Abstract: A distributed software system (10) includes at least one server component (22) that supports one or more server objects having associated data and at least one client component (24) that is distributed from the server component (22). The client component (24) accesses data associated with one or more of the server objects according to a scheme making it substantially transparent to the client component (24) whether the server component (22) is local to or remote from the client component (24).

Abstract: A multi-dimensional database includes data organized into hierarchical levels. For each level within a dimension, predefined thresholds are set to determine which intersections are precomputed and which are not. The general result is to precompute intersections which take relatively longer to compute at run time, and to not precompute intersections which can be calculated relatively quickly at run time. When multiple dimensions of data are provided, a step-by-step process uses the level threshold for each dimension to determine whether data is to be prestored at an intersection. An odd-even calculation insures that computations performed at run time are relatively efficient. The technique results in good run time response, while not requiring maximum storage or recalculation time for data updates. By adjusting the thresholds at the individual dimension level, response of the multi-dimensional database can be changed as desired.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional database includes hierarchical levels. The data is hierarchical, with aggregatable data measures, so that changes in a first intersection will cause changes in other intersections for the aggregated measure. Selected intersections can be locked, so that changes in aggregatable data are restricted. Constrained sets corresponding to the locked intersections limit the scope of changes which may be made, and ensure a high level of efficiency.

Abstract: A system for generating a value for a first attribute includes a database having one or more dimensions that each include one or more members. The database includes one or more storage locations that are each associated with one member from each dimension in a set of one or more of the dimensions. A server evaluates an expression including at least one second attribute that depends on a set of one or more of the dimensions, the expression mapping at least one member of a first dimension on which the first attribute depends to at least one member of a second dimension on which the second attribute depends. The value for the first attribute is generated according to the expression. The server and database may operate in an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) environment.

Abstract: A system (10) for generating dependent data (132) includes a database (16) having at least a first dimension (50, 70, 122). The database (16) contains a mapping (106) comprising a source member (54) in the first dimension (50, 70, 122) and a target member (54) in the first dimension (50, 70, 122). The database (16) also contains an attach rate (120) that relates independent data (112) associated with the source member (54) to dependent data (132) associated with the target member (54). A server (12) coupled to the database (16) accesses the mapping (106) and applies the attach rate (120) to the independent data (112) for the source member (54) to generate the dependent data (132) for the target member (54).