Abstract: An architectural software model for managing data retrieval in an information system is disclosed. The architectural software model includes a presentation layer, a business layer and a data layer. The business layer serves as a communication liaison between the presentation layer, which requires data to perform various electronic tasks in the information system, and the data layer, which storing the data required by the presentation layer. As such, the business layer receives requests from presentation layer components for specified data stored in the data layer, and in response to these requests, manages retrieval of the specified data. The business layer is divided into multiple portions, with each portion sharing responsibilities of the business layer. In simplest form, the business layer has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is responsible for receiving requests from components of the presentation layer and providing views of the requested data to these requesting components.

Abstract: A method and system for managing metadata for use by client application programs is disclosed. The client application programs are constructed with various software modules responsible for displaying graphical user interface components to users through a display module, e.g., computer monitor. The graphical user interface components are built using program data and metadata. Program data is data that is entered by a user or generated by a client application program. Metadata is data that describes the program data. The present invention manages metadata using a tri-layer system, which includes a presentation layer, a middle-tier layer and a data layer. The presentation layer includes the client application program, and therefore various software modules used to execute the client application program. The presentation layer also includes an ObjectStore component for managing retrieval and manipulation of metadata for the software modules.