Abstract: A multi-layer abstraction bucket mechanism connected between applications programs and at least one data source and providing to the users transformations of data and the results of processes performed on the data. The multi-layer abstraction bucket mechanism includes hierarchically connected abstraction layers, each including a methods object for storing methods for performing operations on data received from a data bucket of a hierarchically next lower abstraction layer, a data operation object for selecting a method to be executed by the method object, a data bucket for storing the results of an executed method, and a map for storing information for constructing the data bucket and for relating requests to methods residing in the methods object. The mechanism includes a data extraction layer and an abstraction layer. At least one abstraction layer is a data transformation layer while others include a data processing layer and a rules transformation layer for performing the rule based decision operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to database data by applications programs executing on a computer system wherein a database bucket mechanism is interposed between one or more application programs and one or more databases. The bucket mechanism is comprised of an applications interface communicating with each of the applications programs in their native modes and a bucket engine generating "buckets" containing "bucket objects". Each bucket represents a group or class of database data members and contains one or more bucket data objects containing members of the databases, a database object mapping the bucket data object to the databases and an access object containing methods for accessing the databases in their native modes. Buckets and bucket data objects are constructed by the bucket engine according to information stored in an object map and a table map.