Abstract: A graphical application developing and managing environment is described capable of representing and editing program modules using multiple display formats, which include embedding source code written in a functional language into a spreadsheet-like format. Methods are described for enabling the sharing of program modules by defining standardized interfaces into program modules and existing documents and by centrally locating module definitions. A patchwork mechanism is described requiring only basic spreadsheet editing skills on behalf of the user, enabling a user of the environment to connect external documents and program modules into a new program application. The invention allows complicated programming and simple end user programming to be achieved within a unified environment and allows the execution of program modules and tracing of variables simultaneously with the writing of a program application.

Abstract: A graphical application developing and managing environment is described capable of representing and editing program modules using multiple display formats, which include embedding source code written in a functional language into a spreadsheet-like format. Methods are described for enabling the sharing of program modules by defining standardized interfaces into program modules and existing documents and by centrally locating module definitions. A patchwork mechanism is described requiring only basic spreadsheet editing skills on behalf of the user, enabling a user of the environment to connect external documents and program modules into a new program application. The invention allows complicated programming and simple end-user programming to be achieved within a unified environment and allows the execution of program modules and tracing of variables simultaneously with the writing of a program application.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatus that facilitate efficient querying of tables referencing semistructured data such as digraphs and other domains with complex grouping structure. The invention methods enable meaningful indexing of the tables as well as rewriting of queries with respect to the structures. Dynamic schema extraction using proper coloring algorithms is disclosed that structures the semistructured data in such a way that complex set operations and grouping are replaced with traditional relational joins. This enables a relational database system to harness its entire query optimizing capability when querying tables referencing semistructured data.

Abstract: The current invention discloses methods for transforming a set of relations into multidimensional data cubes. A syntheses process is disclosed that dynamically and with minimal user input eliminates ambiguities when populating a data cube by introducing table-like virtual relations. The methods are generic and applicable to many data warehouse designs. The methods support relational OLAP for a wider variety of data and structures than possible using current relational implementation schemas.

Abstract: A graphical application developing and managing environment is described capable of representing and editing program modules using multiple display formats, which include embedding source code written in a functional language into a spreadsheet-like format. Methods are described for enabling the sharing of program modules by defining standardized interfaces into program modules and existing documents and by centrally locating module definitions. A patchwork mechanism is described requiring only basic spreadsheet editing skills on behalf of the user, enabling a user of the environment to connect external documents and program modules into a new program application. The invention allows complicated programming and simple end-user programming to be achieved within a unified environment and allows the execution of program modules and tracing of variables simultaneously with the writing of a program application.

Abstract: A graphical application developing and managing environment is described capable of representing and editing program modules using multiple display formats, which include embedding source code written in a functional language into a spreadsheet-like format. Methods are described for enabling the sharing of program modules by defining standardized interfaces into program modules and existing documents and by centrally locating module definitions. A patchwork mechanism is described requiring only basic spreadsheet editing skills on behalf of the user, enabling a user of the environment to connect external documents and program modules into a new program application. The invention allows complicated programming and simple end-user programming to be achieved within a unified environment and allows the execution of program modules and tracing of variables simultaneously with the writing of a program application.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and methods that facilitate efficient querying of tables referencing spatial object types. The methods enable meaningful indexing of the tables as well as rewriting of queries with respect to the spatial structures. Dynamic schema extraction using efficient proper coloring algorithms for large sets of spatial objects is disclosed that structures the data in such a way that complex spatial queries and grouping of objects is replaced with traditional relational joins. This enables a relational database system to harness its entire query optimizing capability when querying tables referencing spatial objects.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatus that facilitate efficient querying of tables referencing semistructured data such as digraphs and other domains with complex grouping structure. The invention methods enable meaningful indexing of the tables as well as rewriting of queries with respect to the structures. Dynamic schema extraction using proper coloring algorithms is disclosed that structures the semistructured data in such a way that complex set operations and grouping are replaced with traditional relational joins. This enables a relational database system to harness its entire query optimizing capability when querying tables referencing semistructured data.

Abstract: A graphical SQL query generator and query operators are disclosed. The query tool embeds matrix objects that are used for building and transforming SQL based queries, views, data cubes and other relations including “virtual” or calculated relations. The matrix objects trace the structure of a relation to its source data and thereby make the structure of complex multilayered database queries transparent to the end-user. The methods are especially useful in data warehousing where the buildup of fact tables in star or other schemas needs to be transparent to the user. Thus, a system is disclosed that is able to quickly reveal how data warehousing schemas and relations in SQL and similar relational type databases evolve from source data and each other into more complicated structures. It supports the creation and maintenance of complex database structures such as scientific studies and other decision support structures as well as simplifying ad-hoc querying of SQL databases.

