Abstract: A method is provided for compressing results of a join query. A join order of a result set is determined from the join query, where the result set includes a plurality of tuples. A plurality of dictionary entries for the result set is received. A nested hierarchy of dictionaries is created based on the join order and the dictionary entries. A plurality of encoded tuples is received. The nested hierarchy of dictionaries is used by a processor to decode the plurality of encoded tuples so as to produce the plurality of tuples of the result set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for cross-silo query and data retrieval. A request to access a data object in a trusted database is received, wherein the request includes an enterprise-wide unique identifier of a data object or one or more metadata attribute value pairs. If the request comprises one or more metadata attribute value pairs, one or more enterprise-wide unique identifiers associated with the metadata attribute value pairs are identified. Using the enterprise-wide unique identifiers, metadata about the data object stored in one or more enterprise-level data stores or the trusted database is retrieved. The metadata about the data object is queried to identify related data objects in disparate trusted databases in the enterprise system. The data object and the related data objects are provided to the application.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method of performing a conceptual similarity search comprises the steps of: generating one or more conceptual word-chains from one or more documents to be used in the conceptual similarity search; building a conceptual index of documents with the one or more word-chains; and evaluating a similarity query using the conceptual index. The evaluating step preferably returns one or more of the closest documents resulting from the search; one or more matching word-chains in the one or more documents; and one or more matching topical words of the one or more documents.

Abstract: A system and method for storing related data is disclosed, which receives a number of concepts related to the data to be stored, forms a number of relationships linking the concepts together, and which then represents the data in a way reflecting both the concepts and the relationships between the concepts. The relationships formed by the disclosed system include a number of independent aspects which add useful levels of meaning to the way the information is organized. One aspect of the relationships formed between concepts reflects predetermined application specific meanings that may be applied to individual relationships. Accordingly, the relationships provided in any specific embodiment of the disclosed system are defined to reflect a specific application of the system, such as, for example, a catalog service for receiving, storing, and publishing product-related information.