Abstract: Provided is a system and method for optimizing CM through application-level optimization by exploiting the specific semantics of access control. Access control is enforced by rewriting user or application queries to include additional predicates. Portions of a complex CM query that are identified as those that will return an empty set of result objects are replaced by an empty or null expression. Furthermore, statistics specific to access control are collected and intelligently used in formulating the rewritten query and in controlling the order of evaluation of access control predicates. Optionally, rewriting can generate a result filter in addition to a rewritten query. This filter is applied to the results produced by executing the rewritten query, thus allowing the access control enforcement burden to be shared between the query and the filter. When combined, the aforementioned techniques serve to reduce the runtime overhead of access control enforcement in CM systems.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing information in a content management system including a library server for generating non-transferable access tokens and an object server for storing objects to which access may be requested by a client user. Enhanced security is achieved by generating non-transferable access tokens which can be used by a particular client user to access a particular data object in the object server. However, should the token be transferred to a user other then the client user for which the token was generated, the system will not permit access to the object.

Abstract: A content management system integrated with a web caching proxy that delivers content according to access control rules. An access control token is generated using a secret key when a user selects a desired object (to be provided only upon token validation, thus the object retrieval and delivery task can be delegated). However, tokens for other content and/or for other users could be generated by a rogue resource manager. If the desired object is already cached, the proxy asks the resource manager to validate the token and then selectively provides the desired object without contacting a library server. Alternately, the proxy itself performs the token validation, but must coordinate with the library server to ensure it has the latest secret key. Finally, the tokens may contain digital signatures generated with a private key and validated with a corresponding public key, so that private keys need not be distributed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for XML query cursor implementation through the steps of query translation and processing, query result navigation, and positioned update. An XML query cursor implemented in Interface Definition Language (IDL) as well as an extension to XQuery, an XML query language, is described. These steps are addressed by one of three approaches: multi-cursor, outer union, or hybrid. In each approach, XML data is assumed to be stored in a relational database with a mapping that maps each element to a row in a relational database table. In each approach, a system and method provide for cursor movements and positioned updates in increments of a node, sub-tree, or entire document. Given a user's navigation patterns, a system and method is provided to select either a multi-cursor, outer union, or hybrid approach as an optimal implementation for an XML query cursor.

Abstract: A dynamic foldering system automatically manages the creation and deletion of run-time dynamic folders and selection of documents, items, or object graphs found in the run-time dynamic folders. The system comprises a query/predicate for a design-time folder group based on which dynamic folders are automatically managed, a variable binding mechanism, automatic identifications of dynamic folders containing a particular object, parallel navigation, and customized combination of foldering results. The query/predicate for a design-time folder group can be a parameterized query. The dynamic folder hierarchy is defined by a hierarchy of design-time folder groups defined by a query/predicate on a document comprising structured or semi-structured data. Modifiable criteria for creating the dynamic folder hierarchy are provided by the user. Variable binding provides powerful query/predicate definitions on hierarchical data or graph-structured data.

Abstract: A content management system is provided including a library server in which user and system metadata is stored in a plurality of tables forming a tree-based storage hierarchy. The metadata is stored in a first data format compatible with a complex query language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). A query processor in the library server maps the first data format to a second data format which is compatible with a simpler query language such as XML query language. A client's user experience is substantially simplified when queries are presented to the system.

Abstract: A system and a computer program product are disclosed for maintaining consistency of object content (252) and metadata (204) related to the object (252) in a loose transaction model, preferably using SQL Mediated Object Manipulation (SMOM), for object and meta-data updates. The related meta-data (204) and a reference to the object (252) are stored in a table of a database. The object is stored externally to the database in an object store. The reference is used to obtain a handle for directly accessing or manipulating the external object. A version number embedded in the handle is then obtained. The embedded version number is then compared with a version number of a latest committed version of the externally stored object to determine if the handle refers to a current version of the externally stored object. Next, the last modification timestamp of the file is compared with the last modification timestamp of the latest committed version, in order to detect uncommitted updates.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program product, and a computer program are disclosed for maintaining consistency of object content (252) and metadata (204) related to the object (252) in a loose transaction model, preferably using SQL Mediated Object Manipulation (SMOM), for object and meta-data updates. The related meta-data (204) and a reference to the object (252) are stored in a table of a database. The object is stored externally to the database in an object store. The reference is used to obtain a handle for directly accessing or manipulating the external object. A version number embedded in the handle is then obtained. The embedded version number is then compared with a version number of a latest committed version of the externally stored object to determine if the handle refers to a current version of the externally stored object.

Abstract: Managing a content management system. The content management system is one that is configured and controlled to establish a connection between a client and a library server, generate a transaction identifier and insert, a record for the transaction in a tracking table associated with the library server, pass transaction data from the client to a resource manager, process the transaction at the resource manager and record transaction data in a tracking table associated with the resource manager. The resource manager returns transaction success/failure data to the client, compares activity recorded in the tracking tables, and takes corrective action based upon the activity comparison.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for XML query cursor implementation through the steps of query translation and processing, query result navigation, and positioned update. An XML query cursor implemented in Interface Definition Language (IDL) as well as an extension to XQuery, an XML query language, is described. These steps are addressed by one of three approaches: multi-cursor, outer union, or hybrid. In each approach, XML data is assumed to be stored in a relational database with a mapping that maps each element to a row in a relational database table. In each approach, a system and method provide for cursor movements and positioned updates in increments of a node, sub-tree, or entire document. Given a user's navigation patterns, a system and method is provided to select either a multi-cursor, outer union, or hybrid approach as an optimal implementation for an XML query cursor.

