Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for constructing a database abstraction model that includes logical fields that map to a logical table. The logical table is constructed using data extracted from multiple, differently formatted physical tables. The logical table allows logically related data stored in multiple databases to appear as data from a single table. Relationships between data stored in multiple, differently formatted databases are maintained and logical fields that include multiple access methods that map to the multiple databases are replaced with a single access method that maps to the logical table. Data relationships that are defined for the database abstraction model are modified to reflect the logical table.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for transforming a physical query (e.g., written in SQL) into an abstract query than can be run against an abstract database described by a database abstraction model. In one embodiment, the transformation occurs as a multiple step process: first, transformation of the physical query into an intermediate representation, such as an abstract query plan, and second, transformation of the intermediate representation into an abstract query. There are thousands upon thousands of existing physical (e.g., SQL) queries. Rather than just abandon these existing queries in favor of an abstract database, embodiments of the present invention provide for reverse query processing, that is, for creating an abstract query of the abstract database from a physical query (e.g., an SQL query) of the physical database underlying the abstraction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a graphical user interface allow performing operations simply by dragging a first object over a second object. One or more attributes of the second object are effectively “picked up” by virtue of dragging over the second object. In this manner, the user interface is more friendly, more intuitive, and reduces the number of pointer clicks to implement a particular function, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the user.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and system for comparing query-related objects are provided. In one embodiment, a first plurality of query-related objects for a first user is compared to a second plurality of query-related objects for a second user to determine a degree of similarity between the first and second plurality of query-related objects. A notification of the degree of similarity is issued.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided to process an abstract query of a database abstraction constructed over an underlying physical data storage mechanism. The database may comprise a single data source, or a federated source spanning multiple systems. Embodiments of the invention process an abstract query by generating an intermediate representation of the abstract query. In one embodiment, the intermediate representation comprises an abstract query plan. An abstract query plan includes a combination of elements from the data abstraction model and elements relating to the underlying physical data storage mechanism. Once generated, a back-end component may easily traverse the abstract query plan to generate an SQL statement (or other resolved query) corresponding to the abstract query.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for managing interdependent data objects and, more particularly, for managing modifications to at least one of a plurality of interdependent data objects. One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method of managing modifications to at least one of a plurality of interdependent data objects. The method comprises receiving a request for modification of a given data object having at least one dependent data object. The method further comprises accessing a directory of dependencies containing at least one record for each of the plurality of interdependent data objects including the at least one dependent data object. Each record describes an interdependency between at least two of the interdependent data objects. A record for the at least one dependent data object describes an interdependency between the given data object and the at least one dependent data object.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for managing query results and, more particularly, for sorting data records contained in a query result obtained in response to execution of a query against a database. In one embodiment, the data records in the query result are sorted on the basis of related information which is retrieved from a corresponding data source. In another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of a value variance which is determined for each of the data records in the query result. In still another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of a requested value range coverage. In yet another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of suitability scores which are determined with respect to analysis routines which are configured for processing the query result.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for managing query results and, more particularly, for sorting data records contained in a query result obtained in response to execution of a query against a database. In one embodiment, the data records in the query result are sorted on the basis of related information which is retrieved from a corresponding data source. In another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of a value variance which is determined for each of the data records in the query result. In still another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of a requested value range coverage. In yet another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of suitability scores which are determined with respect to analysis routines which are configured for processing the query result.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for query building and, more particularly, for building query conditions for queries against data in a database. One embodiment comprises receiving user input for constructing a first query condition of a query. Then, user-selectable elements to display for constructing a second query condition of the query are identified. Which user-selectable elements are identified is dependent on the first query condition. The identified user-selectable elements for constructing the second query condition are displayed. Then, user selection of one or more of the displayed user-selectable elements for constructing the second query condition is received. The first and second query conditions define selection criteria for selection of a specific set of the data from the database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are provided for composing abstract queries by referencing previously defined abstract queries and combining the queries based on mathematic operations, referred to as “query math”. Composing queries by performing query math, such as addition and subtraction, with whole abstract queries facilitates and encourages reuse of existing abstract queries.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for enhancing abstract queries by utilizing conditional modifiers with logical fields are provided. Conditional modifiers allow for the referencing of multiple physical fields via a single logical field. Further, conditional modifiers facilitate the ability to specify, on an instance by instance basis, which physical field or combination of physical fields a particular logical field should reference.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for managing relationships between database tables and, more particularly, for identifying and accurately describing relationships between tables in a database. One embodiment provides a method for identifying relationships between tables in a database. The method comprises receiving user input selecting a plurality of tables from the database. The plurality of tables is organized into a logical island defining a logical unit related to a particular logical entity. The method further comprises receiving user input identifying, for each of the plurality of tables, a table column containing information that identifies the particular logical entity in the table, whereby the identified table columns of different tables define logical relationships between the different tables in the logical island.

