Abstract: A database query optimizer for a computer system having dynamically configurable logical partitions generates an optimized query strategy which is dependent on a logical partition configuration. When the query is executed, the configuration of the logical partition in which the query is executed is compared to the logical partition configuration for which the query was optimized. If the configurations are different, a new query can be automatically generated. Optimizing database queries to the current system configuration of a dynamic, logically partitioned system potentially offers greater efficiency in the execution of database queries for complex, logically partitioned systems.

Abstract: A database query optimizer for a computer system having dynamically configurable logical partitions generates an optimized query strategy which is dependent on a logical partition configuration. When the query is executed, the configuration of the logical partition in which the query is executed is compared to the logical partition configuration for which the query was optimized. If the configurations are different, a new query can be automatically generated. Optimizing database queries to the current system configuration of a dynamic, logically partitioned system potentially offers greater efficiency in the execution of database queries for complex, logically partitioned systems.

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: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture that allow saved abstract queries to be referenced from within query statements constructed using standard query languages, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), are provided.

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 processing rule sets and, more particularly, for processing abstract rule sets having one or more abstract rules. One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method of generating recommendations using a suitable rules engine. The method comprises retrieving an abstract rule having a conditional statement and a consequential statement. The consequential statement defines a particular recommendation that is returned when the conditional statement is satisfied. The conditional statement and the consequential statement are defined using logical field definitions defined in an abstraction model that models underlying physical data in a manner making a schema of the physical data transparent to a user of the abstraction model. The method further comprises transforming the abstract rule into a transformed rule; and executing, by the rules engine, the transformed rule.

Abstract: A database facility supports database join queries in a database environment having at least one database table divided into multiple partitions based on a partition key value. The facility determines whether the values in a table joined to the partitioned table place an implicit limitation on the partition key, and eliminates from query evaluation any partitions which do not satisfy the implicit limitation. Preferably, the database uses a star schema organization, in which implicit limitations in a relatively small dimension table are used to eliminate partitions in a relatively large fact table.

Abstract: A query facility for database queries dynamically determines whether selective portions of a database table are likely to benefit from separate query execution strategies, and constructs an appropriate separate execution strategies accordingly. Preferably, the database contains at least one relatively large table comprising multiple partitions, each sharing the definitional structure of the table and containing a different respective discrete subset of the table records. The query facility compares metadata for different partitions to determine whether sufficiently large differences exist among the partitions, and in appropriate cases selects one or more partitions for separate execution strategies. Preferably, partitions are ranked for separate evaluation using a weighting formula which takes into account: (a) the number of indexes for the partition, (b) recency of change activity, and (c) the size of the partition.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for query building with selectability of aggregation operations and grouping. Abstract queries are composed on the basis of a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in the database. The abstract queries may include result criterions and aggregation operations to be performed with respect to the result criterions for generating aggregation information. An object is generated containing query entities and allowing a user to selectively (i) generate an executable query corresponding to the abstract query inclusive of the aggregation operation and aggregation logic; and (ii) resolve the abstract query to the individual entities contained in the object exclusive of the aggregation operation and aggregation logic.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for providing a visual display of information that quickly conveys how information, as represented by data retrieved for a set of queries, may have changed over time is disclosed. By animating information retrieved for a plurality of queries, a visual display is created that conveys how a data in a database has changed over time. Users compose a query template specifying a plurality of queries. The query template further specifies a time period and frequency range over which the queries in the query template should be executed. After executing a query to retrieve data corresponding to each point in time, a snapshot of the database is available to generate the visual display of information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, determine performance data for query optimization of a query directed to a database table having multiple partitions. The performance data for the query optimization is presented in a user interface, and an option is provided in the user interface to create a non-spanning index for any of the partitions mentioned in the performance data.

Abstract: A query facility for database queries saves and re-uses query execution strategies, and automatically determines whether a strategy can be re-used when an imported variable changes. The query facility automatically saves one or more logical conditions associated with the one or more imported variables in the query. When the query is reused, the logical conditions are evaluated using the imported variable values, and the previously saved execution strategy is used only if the condition or conditions are met. Preferably, the logical conditions express a range of imported variable values which are included in a database subset data structure used by the saved query execution strategy, such as a materialized query table or partitioned table. Logical conditions are preferably generated by negating the predicates from a logical expression defining the applicability of the execution strategy, inserting the negated predicates into the query, and performing a transitive closure.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for query processing and, more particularly, for managing execution of queries with respect to different data sources. The different data sources may be logically represented by one or more data abstraction models. One embodiment comprises receiving a first abstract query against physical data in a first data source. The first abstract query has one or more result fields configured to return requested data from the first data source. In response to receiving the first abstract query and determining that the first abstract query is configured for retrieving data from the first data source, it is detected whether the first data source is available. If the first data source is unavailable, a second abstract query against physical data in a second data source containing at least a portion of the requested data is created on the basis of the first abstract query.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are provided for enhancing abstract queries by utilizing logical fields with conditional constraints. Building abstract queries with logical fields configured with conditional constraints allows for optimized physical queries to be generated from corresponding abstract queries.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data represented abstractly through an abstraction model. In one embodiment, a data repository abstraction layer provides a logical view of an underlying data repository that is independent of the particular manner of data representation. A query abstraction layer is also provided and is based on the data repository abstraction layer. A runtime component performs conversion of an abstract query (i.e., a request for results or a request to modify data) into a form that can be used against a particular physical data representation. Abstract and/or physical queries are transformed according to model entities which define a relationship between logical fields of the data repository abstraction layer.

Abstract: Method, computer readable medium and computer system are provided for coordinating configuration changes among components in a multi-component environment.

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: 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 and apparatus for optimizing an abstract query are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention allow an abstract database to optimize an abstract query composed from a set of logical fields. Each logical field includes a field name and an access method used to map the logical field to an underlying physical representation of the data. After a user composes an abstract query and submits it for execution, a runtime component and optimization component may be configured to resolve the abstract query to a physical query of the underlying physical data source using an access method associated with each logical field. In addition, as the runtime component builds a query consistent with the schema of the underlying database, an optimizing component may modify the query using any suitable optimization techniques.

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.