Database system with improved methods for updating records
US5842196A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99943
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Database system and methods are described for updating records, such as are commonly used in a relational database environment. Updates are carried out in a manner which allows a substantial portion of the work to be performed in direct mode (when possible), thereby avoiding the inefficiency of re-reading records. In this fashion, a scenario which requires deferred updating can, in accordance with the present invention, be treated mostly as a direct update, with minimal deferred updating. Given a query involving an "unsafe" unique index (i.e., query includes update to key field), for instance, the present invention provides a method whereby each data row is updated in direct mode. In conjunction with this, the corresponding index row is deleted in direct mode. The system will not insert an index row at this point, however. Instead, updating of the index is deferred. The index is inserted later during the deferred or default mode. By updating data rows in direct mode (when possible), system performance is enhanced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.