Patent ID: 7979475
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising the steps of storing a plurality of sets of metadata in a computer memory using a computer program running on a computer processor; and storing a plurality of constituent data items in the computer memory using a computer program running on a computer processor, wherein each constituent data item of the plurality of constituent data items is comprised of one or more data items; wherein each data item of the one or more data items of each of the plurality of constituent data items is a named data field which identifies a column in a database table in the computer memory; wherein each of the plurality of sets of metadata corresponds to one of the plurality of constituent data items, such that there is one set of metadata for each of the plurality of constituent data items; wherein each set of metadata includes examining each of the plurality of sets of metadata to determine if its corresponding one of the plurality of constituent data items is an independent constituent data item by use of a computer program running on the computer processor; examining each business key data item of each of the plurality of sets of metadata to determine if each business key data item of each independent constituent data item is independent, wherein each business key data item of each independent constituent data item is independent if it is not dependent upon a business key data item in another constituent data item of the plurality of constituent data items; wherein each constituent data item of the plurality of constituent data items is an independent constituent data item if: (a) its corresponding set of metadata includes an indication that the corresponding constituent data item can only be assigned to one and only one interrogative, (b) it is assigned in the computer memory to one and only one interrogative and (c) it is not dependent upon any other constituent data item of the plurality of constituent data items for its definition; and further comprising combining a first independent constituent data item of the plurality of constituent data items with a second independent constituent data item of the plurality of constituent data items, wherein the first and second independent constituent data items have the same one or more independent business key data items.