Abstract: Making data available from a database is disclosed. Making data available includes specifying a query function having a query function name, wherein the query function includes a structure and a member, determining the structure and the member included in the query function, wherein the query function has a query function name and includes the structure and the member, creating an index for the structure on the member, and compiling the query function to be available to a user by invoking the query function name without the user having to specify the structure and the member. Retrieving data from a database is disclosed. Retrieving includes invoking a query function that specifies a plurality of structures and a value, accessing a cross index of the plurality of structures, and using the cross index to access the data.

Abstract: A technique for enforcing a database relationship is disclosed. The technique includes specifying within a database schema a reference type that associates two structures and specifies the relationship between the two structures, and automatically generating code that checks the relationship between the two structures based on the specified reference in the database schema.

Abstract: Replicating data in a distributed database having a plurality of nodes is disclosed. Replicating includes receiving a semantic command at a local version of the database at a node, interpreting the semantic command, and applying the semantic command to the local version of the database.

Abstract: A technique for converting a first version of a database to a second version is disclosed. The technique includes determining available translation steps, selecting a translation path from the first version of the database to the second version, and executing the selected translation steps in the translation path. The translation path includes selected translation steps from among the available translation steps.

Abstract: Techniques for writing data in a distributed database system having a plurality of members and a master are disclosed. In one embodiment, a write request is received at an originating member. The write request is applied to a version of a database on the originating member and is placed in a journal queue of items for propagating to the master in one single atomic action. The write request is propagated to the master. Whether the propagated write request is associated with a conflict is determined, and in an event it is determined that the propagated write request is associated with the conflict, an indication that the write request is associated with the conflict is sent to the originating member.

Abstract: Replicating data in a distributed database having a plurality of nodes is disclosed. Replicating includes receiving a semantic command at a local version of the database at a node, interpreting the semantic command, and applying the semantic command to the local version of the database.

Abstract: Techniques for writing data in a distributed database system having a plurality of members and a master are disclosed. In one embodiment, a write request is received at an originating member. The write request is applied to a version of a database on the originating member and is placed in a journal queue of items for propagating to the master in one single atomic action. The write request is propagated to the master. Whether the propagated write request is associated with a conflict is determined, and in an event it is determined that the propagated write request is associated with the conflict, an indication that the write request is associated with the conflict is sent to the originating member.

Abstract: A technique for enforcing a database relationship is disclosed. The technique includes specifying within a database schema a reference type that associates two structures and specifies the relationship between the two structures, and automatically generating code that checks the relationship between the two structures based on the specified reference in the database schema.

Abstract: A technique for enforcing a database relationship is disclosed. The technique includes specifying within a database schema a reference type that associates two structures and specifies the relationship between the two structures, and automatically generating code that checks the relationship between the two structures based on the specified reference in the database schema.

Abstract: Making data available from a database is disclosed. Making data available includes specifying a query function having a query function name, wherein the query function includes a structure and a member, determining the structure and the member included in the query function, wherein the query function has a query function name and includes the structure and the member, creating an index for the structure on the member, and compiling the query function to be available to a user by invoking the query function name without the user having to specify the structure and the member. Retrieving data from a database is disclosed. Retrieving includes invoking a query function that specifies a plurality of structures and a value, accessing a cross index of the plurality of structures, and using the cross index to access the data.

Abstract: Maintaining consistent DNS information is disclosed. Information associated with a resource is received. A resource record is populated with the information. View information is derived from the resource record.

Abstract: Making data available from a database is disclosed. Making data available includes specifying a query function having a query function name, wherein the query function includes a structure and a member, determining the structure and the member included in the query function, wherein the query function has a query function name and includes the structure and the member, creating an index for the structure on the member, and compiling the query function to be available to a user by invoking the query function name without the user having to specify the structure and the member. Retrieving data from a database is disclosed. Retrieving includes invoking a query function that specifies a plurality of structures and a value, accessing a cross index of the plurality of structures, and using the cross index to access the data.

Abstract: Maintaining consistent DNS information is disclosed. Information associated with a resource is received. A resource record is populated with the information. View information is derived from the resource record.

Abstract: Installing software on a network appliance having a short term memory and a hard disk is disclosed. Installing includes receiving an image of the software, loading the image into a short term memory on the network appliance, and writing the image to a hard disk on the network appliance. Updating software and data on a network appliance having a hard disk is disclosed. Updating includes writing a new version of software to an inactive software partition of the hard disk, writing an old version of data to an inactive data partition of the hard disk, activating the inactive software partition, and migrating the old version of data to a new version of data.

Abstract: A technique for propagating an update from a first database having a first version to a second database having a second version is disclosed. The technique includes receiving an update and the first version, determining a translation path, and translating the update to the second version.

Abstract: Writing data in a distributed database having a plurality of members and a master is disclosed. Writing includes receiving a write request at a member, writing to a version of the database on the member, propagating the write request to the master, and receiving an indication of the status of the write request on the master.

Abstract: Replicating data in a distributed database having a plurality of nodes is disclosed. Replicating includes receiving a semantic command at a local version of the database at a node, interpreting the semantic command, and applying the semantic command to the local version of the database.