Abstract: A new interface and methods allow a new versatility both in both managing a database, and in presenting hierarchical database information in a more useful way. User marks are used to determine the visibility of the elements at the various hierarchical levels in a hierarchical directory structure of a database. Hence, the user marks are user hierarchical visibility marks. The user hierarchical visibility marks are automatically propagated to other elements in the structure according to a filter selected by the user, for example.

Abstract: A new interface and methods allow a new versatility both in both managing a database, and in presenting hierarchical database information in a more useful way. User marks are used to determine the visibility of the elements at the various hierarchical levels in a hierarchical directory structure of a database. Hence, the user marks are user hierarchical visibility marks. The user hierarchical visibility marks are automatically propagated to other elements in the structure according to a filter selected by the user, for example.

Abstract: A computer-based method for defining properties of columns of database tables includes receiving a user input selecting at least one source column of a first database table as a source from which metadata defining the properties of said at least one source column is to be copied, receiving a user input selecting a location of a definition table as a target into which said metadata is to be copied wherein said definition table defines column properties of a second database table, and copying said metadata from said source to said target to define the properties of at least one column of said second database table such that said at least one column of said second database table corresponds to the definition of the properties of said at least one source column of said first database table selected as said source.