Abstract: Users and programmers can load semi-structured hierarchical data, such as XML data, of arbitrary size and structure into relational database tables using an schema such as an SQL-annotated XML schema. The schema describes how XML data maps into base tables and fields, including complex one-to-many and many-to-many relationships. The hierarchical data is streamed into the relational database tables in a single operation.

Abstract: An extensible markup language (XML) versioning system allows versioning an XML based application software so that customizations made to an early version of the application software can be easily incorporated into the later version of the application software. The XML versioning system identifies XML semantic blocks in a customized early version of an application software to determine areas including customization metadata, defines the differences between the customized early version of an application software and a later revision of the application software in the determined areas, and provides a procedure to integrate the customization metadata into the later version of the application software.

Abstract: A method of describing in a computer an entity is disclosed. The method may have the steps of storing data related to the entity, allowing a relationship to be assigned to the entity, assigning attributes to the relationship, assigning a perspective to the relationship wherein the perspective filters the attributes of the relationship, allowing a user to select the desired perspective of the relationship and allowing a user to view the data related to the entity based on the perspective selected.

Abstract: A data mapping architecture for mapping between two or more data sources without modifying the metadata or structure of the data sources themselves. Data mapping also supports updates. The architecture also supports at least the case where data sources that are being mapped, are given, their schemas predefined, and cannot be changed. The architecture includes a mapping component that receives respective metadata from at least two arbitrary data models, and maps expressions between the data models.

Abstract: Users and programmers can load semi-structured hierarchical data, such as XML data, of arbitrary size and structure into relational database tables using an schema such as an SQL-annotated XML schema. The schema describes how XML data maps into base tables and fields, including complex one-to-many and many-to-many relationships. The hierarchical data is streamed into the relational database tables in a single operation.