Patent ID: 6442543
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method in a computing system for processing a temporal row modification command against a set of rows each having an effective time interval, the method comprising:receiving a row modification command, the command specifying a modification time interval and a modification instruction; for each original row whose effective time interval intersects the modification time interval but is not a subset of the modification time interval, replacing the original row with a plurality of replacement rows, the plurality of replacement rows including a distinguished replacement row, the distinguished replacement row having an effective time interval that is coextensive with the intersection between the effective time interval of the original row and the modification time interval, the effective time intervals of the replacement rows collectively comprising the effective time interval of the original row, the replacement rows each having contents copied from the original row; and after the replacing, for each row whose effective time interval is a subset of the modification time interval, applying the modification instruction to the row, wherein, for distinguished replacement rows, the modification instruction is applied to the contents of the replacement rows copied from their original rows.