Attribute portion based document retrieval system with system query

Abstract

A system for retrieval of documents in a client-server environment is disclosed. The system provides compatibility between an attribute based document display system and diverse query languages within remote document repositories. The system includes a local process running on a client module, and a remote process running within each document repository. Each remote process is designed for the particular model of computer used for the server. Each remote process executes a System Query Language (SQL) used by a particular database program running on the server. A particular server may have several database programs implemented thereon, and each database program has a dedicated remote process, where the remote process is matched to the particular database program. The local process on the user's workstation launches inquiries in a first format on the network. Each remote process receiving an inquiry translates the received inquiry into the System Query Language required by its server and its database program. When the database program returns a response to the System Query language inquiry, the remote process translates the response into the first format, and returns the response to the local process by transmitting a reply over the network.