Abstract:
The present invention generally provides methods, systems and articles of manufacture for programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface comprises (i) a region for displaying conditions of a user-defined query; and (ii) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to a first condition of the query, whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the first condition and a second condition defined by the event profile are contemporaneously true.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to data processing and more particularly to user interfaces for accessing data.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Databases are computerized information storage and retrieval systems. The most prevalent type of database is the relational database, a tabular database in which data is defined so that it can be reorganized and accessed in a number of different ways.  
           [0005]    Regardless of the particular architecture, a requesting entity (e.g., an application or the operating system) demands access to a specified database by issuing a database access request, or query. Such queries may include, for instance, simple catalog lookup requests or transactions and combinations of transactions that operate to read, change and add specified records in the database. The term “query” denominates a set of commands for retrieving data from a stored database. Queries take the form of a command language that lets programmers and programs select, insert, update, find out the location of data, and so forth. One well-known high-level query language is the Structured Query Language (SQL). Illustratively, SQL is used to make interactive queries for getting information from and updating a database such as International Business Machines&#39; (IBM) DB2, Microsoft&#39;s SQL Server, and database products from Oracle, Sybase, and Computer Associates.  
           [0006]    One problem with accessing a database using a query language is that the interface for specifying a search query is commonly a text interface for which users require a degree of proficiency with the query language. Users often create syntactically incorrect queries, or if correct, queries which return undesired (i.e., incorrect or useless) results.  
           [0007]    In order to facilitate query searches, some systems provide graphical user interfaces (GUIs). A GUI eliminates the need to understand the details of the underlying datastore and simplifies the process of creating a search expression, thereby reducing the necessary training. A typical GUI may allow a user to define a search query over a series of screens. Search criteria may be independently selected to allow for dynamic building of queries. For example, one GUI may allow a user to find customers according to various independently selectable demographics. Such demographics may include, for example, a state and an age range, each of which are presented in the GUI with an associated check box. Accordingly, by checking the appropriate check boxes and specifying desired values for each of the selected demographics, a customer may build a query based on a state, and age range, or both. One such GUI  100  comprising a State search criterion  102  and an Age Range search criterion  104  is shown in FIG. 1. Illustratively, the query constructed in the GUI  100  will find customers who live in the state of Minnesota and are between the ages of 30 and 40.  
           [0008]    One limitation with existing GUIs for building queries is the inability to build event-based queries. Event-based queries are queries or searches that associate a search criterion/criteria (a portion of the overall search) with an event defined by another search criterion/criteria. An example of an event-based query would be a query to find customers who live/lived in the state of Minnesota and at the time they lived in the state of Minnesota were between the ages of 30 and 40. In this case, the “event” is living in the specified state (in this case Minnesota). Simply changing the definition of the Age Range search criterion  104  to mean age at the time the person lived in the specified state is not desirable since it limits the ability of a user to generate a query for finding people currently living in Minnesota and between the age of 30 and 40. Both queries may be valuable for different reasons and, accordingly, a user must be given the flexibility to specify either query.  
           [0009]    Therefore, there is a need for a graphical user interface through which event-based queries can be defined.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention generally is directed to a method, system and article of manufacture for a graphical user interface through which event-based queries can be defined.  
           [0011]    One embodiment provides a method of programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries, the method comprising providing graphical user interface content which defines a graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface comprises (i) a region for displaying conditions of a user-defined query; and (ii) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to a first condition of the query, whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the first condition and a second condition defined by the event profile are contemporaneously true.  
           [0012]    In another embodiment, a method is provided for programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries, comprising generating graphical user interface (GUI) content which, when processed by a GUI-based program, defines a first graphical user interface screen comprising a first graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to a first condition of a user-defined query, whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the first condition and a second condition defined by the event profile are contemporaneously true. In response to a user event activating the first graphical element, graphical user interface (GUI) content is generated which, when processed by the GUI-based program, defines a second graphical user interface screen displaying predefined event profiles available for user selection. In response to a user selection of the event profile from the second graphical user interface screen, graphical user interface (GUI) content is generated which, when processed by the GUI-based program, defines a third graphical user interface screen displaying the query including at least the first condition and the second condition.  
           [0013]    Still another embodiment provides a computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs the aforementioned methods.  
           [0014]    Yet another embodiment provides a computer, comprising a memory containing at least an application; and a processor communicably connected to the memory and which, when executing the application, performs an operation of generating a user interface for creating queries. The operation comprises generating graphical user interface content which defines a graphical user interface, comprising: (i) a region for displaying conditions of a user-defined query; and (ii) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to a first condition of the query, whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the first condition and a second condition defined by the event profile are contemporaneously true. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.  