Abstract: A scalable content management system manages searches from a local content manager and a plurality of remote content managers. A single scalable content manager manages data in a content repository or file system and its associated metadata in the same content repository or in a database, which will greatly simplify both content management logic and client application logic. The system architecture enables users to add scalable content managers as needed, which allows users to easily scale up the scalable content manager system, in both data size and user connection, as business grows. With the present scalable system architecture, a multi-node content management system will appear to be a single content management system to users, providing location transparency.

Abstract: A database management system and associated methods for parallelizing file archival and retrieval in an extended database management system. The system includes a set of copy agents that selectively acquire the backup tasks from a copy queue, and a set of retrieval agents that selectively acquire the restore tasks from a restore queue. The chances of contention between any two copy agents or any two retrieve agents acquiring the same copy or restore task is significantly minimized. Once specific copy agents are assigned backup tasks, the backup process is implemented to determine the optimal way to write the backup files to one or more targets, in parallel. In addition, the present system enables the efficient and expeditious retrieval of the desired files without having to search all the targets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a multi-tier object-relational database architecture are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a multi-tier database architecture comprises an object-relational database engine as a top tier, one or more domain-specific extension modules as a bottom tier, and one or more universal extension modules as a middle tier. The individual extension modules of the bottom tier operationally connect with the one or more universal extension modules which, themselves, operationally connect with the database engine. The domain-specific extension modules preferably provide such functions as search, index, and retrieval services of images, video, audio, time series, web pages, text, XML, spatial data, etc. The domain-specific extension modules may include one or more IBM DB2 extenders, Oracle data cartridges and/or Informix datablades, although other domain-specific extension modules may be used.

Abstract: Managing a content management system. The content management system is one that is configured and controlled to establish a connection between a client and a library server, generate a transaction identifier and insert, a record for the transaction in a tracking table associated with the library server, pass transaction data from the client to a resource manager, process the transaction at the resource manager and record transaction data in a tracking table associated with the resource manager. The resource manager returns transaction success/failure data to the client, compares activity recorded in the tracking tables, and takes corrective action based upon the activity comparison.

Abstract: A content management system is provided including a library server in which user and system metadata is stored in a plurality of tables forming a tree-based storage hierarchy. The metadata is stored in a first data format compatible with a complex query language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). A query processor in the library server maps the first data format to a second data format which is compatible with a simpler query language such as XML query language. A client's user experience is substantially simplified when queries are presented to the system.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing information in a content management system including a library server for generating non-transferable access tokens and an object server for storing objects to which access may be requested by a client user. Enhanced security is achieved by generating non-transferable access tokens which can be used by a particular client user to access a particular data object in the object server. However, should the token be transferred to a user other then the client user for which the token was generated, the system will not permit access to the object.

Abstract: A computer system updates a data object that is maintained in data storage external to a database management system (DBMS), after receiving an update request from a DBMS client for the data object, by first scheduling the update request with the DBMS to provide access to the external data object, then initiating a subtransaction in the DBMS for the update request, updating the data object with an in-place update action at the external data storage to thereby produce an updated data object and also updating the DBMS metadata of the data object, next appending information relating to type and time of the update action in an object version table, and then executing a backup operation of the updated data object. This permits update-in-place operations on the external data object, under supervision of the DBMS.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program product, and a computer program are disclosed for maintaining consistency of object content (252) and metadata (204) related to the object (252) in a loose transaction model, preferably using SQL Mediated Object Manipulation (SMOM), for object and meta-data updates. The related meta-data (204) and a reference to the object (252) are stored in a table of a database. The object is stored externally to the database in an object store. The reference is used to obtain a handle for directly accessing or manipulating the external object. A version number embedded in the handle is then obtained. The embedded version number is then compared with a version number of a latest committed version of the externally stored object to determine if the handle refers to a current version of the externally stored object.

Abstract: A scalable content management system manages searches from a local content manager and a plurality of remote content managers. A single scalable content manager manages data in a content repository or file system and its associated metadata in the same content repository or in a database, which will greatly simplify both content management logic and client application logic. The system architecture enables users to add scalable content managers as needed, which allows users to easily scale up the scalable content manager system, in both data size and user connection, as business grows. With the present scalable system architecture, a multi-node content management system will appear to be a single content management system to users, providing location transparency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a multi-tier object-relational database architecture are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a multi-tier database architecture comprises an object-relational database engine as a top tier, one or more domain-specific extension modules as a bottom tier, and one or more universal extension modules as a middle tier. The individual extension modules of the bottom tier operationally connect with the one or more universal extension modules which, themselves, operationally connect with the database engine. The domain-specific extension modules preferably provide such functions as search, index, and retrieval services of images, video, audio, time series, web pages, text, XML, spatial data, etc. The domain-specific extension modules may include one or more IBM DB2 extenders, Oracle data cartridges and/or Informix datablades, although other domain-specific extension modules may be used.