Sagent Technology, Inc.

Sagent Technologies, Inc.

Pitney Bowes Software Inc.

Group 1 Software, Inc.

Craig R Powers

Vladimir Gorelik

Robert E Powers

Tana C Netsch

Terris J Linenbach

Glenn A Shapland

Nicholas F Engelhardt

John E Zicker

A method and apparatus for creating a lineage for a data field is disclosed. The method may include creating a unique identifier for a data field. Also, a record of the origin of data is created when the data is inserted into the data field; however this is not required. The record of the origin of data is associated with the unique identifier for the data field. The lineage for a data field may be viewed. In so doing, the transformations to the data field may be shown.

Method and apparatus for creating a lineage of a data field in a data flow system

A method and apparatus for creating a lineage for a data field is disclosed. The method may include creating a unique identifier for a data field. Also, a record of the origin of data is created when the data is inserted into the data field; however this is not required. The record of the origin of data is associated with the unique identifier for the data field. The lineage for the data field may be viewed. In so doing, the transformations to the data field may be shown.

A method and apparatus for processing data using multi-tier caching are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a user request containing one or more data parameters and searching cache memories of multiple tiers until finding a parameterized result set associated with the data parameters. The multiple tiers correspond to stages in the transformation of data retrieved from one or more data sources according to the user request. Once the parameterized result set associated with the data parameters is found, it is used to create a final result set.

Method and apparatus for processing data using multi-tier caching

A deferred transaction mechanism facilitates multi-threaded operation of database application programs. The deferred transaction mechanism allows data items to be committed from the local memory of a computer system to a database system in a background thread, while other foreground threads continue to read the data item. In most instances, this makes the delay in committing a data item to the database imperceptible to a human user of a database application program. The deferred transaction mechanism further supports an &ldquo;undo&rdquo; feature, which allows modifications to a data item located in a computer's local memory to be rapidly discarded.

Database repository with deferred transactions

One embodiment of the invention includes data descriptions of data in a database. The data descriptions include baseviews and metaviews. The baseviews reference specific portions of the actual database schema while the metaviews provide descriptions of baseviews. Each baseview includes specific references to specific columns in tables stored in the database.

Data descriptions in a database system

One embodiment of the invention includes an architecture for extending the data requesting and data viewing capabilities of a database system. Data from the database is requested and viewed using a plan. The plan defines the steps to perform to request and view the data. The extensible architecture allows for the relatively easy addition of new steps for use in the database retrieval and viewing system. In one system, each step includes executable code for accessing, manipulating and/or outputting data. Each step conforms to a predefined interface that allows the step to be used in a plan, manipulate data received from another step (if necessary), and output data to another step (if necessary). By generating steps that conform to the predefined interface, developers can extend the functionality of the data retrieval and viewing application. In one embodiment, the interface defines the type of step, the number of inputs and outputs to the steps, the type of record accessing characteristics are best used by the step, and whether the step uses the original records or copies of the records. Importantly, the interface does not need to define the actual data manipulation performed by the step. Therefore, the step's internal operations are independent of the operations performed by the application. This separation allows developers to generate powerful steps without having to modify the application to support the new steps.

Extensible database retrieval and viewing architecture

A deferred transaction mechanism facilitates multi-threaded operation of database application programs. The deferred transaction mechanism allows data items to be committed from the local memory of a computer system to a database system in a background thread, while other foreground threads continue to read the data item. In most instances, this makes the delay in committing a data item to the database imperceptible to a human user of a database application program. The deferred transaction mechanism further supports an 'undo' feature, which allows modifications to a data item located in a computer's local memory to be rapidly discarded.

Growing community of inventors

San Carlos, CA, United States of America

Craig R Powers