Patent ID: 7107282
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for managing expressions in a database, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: receiving a first pathname expression that identifies a particular element within a hierarchical structure and that includes a first conditional expression relating to a particular attribute of the particular element; generating, based on the first pathname expression, position filter data that represents a level, corresponding to the particular element, within the hierarchical structure; storing the position filter data in one or more first columns of a database table, for use in determining whether a data item satisfies the first conditional expression in the pathname expression; generating, based on the first pathname expression, value filter data that represents the first conditional expression relating to the particular attribute of the particular element; and storing the value filter data in one or more second columns of a database table, for use in determining whether a data item satisfies the first conditional expression in the pathname expression.