Patent ID: 6594672
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of generating multidimensional output from a source relational database, the method comprising:defining an application related to one or more dimensions of data stored in the source relational database; the application having at least one associated problem which can be solved using one or more dimensions of the data which are stored in the source relational database, wherein for each of the one or more dimensions of data related to the source database at least one hierarchical relationship is defined; defining a Meta-model for the application, the Meta-model being defined for the one or more dimensions of data stored in the source relational database and indicating relationships between tables in the source relational database; generating a Meta-outline from the Meta-model, wherein the generating of the Meta-outline includes selecting at least one of the one or more dimensions of data relating to the Meta-model and forming a conceptual abstraction identifying rules operating on data relating to said at least one selected dimension of data but not including said data; and wherein the Meta-outline can be used to generate multidimensional output from the source relational database, the multidimensional output providing a solution to the at least one problem relating to the one or more dimensions of data stored in the source database.