Abstract: A method for transparently upgrading derived database objects commences upon analysis of the data dictionary definition for an initial derived database object as compared to the data dictionary definition for a patched derived database object, then determining if a regenerated instance of the derived database object would be logically different from the initial derived database object. The determination is based on comparisons of the definitions of the initial derived database objects and patched definitions of respective database objects. The method produces a regenerated instance of the derived database object when a regenerated instance of the patched derived database object would be logically different from the initial derived database object. The method will suppress the production of a regenerated instance when a regenerated instance of the derived database object would not be logically different from the initial derived database object.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing upgrades of database systems using a transparently-patched seed data table. The method commences on a running system by copying (while software applications are running) portions of data comprising a seed data table to database table rows that are temporarily inaccessible by the software applications. The copy operation creates new rows (a seed data table copy) in a database table. The method continues while software applications are running by modifying the seed data table copy (e.g., by applying a patch). For a brief time, the method stops the software applications, then changes the database table rows that were temporarily inaccessible by the software applications to become accessible by the software applications and restarts the software application to point to the patched seed data table copy. The patch can add or change a column of the seed data table copy or its schema.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for reducing downtime during upgrades of interrelated components in a computing environment. The method commences while at least one running software application is executing within the computing environment by loading a plurality of database objects from an initial run edition into a patch edition. The database objects comprise at least one software application code module, at least one relational database table, and at least one file system. The method continues by applying at least one patch to the software application code module(s) corresponding to the running software application(s) to create patched software application(s), then applying patches to the relational database table to create a patched relational database table, and further applying a patch to the file system to create a patched file system. When the subject patches have been applied, the method stops the running software application(s) and starts the patched software application(s).