Abstract: A distributed type of database system according to the present invention comprises a communication line for transmitting, when a transaction is generated in any of a plurality of DB sites, a request message for requesting permission of updating from the DB site to a broadcasting station site. After receiving the message, it is determined in the broadcasting station site whether a permission for updating should be given or not. The result of the determination is transmitted to all the DB sites in the broadcasting mode through a satellite.

Abstract: An automatic interface layout generator for database systems is disclosed herein. The automatic generator includes a specification tool for specifying a set of block descriptions representative of specified portions of a database. A block layout generator produces interface objects to be included within an interface of the database, wherein each of the interface objects corresponds to one of the block descriptions and includes a plurality of layout fields. A layout quality parameter is determined for each of the interface objects based on arrangement of the layout fields within the interface objects. A block placement generator arranges sets of the interface objects into block configurations within the interface. A placement quality parameter for each of the block configurations is derived based on a set of block placement rules and on the layout quality parameters, and a final block configuration is selected by comparing the placement quality parameters corresponding to particular block configurations.