Abstract: Methods, articles of manufacture and systems for managing Web services. One embodiment provides a method comprising providing one or more rules configured to determine whether a Web service is deterministic. A deterministic Web service produces in subsequent executions identical output in response to identical input. The one or more rules are associated with the Web service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for applying query-level and parameter-level display profiles to abstract queries are provided. Display profiles allow users to utilize existing abstract queries for purposes of data analysis. In one embodiment, display profiles are used to change the scope of an existing abstract query or incorporate existing data processing functions into the abstract query.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for managing metadata associated with a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in a database. One embodiment provides a method of managing metadata describing objects of a data abstraction model with logical fields that define abstract views of physical data in a database. The method comprises traversing a logical tree structure representing the data abstraction model. The logical tree structure has a plurality of nodes, each representing a logical field or a category of logical fields of the data abstraction model. The method further comprises identifying metadata describing logical fields or categories represented by the plurality of nodes. The identified metadata is stored in a queryable database. A user is allowed to query the database to identify objects in the data abstraction model that may be used to construct an abstract query.

Abstract: An abstract database is an effective way to reduce the complexity of a large database management system. Abstract databases allow a user to compose queries based on the logical relationships among data items, without requiring a user to understand the underlying database schema used to store the data in the database system. Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods, systems, and articles of manufacture that extend the capabilities of an abstract database to include “late bound” polymorphic functions in an abstract data layer. Abstract functions are “late bound” because the function definition (i.e., the execution logic) is not determined until the function is actually invoked. They are polymorphic because same function may operate using many different many data input types. Additionally, abstract functions are generally transparent to the end user.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for query processing and, more particularly, for determining that Cartesian Products will occur in query results without executing corresponding queries. One embodiment provides a method for detecting Cartesian Products in query results. The method comprises identifying, from a query against one or more databases, joins between different tables of the one or more databases. Without executing the query against the one or more databases, it is determined on the basis of cardinalities of the identified joins whether a Cartesian Product will occur in a query result corresponding to the query.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive a license to a number of resources in a cluster. The licensed resources may be activated and deactivated at any computer system in the cluster, so long as the number of active resources in the cluster is less than or equal to the number of licensed resources to the cluster. In this way, if a resource or a computer system containing resources in the cluster fails, the licensee may still use other licensed resources up to the number of licensed resources.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed to a method, system and article of manufacture for controlling the access to data granted to a requesting entity based upon data accessed by the entity in the past. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention allow for access control independent from the particular manner in which the data is physically represented. Generally, abstraction layers are provided to represent various data sources available for use by an application and to compose queries used by the application to access and/or update information contained in these data sources. A runtime component is responsible for resolving an abstract query into concrete data access requests to one or more data repositories using information contained in a data repository abstraction component (one of the abstraction layers). Typically, data is organized into a series of domains. Within each domain, data is associated with an account.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for managing access to queries and, more particularly, for managing access by multiple users to persistently stored queries. One embodiment provides a method of managing access by multiple users to a predefined query against data in a database. The method comprises associating one or more access rights with at least some portion of the predefined query. When a request to access the predefined query by a first user is received, access to the predefined query by the first user is limited on the basis of the access rights.