Abstract: A method for searching for data among a plurality of disparate databases includes a processor: displaying an indication of contents of each of the plurality of disparate databases, comprising displaying a data field descriptor for one or more database fields of each of the plurality of disparate databases; receiving a search selection directed to one or more of the one or more database fields; returning a first search result comprising database entries matching the search selection; saving the first search result as a first temporary database; receiving a second search request directed to the first temporary database; returning a second search result comprising entries in the temporary database matching the further search request; and saving the second search result as a second temporary database.

Abstract: A data search and manipulation method includes accessing, by a processor, a first data element of a first data structure, the first data structure represented by a first icon, the first icon displayed in a user interface; accessing, by the processor, a second data element of a second data structure, the second data structure represented by a second icon displayed in the user interface; executing, by the processor, a first data manipulation process in response to the first icon dragged over the second icon; and executing, by the processor, a second data manipulation process in response to the second icon dragged over the first icon.

Abstract: A method implemented on a computer for searching databases includes the computer receiving a search query for a database, the database including database fields; and dynamically providing and displaying a list of a plurality of the database fields. The list includes a descriptor indicating a data category of each database field. The computer also dynamically determines a quantity of entries in each database field. For each database field, the computer dynamically sets a limit based on a capacity to display the quantity of entries and for each database field having the quantity of entries exceeding the limit, the computer truncates data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable quantity of entries is achieved. The computer then displays the truncated data.

Abstract: A Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly search engine provides an intuitive means for searching databases, allowing a user to access data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired search term, and the search engine searches the database for all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The search engine then conducts a further search using these criteria and produces a second search result. Further narrowing or broadening of the search are permitted, with the search-on-the-fly search engine returning results based on any new constraints. If the returned data would be too large to be conveniently displayed at a terminal, the search engine executes a truncation routine so that the returned data is easily displayed.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method for accessing data from a data source includes using search-on-the-fly to displaying an initial view of the data source. The initial view includes, as a first data field result list, a dynamically-determined set of first available data fields upon which a data query may be run. The method further includes executing data queries by executing a search-on-the-fly operation. The search-on-the-fly operation includes receiving a first selection of one of the first available data fields and displaying as a first data element result list, a first set of available data elements of the selected first available data field. The method still further includes executing a sort-on-the-fly operation by receiving a sort-on-the-fly command and displaying a second view of the data source. The second view includes as a second data field result list of all data fields from the initial view except the selected first available data field.

Abstract: A method implemented on a computer for searching databases includes the computer receiving a search query for a database, the database including database fields; and dynamically providing and displaying a list of a plurality of the database fields. The list includes a descriptor indicating a data category of each database field. The computer also dynamically determines a quantity of entries in each database field. For each database field, the computer dynamically sets a limit based on a capacity to display the quantity of entries and for each database field having the quantity of entries exceeding the limit, the computer truncates data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable quantity of entries is achieved. The computer then displays the truncated data.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method for accessing data from a data source includes using search-on-the-fly to displaying an initial view of the data source. The initial view includes, as a first data field result list, a dynamically-determined set of first available data fields upon which a data query may be run. The method further includes executing data queries by executing a search-on-the-fly operation. The search-on-the-fly operation includes receiving a first selection of one of the first available data fields and displaying as a first data element result list, a first set of available data elements of the selected first available data field. The method still further includes executing a sort-on-the-fly operation by receiving a sort-on-the-fly command and displaying a second view of the data source. The second view includes as a second data field result list of all data fields from the initial view except the selected first available data field.

Abstract: A method implemented on a computer for searching databases includes the computer receiving a search query for a database, the database including database fields; and dynamically providing and displaying a list of a plurality of the database fields. The list includes a descriptor indicating a data category of each database field. The computer also dynamically determines a quantity of entries in each database field. For each database field, the computer dynamically sets a limit based on a capacity to display the quantity of entries and for each database field having the quantity of entries exceeding the limit, the computer truncates data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable quantity of entries is achieved. The computer then displays the truncated data.

Abstract: A data search and manipulation method includes accessing, by a processor, a first data element of a first data structure, the first data structure represented by a first icon, the first icon displayed in a user interface; accessing, by the processor, a second data element of a second data structure, the second data structure represented by a second icon displayed in the user interface; executing, by the processor, a first data manipulation process in response to the first icon dragged over the second icon; and executing, by the processor, a second data manipulation process in response to the second icon dragged over t

Abstract: A Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly search engine provides an intuitive means for searching databases, allowing a user to access data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired search term, and the search engine searches the database for all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The database need not have a specific file (in a flat database) or a table (in a relational database) of names. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The search engine then conducts a further search using this criteria and produces a second search result. Further narrowing or broadening of the search are permitted, with the search-on-the-fly search engine returning results based on any new constraints.

Abstract: A Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly search engine provides an intuitive means for searching databases, allowing a user to access data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired search term, and the search engine searches the database for all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The database need not have a specific file (in a flat database) or a table (in a relational database) of names. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The search engine then conducts a further search using this criteria and produces a second search result. Further narrowing or broadening of the search are permitted, with the search-on-the-fly search engine returning results based on any new constraints.

Abstract: A Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly search engine provides an intuitive mechanisms for searching databases, allowing a user to access data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired search term, and the search engine searches the database for all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The database need not have a specific file (in a flat database) or a table (in a relational database) of names. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The search engine then conducts a further search using this criteria and produces a second search result. Further narrowing or broadening of the search are permitted, with the search-on-the-fly search engine returning results based on any new constraints.