Patent · US Active

Database language extended to accommodate entity-relationship models

US9442977B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by

97References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

SAP SE · DE

Inventors

Timm Falter · Sinsheim, DE
Daniel Hutzel · Karlsruhe, DE
Stefan Baeuerle · Walldorf, DE
Andreas Gruenhagen · Östringen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Sep 6, 2013
Grant date	Sep 13, 2016
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 12, 2034

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG06F16/288
WIPO fieldComputer technology
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments extend the relational model and language of standard SQL, to recognize features of higher level entity-relationship models (ERMs). SQL extensions implemented in the data design language (DDL) incorporate Entities (and Views) having custom-defined/semantic structure, rather than being limited to primitive types (e.g. flat tables as in standard SQL). Entities are defined similar to structured types with an underlying persistency, but with a uniquely identifying leading key. In DDL, these entities are combined with associations in the data model. The associations of the extended SQL reflect relationships between entities in the ERM. Associations are specified by adding an element to a source entity, with an association type pointing to a target entity. This may be complemented by providing optional information (e.g., cardinality, keys, filter conditions), up to a complete JOIN condition. In the query language (QL), JOINs may be replaced by the use of simple path expressions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.