Interactive database query system and method for prohibiting the selection of semantically incorrect query parameters
US5584024A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99934
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A database query system includes a query assistant that permits the user to enter only queries that are both syntactically and semantically valid (and that can be processed by an SQL generator to produce semantically valid SQL). Through the use of dialog boxes, a user enters a query in an intermediate English-like language which is easily understood by the user. A query expert system monitors the query as it is being built, and using information about the structure of the database, it prevents the user from building semantically incorrect queries by disallowing choices in the dialog boxes which would create incorrect queries. An SQL generator is also provided which uses a set of transformations and pattern substitutions to convert the intermediate language into a syntactically and semantically correct SQL query. The intermediate language can represent complex SQL queries while at the same time being easy to understand. The intermediate language is also designed to be easily converted into SQL queries. In addition to the query assistant and the SQL generator, an administrative facility is provided which allows an administrator to add a conceptual layer to the underlying database mak…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.