Abstract: A method of transferring a set of data elements to a recipient on a network, the network includes a set of devices registered to the recipient. The method also includes receiving the set of data elements. The method further includes ascertaining if the first device is present on the network and if the first user is available via the first device based on status information received via set network. If the first device is present on the network and if the first user is available via the first device, the method includes transferring the set of set of data elements to the first device. And, if the first device is not present on the network or if the first user is not available via the first device, the method further includes transferring the set of set of data elements to the second device if the second device is present on the network and if the first user is available via the second device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a lineage for a data field is disclosed. The method may include creating a unique identifier for a data field. Also, a record of the origin of data is created when the data is inserted into the data field; however this is not required. The record of the origin of data is associated with the unique identifier for the data field. The lineage for the data field may be viewed. In so doing, the transformations to the data field may be shown.

Abstract: An enterprise link for a software database is coupled to existing enterprise systems within an organization and also to an active data cache. The enterprise link contains an active designer whereby a user is able to create one or more data flow definitions on how to operate on data stored in the enterprise systems as the data in those systems changes. The transformed data is transmitted to a data flow service in the enterprise link in real-time where it is made available to end-users in the active data cache. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data using multi-tier caching are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a user request containing one or more data parameters and searching cache memories of multiple tiers until finding a parameterized result set associated with the data parameters. The multiple tiers correspond to stages in the transformation of data retrieved from one or more data sources according to the user request. Once the parameterized result set associated with the data parameters is found, it is used to create a final result set.

Abstract: A deferred transaction mechanism facilitates multi-threaded operation of database application programs. The deferred transaction mechanism allows data items to be committed from the local memory of a computer system to a database system in a background thread, while other foreground threads continue to read the data item. In most instances, this makes the delay in committing a data item to the database imperceptible to a human user of a database application program. The deferred transaction mechanism further supports an “undo” feature, which allows modifications to a data item located in a computer's local memory to be rapidly discarded.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes data descriptions of data in a database. The data descriptions include baseviews and metaviews. The baseviews reference specific portions of the actual database schema while the metaviews provide descriptions of baseviews. Each baseview includes specific references to specific columns in tables stored in the database.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an architecture for extending the data requesting and data viewing capabilities of a database system. Data from the database is requested and viewed using a plan. The plan defines the steps to perform to request and view the data. The extensible architecture allows for the relatively easy addition of new steps for use in the database retrieval and viewing system. In one system, each step includes executable code for accessing, manipulating and/or outputting data. Each step conforms to a predefined interface that allows the step to be used in a plan, manipulate data received from another step (if necessary), and output data to another step (if necessary). By generating steps that conform to the predefined interface, developers can extend the functionality of the data retrieval and viewing application.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an architecture for extending the data requesting and data viewing capabilities of a database system. Data from the database is requested and viewed using a plan. The plan defines the steps to perform to request and view the data. The extensible architecture allows for the relatively easy addition of new steps for use in the database retrieval and viewing system. In one system, each step includes executable code for accessing, manipulating and/or outputting data. Each step conforms to a predefined interface that allows the step to be used in a plan, manipulate data received from another step (if necessary), and output data to another step (if necessary). By generating steps that conform to the predefined interface, developers can extend the functionality of the data retrieval and viewing application.

Abstract: A deferred transaction mechanism facilitates multi-threaded operation of database application programs. The deferred transaction mechanism allows data items to be committed from the local memory of a computer system to a database system in a background thread, while other foreground threads continue to read the data item. In most instances, this makes the delay in committing a data item to the database imperceptible to a human user of a database application program. The deferred transaction mechanism further supports an "undo" feature, which allows modifications to a data item located in a computer's local memory to be rapidly discarded.