Abstract: The information management and database system of the present invention comprises a flexible, self-referential table that stores data. The table of the present invention may store any type of data, both structured and unstructured, and provides an interface to other application programs. The table of the present invention comprises a plurality of rows and columns. Each row has an object identification number (OID) and each column also has an OID. A row corresponds to a record and a column corresponds to a field such that the intersection of a row and a column comprises a cell that may contain data for a particular record related to a particular field, a cell may also point to another record. To enhance searching and to provide for synchronization between columns, columns are entered as rows in the table and the record corresponding to a column contains various information about the column. The table includes an index structure for extended queries.

Abstract: The information management and database system of the present invention comprises a flexible, self-referential table that stores data. The table of the present invention may store any type of data, both structured and unstructured, and provides an interface to other application programs. The table of the present invention comprises a plurality of rows and columns. Each row has an object identification number (OID) and each column also has an OID. A row corresponds to a record and a column corresponds to a field such that the intersection of a row and a column comprises a cell that may contain data for a particular record related to a particular field, a cell may also point to another record. To enhance searching and to provide for synchronization between columns, columns are entered as rows in the table and the record corresponding to a column contains various information about the column. The table includes an index structure for extended queries.

Abstract: A distributed storage system provides a method and apparatus for storing, retrieving, and sharing data items across multiple physical storage devices that may not always be connected with one another. The distributed storage system of the present invention comprises one or more `partitions` on distinct storage devices, with each partition comprising of a group of associated data files. Partitions can be of various types. Journal partitions may be written to by a user and contain the user's updates to shared files. In the preferred embodiment, journal partitions reside on a storage device associated with a client computer in a client-server architecture. Other types of partitions, library and archive partitions, may reside on storage devices associated with a server computer in a client-server architecture. The files on the journal partitions of the various clients may, at various times, be merged into a consolidation file or a file resident within the library partition.

Abstract: A distributed storage system provides a method and apparatus for storing, retrieving, and sharing data items across multiple physical storage devices that may not always be connected with one another. The distributed storage system of the present invention comprises one or more `partitions` on distinct storage devices, with each partition comprising of a group of associated data files. Partitions can be of various types. Journal partitions may be written to by a user and contain the user's updates to shared files. In the preferred embodiment, journal partitions reside on a storage device associated with a client computer in a client-server architecture. Other types of partitions, library and archive partitions, may reside on storage devices associated with a server computer in a client-server architecture. The files on the journal partitions of the various clients may, at various times, be merged into a file resident within the library partition.

Abstract: The information management and database system of the present invention comprises a flexible, self-referential table that stores data. The table of the present invention may store any type of data, both structured and unstructured, and provides an interface to other application programs. The table of the present invention comprises a plurality of rows and columns. Each row has an object identification number (OID) and each column also has an OID. A row corresponds to a record and a column corresponds to a field such that the intersection of a row and a column comprises a cell that may contain data for a particular record related to a particular field, a cell may also point to another record. To enhance searching and to provide for synchronization between columns, columns are entered as rows in the table and the record corresponding to a column contains various information about the column. The table includes an index structure for extended queries.