Abstract: The current invention discloses methods for transforming a set of relations into multidimensional data cubes. A syntheses process is disclosed that dynamically and with minimal user input eliminates ambiguities when populating a data cube by introducing table-like virtual relations. The methods are generic and applicable to many data warehouse designs. The methods support relational OLAP for a wider variety of data and structures than possible using current relational implementation schemas.

Abstract: The current mechanism discloses methods for transforming a set of heterogeneous relations into multidimensional data cubes. A syntheses process is disclosed that dynamically and with minimal user input eliminates ambiguities in a populated hypercube. Including, ambiguities reflecting dependencies between dimensions in the hypercube as well as reflecting the need for supporting points in the cube with realistic observations. The hypercubes also support complex dimension structures, complex operations and hierarchies that are not necessary regular or of aggregation type. The methods are generic and applicable to any data warehouse design. The methods enable relational OLAP for a wider variety of data and structures than possible using current relational implementation schemas.

Abstract: A graphical SQL query generator and query operators are disclosed. The query tool embeds matrix objects that are used for building and transforming SQL based queries, views, data cubes and other relations including “virtual” or calculated relations. The matrix objects trace the structure of a relation to its source data and thereby make the structure of complex multilayered database queries transparent to the end-user. The methods are especially useful in data warehousing where the buildup of fact tables in star or other schemas needs to be transparent to the user. Thus, a system is disclosed that is able to quickly reveal how data warehousing schemas and relations in SQL and similar relational type databases evolve from source data and each other into more complicated structures. It supports the creation and maintenance of complex database structures such as scientific studies and other decision support structures as well as simplifying ad-hoc querying of SQL databases.

Abstract: A method/operator is disclosed that modifies dimension structures and relations during processing in a multidimensional data cube. The online “blowup” operator disclosed uses one or more hierarchical structures to expand a hypercube in order to reveal internal connections between attributes in relations associated with the hypercube. The operator is generic and may be applied to any dimension using hierarchical structures to guide the process. Furthermore, it is applicable to any data warehouse design. The methods enable a user, performing multidimensional analysis, to view, online, internal connections between attributes when going from one level to another in the hierarchical structures. Such as when comparing complex health related statistics for individuals across different age periods or for individuals versus their ancestors. The methods disclosed, facilitate OLAP for more complex data than current designs do.

Abstract: A method/operator is disclosed that adjusts measurements during processing in a multidimensional data cube. The online “depth-of-field” operator disclosed varies the density of points in a representation of the multidimensional cube. The operator may be applied to any collection of dimensions and relations supported by the dimensions, using hierarchical structures to control the adjustments. It allows one to experiment online with the definition of relations during multidimensional possessing, thereby controlling the output of the synthesizing process. The operator may be used to equate attributes based on their hierarchical positions when processing measurements in a hypercube. Furthermore, it may be used to reveal hidden dependencies between variables when working with measurements with varying levels of granularity.

Abstract: A graphical application developing and managing environment is described capable of representing and editing program modules using multiple display formats, which include embedding source code written in a functional language into a spreadsheet-like format. Methods are described for enabling the sharing of program modules by defining standardized interfaces into program modules and existing documents and by centrally locating module definitions. A patchwork mechanism is described requiring only basic spreadsheet editing skills on behalf of the user, enabling a user of the environment to connect external documents and program modules into a new program application. The invention allows complicated programming and simple end-user programming to be achieved within a unified environment and allows the execution of program modules and tracing of variables simultaneously with the writing of a program application.

Abstract: A graphical application developing and managing environment is described capable of representing and editing program modules using multiple display formats, which include embedding source code written in a functional language into a spreadsheet-like format. Methods are described for enabling the sharing of program modules by defining standardized interfaces into program modules and existing documents and by centrally locating module definitions. A patchwork mechanism is descried requiring only basic spreadsheet editing skills on behalf of the user, enabling a user of the environment to connect external documents and program modules into a new program application. The invention allows complicated programming and simple end-user programming to be achieved within a unified environment and allows the execution of program modules and tracing of variables simultaneously with the writing of a program application.