Patent ID: 7483979
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for providing access at a second computer system to metadata properties comprising metadata of a first computer system, wherein the second computer system issues searches for metadata and commands to retrieve metadata properties that may be captured externally, the method comprising: capturing a search for metadata issued from the second computer system; returning a list of metadata of the first computer system as a result for the captured search, wherein the list of metadata identifies metadata of the first computer system that matches a search pattern, wherein the metadata describes database-based data; capturing a command to retrieve metadata properties issued from the second computer system; if the metadata identified in the captured command is part of the list of metadata, retrieving metadata properties, converting the metadata properties to a format native to the second system, and returning the converted metadata properties to the second system, wherein retrieving metadata properties includes extracting instructions associated with the command to retrieve metadata properties; providing the extracted instructions to the first computer system; and instructing the first computer system to retrieve metadata properties according to the extracted instructions; conducting a native metadata search on the second computer system to retrieve native metadata search results; determining if the native metadata search results are to be suppressed; and if the native metadata is to be suppressed presenting the converted metadata properties from the first computer system else presenting both the converted metadata properties and the native metadata.