Abstract: The described database (100) for receiving information, the described method and information management program (90), and the described apparatus for receiving and administering information in the form of arbitrarily structured data sets in at least one storage device of one or more data processing devices, has hierarchy levels, whereby a superior hierarchy level (119) contains information elements (111, 112, 113) for the definition of a structure of information elements (130, 140, 150) of a subordinate hierarchy level (129), and a subordinate hierarchy level (129) contains information elements (130, 140, 150) in an instantiation (131-136, 141-146, 151-156) in accordance with the structure which is defined at least by one information element (111, 112, 113) of the superior hierarchy level (119). As a result one obtains a database (100) having self-defining information.

Abstract: The described database (100) for receiving information, the described method and information management program (90), and the described apparatus for receiving and administering information in the form of arbitrarily structured data sets in at least one storage device of one or more data processing devices, has hierarchy levels, whereby a superior hierarchy level (119) contains information elements (111, 112, 113) for the definition of a structure of information elements (130, 140, 150) of a subordinate hierarchy level (129), and a subordinate hierarchy level (129) contains information elements (130, 140, 150) in an instantiation (131-136, 141-146, 151-156) in accordance with the structure which is defined at least by one information element (111, 112, 113) of the superior hierarchy level (119). As a result one obtains a database (100) having self-defining information.