Abstract: A computer data processing system. A method for clustering data in a database comprising providing a database having a number of data records having both discrete and continuous attributes. Grouping together data records from the database which have specified discrete attribute configurations. Clustering data records having the same or similar specified discrete attribute configuration based on the continuous attributes to produce an intermediate set of data clusters. And, merging together clusters from the intermediate set of data clusters to produce a clustering model.

Abstract: In a computer data processing system, method and apparatus for clustering data in a database. A database having a number of data records having both discrete and continuous attributes is stored on one or more storage media which may be connected by a network. The records in the database are scanned so that data records which have the same discrete attribute configuration can be tabulated. A first set of configurations is determined wherein the number of data records of each configuration of said first set of configurations exceeds a threshold number of data records. Data records that do not belong to one of the first set of configurations are added to or tabulated with a configuration within said first set of configurations to produce a subset of records from the database belonging to configurations in the first set of configurations.