Patent ID: 6353452
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A computer assisted method of forming a database query statement, the query statement including a joining of a source data table having a plurality of source data fields represented by corresponding source data field names with a target data table having a plurality of target data fields represented by corresponding target data field names, comprising the steps of:displaying a source list box containing a list of at least some of said source data field names and a target list box containing a list of at least some of said target data field names; pointing by an operator to a source data field name displayed in the source list box to select the corresponding source data field of the source data table for possible joining; automatically determining which of the target data fields having corresponding target data field names displayed in the target list box cannot be joined with the selected source data field of the source data table; automatically indicating the target data field names of target data fields which cannot be properly joined with the selected source data field by distinctly displaying said indicated target data field names differently in the target list box than the target data field names of target data fields which can be joined with the selected source data field, whereby the operator may select from among the target data field names in the target list box that are not distinctively displayed to select a proper target data field for joining with the selected source data field in forming a query statement.