Apparatus and method for null representation in database object storage
US6112210A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99944
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and process for storing representations of information objects having null values in a database are disclosed. A null object is established in memory associated with an information-bearing object. The null object has an attribute null value corresponding to each data-bearing attribute of the information-bearing object. Each attribute null value is set to a value indicating whether the corresponding attribute of the information-bearing object is null, not null, or not capable of having a null value. The null object also has an atomic null value that indicates whether the entire information-bearing object is null. When the information-bearing object is to be accessed, the null object is first accessed to determine whether the entire information-bearing object or any attributes thereof are null. Accordingly, unnecessary retrieval and manipulation of the information-bearing object is avoided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.