching the database by at least two times of expansions using a related-term dictionary and a translation dictionary, and stores the history of the expansions in the form of a tree structure. Then, a part or the whole of the thus-stored tree structure is displayed on a screen. A searcher designates appropriate terms among the thus-displayed information as key-terms for searching.

Abstract: A record management system provides for displaying a two-pass value measure result in a multi-dimensional view containing cells. The record management system identifies a set of cells in the multi-dimensional view. The set of cells includes all cells needed for determining the two-pass value measure result. The record management system determines a one-pass value for each cell in the set of cells. Based on the one-pass values, the record management system determines the two-pass value measure result.

Abstract: A system and method in a computer system having coupled thereto a repository for storing data, which method is implemented by the computer system. The method encodes display, entry fields and static text of a screen application (screen data) into Host Reply Definition (HRD), Request (REQ) and recognition files, which are then stored in the repository. A graphical user interface program is used for building and transforming the HRD, REQ and files stored in the repository into components. Next, the HRD, REQ and recognition files are extracted from the repository and associated with the screen application. The attributes of these files are written into a type library, thereby forming the software components. After this, the recognition file is stored in a directory structure independent of the repository. Finally, the components are registered in a registry for recognition by other applications and components.

Abstract: A file system for a collection of data files on a microcontroller-based device, the microcontroller-based device including an arithmetic/logic unit, read/write memory, and program memory, and the file system comprising a data table stored in the program memory and a document table of contents stored on a host computer. The data table is a set of data files, and the document table of contents includes length and offset information for each data file. A method is also described for creating and managing a file system for a collection of data files on a microcontroller-based device, wherein the microcontroller-based device includes an arithmetic/logic unit, read/write memory, and program memory, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a data table for storage in the program memory and providing a document table of contents for storage on a host computer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the construction of a classification model (for example a decision tree) from data in a large database. The database is stored in the form of data records on a storage medium for access by a computer. The computer executes a software component for building a classification model from the data in the database. The classification building component has a scheduler that directs the computer to sequentially access all records in the database one or more times as required for extracting the necessary sufficient statistics to construct the classification model. The method optimizes the construction of the classifier from the database by minimizing the number of database scans and making as much use of the computer's fast main memory (RAM) as possible. The method prescribes three different modes for scanning data and includes a scheduler component that decides which of these modes to employ and on what parts of the database.

Abstract: A method of generating a datamart is described. The datamart includes tables having rows and columns. The method comprises accessing a description of a schema. The schema defines the relationships between the tables and columns. The description further defines how data is to be manipulated and used to populate the tables in the datamart. That is, the description defines the semantic meaning of the data. The description is further used to create a set of commands to create the tables. The commands are executed causing the creation of the tables. Importantly, when the semantic meaning is associated with the column and rows, programs for manipulating and propagating data into those columns and rows are automatically defined. Previously, consultants would have to hand code the creation, manipulation, and population programs for a datamart. Thus, the amount of work required to create and populate the datamart is significantly reduced.

Abstract: In a database management system including a request reception server and a plurality of execution servers, each having a plug-in program module incorporated by a user, the request reception server analyzes a processing request from the user to determine whether or not the plurality of execution servers require currently unidentified input parameters when executing external functions in their plug-in modules, based on a definition information table created from descriptions of interface specifications for the plug-in program modules. When it is determined that the execution servers require such input parameters, an external function in the plug-in program module in the request reception server is executed to previously acquire the unidentified input parameters.

Abstract: An access control database defines access rights through the use of access control objects. The access control objects include group objects, each defining a group and a set of users who are members of the group, and rule objects. A first subset of the rule objects each specify a set of the group objects, a set of the management objects, and access rights by the users who are members of the groups defined by the specified set of the group objects to the specified set of management objects. The access control server responds to the access requests from the users by granting, denying and partially granting and denying the access requested in each access request in accordance with the access rights specified in the access control database. A database management system receives management information from the network and stores that information in a set of database tables.

Abstract: A data protection system that integrates a database with Windows Explorer in the Microsoft Windows 9X and NT Environments that mimics the Windows Explorer user interface, enabling the user to apply already known use paradigms. The data protection system appears as an extension to Windows Explorer and visibly appears as a folder item called the data vault. The data vault is a virtual disk that represents the underlying database. The database creates records and stores information about files backed up to removable secondary storage medium. Files may be backed up manually or automatically. A schedule can be set up for automatic protection of selected files and file types. The database can be searched to find files for restoration purposes without having to load secondary storage medium. Once a file or files are selected, the data protection system indicates which labeled removable secondary storage medium must be loaded for retrieval.

Abstract: In a back-up system, during normal operation, a first data is stored in a main storage unit and a buffer storage unit and also transferred to an auxiliary storage unit. During a back-up operation, the auxiliary storage unit is no longer updated and the first data stored in the auxiliary storage unit is transferred to a back-up storage unit. Also during the back-up operation, a second data is stored in the main storage unit and the buffer storage unit. Then, after the back-up operation has been performed, the second data is transferred from the buffer storage unit to the auxiliary storage unit.

Abstract: A method for automatically defining a query interface for a datamart is described. The datamart includes fact and dimension tables. The method comprises accessing a schema description and a query interface description for the datamart. The schema description specifies a schema, which in turn, defines the relationships between the fact tables and dimension tables of the datamart. The query interface description specifies the fields, related to the schema description, that can be used in a query and the way in which results are to be presented to the user. The fields correspond to columns and rows in the fact tables. The schema description is used to create a first set of commands to create and populate the fact and dimension tables. Additionally, a second set of commands to create the query interface is created. Some commands of the first set of commands are executed causing the creation and population of the tables.