Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for automatic workflow processing in a workflow processing computer system.

Abstract: Aspects for integrating encryption functionality into a database system are described. The aspects include providing at least two functions to support data encryption in a database system. The at least two functions are utilized within structured query language statements to preserve confidentiality of user-specified data in the database system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture implementing the method, transparently archives data. One or more data sources store data. A first data mover moves a first subset of data from the one or more data sources to a first federated archive in accordance with a first set of rules. In another aspect of the invention, a query is processed to retrieve a second subset of data, and a portion of the second subset of data is retrieved from the first federated archive. In yet another aspect of the invention, the processing of the query determines whether any data that would satisfy the query is stored in the first federated archive.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for mapping data objects residing in multiple data sources, or generated dynamically, into a single, reusable software component, for integrated information access to multiple disparate data sources, residing on or generating the data dynamically on different hardware systems and possibly in different data formats. The method has steps for identifying data objects in multiple data sources, employing an information integration software facility for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the software facility, creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects, and establishing a connection to the software facility for referencing the virtual data object as though it was a single real data object. It also has a step for wrapping this virtual data object as a reusable software component accessible directly from applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and program product for automatically generating an invoking mechanism from a web service description, thereby enabling integration of a service external to a database into a database such that the service may be easily invoked from the database. Preferably, the service is a web service available over the internet The service may be invoked from any of a number of invoking mechanisms of the database. In a first specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a user-defined function within an SQL statement. In a second specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a virtual table. In a third specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a stored procedure. In a fourth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a trigger. In a fifth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a federated table accessed via a nickname and implemented using a wrapper.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are described that eliminate the administrative complexities, latency and scalability restrictions associated with conventional methods for providing asynchronous access to database operations. An asynchronous messaging engine is integrated with and executed within a database system and provides access to database system capabilities and resources, such as shared memory, buffer pools, and process controls. The need for external asynchronous message data exchange processes is eliminated, thereby eliminating the latency associated with the extra hop conventionally required to move data from an external process to the database and eliminating the complexities associated with starting, stopping and monitoring such processes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for mapping data objects residing in multiple data sources, or generated dynamically, into a single, reusable software component, for integrated information access to multiple disparate data sources, residing on or generating the data dynamically on different hardware systems and possibly in different data formats. The method has steps for identifying data objects in multiple data sources, employing an information integration software facility for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the software facility, creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects, and establishing a connection to the software facility for referencing the virtual data object as though it was a single real data object. It also has a step for wrapping this virtual data object as a reusable software component accessible directly from applications.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for processing a data flow. A message is received at an input node. The message is transferred to a plurality of nodes according to a defined data flow. At one stored procedure node, the message is processed to generate input parameters for a stored procedure call. The stored procedure node transfers the stored procedure call to a stored procedure at a server computer, wherein the server executes the stored procedure to process data and generate output.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for mapping persistent data objects residing in multiple data sources into a single, reusable software component accessible to an object-oriented programming language application performed by the computer, for multi-database access to data that may be physically distributed and stored in disparate DBMSs, each stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the computer. The method has steps for identifying data objects in multiple data sources, employing a multi-database software facility for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the multi-database software facility, creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects, and establishing a connection to the multi-database software facility for referencing the virtual data object as though it was a single real data object.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for generating a program capable of invoking a flow of operations, wherein the program is capable of being initiated from an external call. A definition file defining a flow of operations and mapping information defining input parameters to the flow of operations are received. The received definition file and mapping information are processed to generate program statements within the program that when executed perform: setting input parameters to the flow of operations to values received from an external call to the program; invoking the flow of operations with the input parameters including values from the external call; and receiving output from the flow of operations and extracting at least one value from the received output to return to the external call.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and program product for integrating a service external to a database into a database such that the service may be easily invoked from the database. Preferably, the service is a web service available over the internet The service may be invoked from any of a number of invoking mechanisms of the database. In a first specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a user-defined function within an SQL statement. In a second specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a virtual table. In a third specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a stored procedure. In a fourth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a trigger. In a fifth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a federated table accessed via a nickname and implemented using a wrapper.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for processing a data flow. A message is received at an input node. The message is transferred to a plurality of nodes according to a defined data flow. At one stored procedure node, the message is processed to generate input parameters for a stored procedure call. The stored procedure node transfers the stored procedure call to a stored procedure at a server computer, wherein the server executes the stored procedure to process data and generate output.

Abstract: Aspects for integrating encryption functionality into a database system are described. The aspects include providing at least two functions to support data encryption in a database system. The at least two functions are utilized within structured query language statements to preserve confidentiality of user-specified data in the database system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for mapping persistent data objects residing in multiple data sources into a single, reusable software component accessible to an object-oriented programming language application performed by the computer, for multi-database access to data that may be physically distributed and stored in disparate DBMSs, each stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the computer. The method has steps for identifying data objects in multiple data sources, employing a multi-database software facility for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the multi-database software facility, creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects, and establishing a connection to the multi-database software facility for referencing the virtual data object as though it was a single real data object.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for enabling access to data. A call is received from a client to invoke a remote interface method. A remote interface implementation accesses parameters from the received call in response to the invocation of the remote interface method. A stored procedure call is generated with the accessed parameters as input parameters of the stored procedure. The stored procedure call is transferred to a stored procedure named by the call to execute. Output from the stored procedure is received and inserted into a data object that is returned to the client.