Abstract: A transaction, consisting of a compilation of changes made to one or more data objects of a database, is transfered to a primary transaction engine of a primary database for processing. A copy of the transaction is sent by the primary transaction engine to a shadow transaction engine of a mirror database for processing in the local store. The transactions are then processed by the respective transaction engines. If the transaction is successfully processed by both transaction engines, the respective databases are updated from the local data store. If one of the transactions is not successfully processed, the system takes corrective action and optionally notifies the user.

Abstract: In a data processing system in which data is entered and validated, a method for performing edit procedures, according to which edit procedures are associated with input attributes via a table. The edit procedures are applied in a predetermined, yet modifiable order.

Abstract: Information is displayed from an information based computer system which comprises the consolidation of information from various object instances onto a single form. Changes or corrections to data values are maintained in a historical record. When the form is displayed, options are provided indicating whether there are older or newer data values resulting from changes or corrections being made to the original data value.

Abstract: The database is provided with an audit trail for the structure types of the object instances. As a component of an object instance of the database is corrected/changed, the corrected/changed component is substituted for the original component and the original component is linked to the corrected/changed component.

Abstract: Data is retrieved from a database, whose physical organization (indexed matrix) is similar to the logical organization (spread sheet) of the data, by requesting the parameters and the desired time interval. A data interface locates pages in the database containing the requested parameters. Entries from page indexes relating to desired parameters are consolidated into a master composite index. Pages relating to the time period requested are then bound and searched to find the desired data. This data is then returned to the requesting application.

Abstract: A spreadsheet comprised of a plurality of cells is described wherein each cell is separately identified by one or more parameters. The cells are dynamically configured so that the size may be changed depending on the information to be displayed. Each cell has an accompanying form which contains information. The information is generally broken down into mandatory, optional, notational, and other information. The determination of how the information is classified is determined by the cell definition, not by the form or data being displayed. Each cell will display the mandatory information and may display the optional information if present in the form. In addition, a notation (or indicator) will be displayed in the cell if notational information is present in the form.