         [0016]    It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a prior art graphical user interface.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a computer system illustratively utilized in accordance with the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a relational view of software components of one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a runtime component;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a runtime component;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a graphical user interface screen for initiating the process of adding a condition to a query;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a graphical user interface screen for adding a birth date as a condition to a query;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a graphical user interface screen displaying existing conditions to a query and from which a user may add additional conditions to the query and execute the query;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 4 after being updated with additional conditions;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a graphical user interface screen from which a user may group conditions to form a complex condition;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 4 after having been updated to reflect grouped conditions;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a graphical user interface screen from which a user may ungroup conditions of a complex condition;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a graphical user interface screen from which a user may select a particular endocrine test;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a graphical user interface screen from which a user may specify a desired values for a human growth hormone test;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a graphical user interface screen from which a user may add a condition to an event profile;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a graphical user interface screen which displays the collective conditions defining an event profile and provides selectable graphical elements to add event profile conditions, group event profile conditions and ungroup event profile conditions;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a graphical user interface in which a user may save an event profile;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 18 is a graphical user interface from which a user may select and apply an event profile; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 19 is a graphical user interface screen which displays the collective conditions defining an event profile and provides selectable graphical elements to add conditions, group conditions, ungroup conditions and execute the query. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    The present invention generally is directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for a graphical user interface through which event-based queries can be defined.  
         [0037]    One embodiment of the invention is implemented as a program product for use with a computer system such as, for example, the computer system  100  shown in FIG. 1 and described below. The program(s) of the program product defines functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein) and can be contained on a variety of signal-bearing media. Illustrative signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to: (i) information permanently stored on non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive); (ii) alterable information stored on writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive); or (iii) information conveyed to a computer by a communications medium, such as through a computer or telephone network, including wireless communications. The latter embodiment specifically includes information downloaded from the Internet and other networks. Such signal-bearing media, when carrying computer-readable instructions that direct the functions of the present invention, represent embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0038]    In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the invention, may be part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, module, object, or sequence of instructions. The software of the present invention typically is comprised of a multitude of instructions that will be translated by the native computer into a machine-readable format and hence executable instructions. Also, programs are comprised of variables and data structures that either reside locally to the program or are found in memory or on storage devices. In addition, various programs described hereinafter may be identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular nomenclature that follows is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.  
         [0039]    Physical View of Environment  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a networked system  200  in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. In general, the networked system  200  includes a client (e.g., user&#39;s) computer  202  (three such client computers  102  are shown) and at least one server  204  (one such server  204 ). The client computer  202  and the server computer  204  are connected via a network  226 . In general, the network  226  may be a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN). In a particular embodiment, the network  226  is the Internet.  
         [0041]    The client computer  202  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  210  connected via a bus  230  to a memory  212 , storage  214 , an input device  216 , an output device  219 , and a network interface device  218 . The input device  216  can be any device to give input to the client computer  202 . For example, a keyboard, keypad, light-pen, touch-screen, track-ball, or speech recognition unit, audio/video player, and the like could be used. The output device  219  can be any device to give output to the user, e.g., any conventional display screen. Although shown separately from the input device  216 , the output device  219  and input device  216  could be combined. For example, a display screen with an integrated touch-screen, a display with an integrated keyboard, or a speech recognition unit combined with a text speech converter could be used.  
         [0042]    The network interface device  218  may be any entry/exit device configured to allow network communications between the client computer  202  and the server computer  204  via the network  226 . For example, the network interface device  218  may be a network adapter or other network interface card (NIC).  
         [0043]    Storage  214  is preferably a Direct Access Storage Device (DASD). Although it is shown as a single unit, it could be a combination of fixed and/or removable storage devices, such as fixed disc drives, floppy disc drives, tape drives, removable memory cards, or optical storage. The memory  212  and storage  214  could be part of one virtual address space spanning multiple primary and secondary storage devices.  
         [0044]    The memory  212  is preferably a random access memory sufficiently large to hold the necessary programming and data structures of the invention. While the memory  212  is shown as a single entity, it should be understood that the memory  212  may in fact comprise a plurality of modules, and that the memory  212  may exist at multiple levels, from high speed registers and caches to lower speed but larger DRAM chips.  
         [0045]    Illustratively, the memory  212  contains an operating system  224 . Illustrative operating systems, which may be used to advantage, include Linux and Microsoft&#39;s Windows®. More generally, any operating system supporting the functions disclosed herein may be used.  
         [0046]    The memory  212  is also shown containing a browser program  222  that, when executed on CPU  210 , provides support for navigating between the various servers  204  and locating network addresses at one or more of the servers  204 . In one embodiment, the browser program  222  includes a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI), which allows the user to display Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) information. More generally, however, the browser program  222  may be any GUI-based program capable of rendering the information transmitted from the server computer  204 .  
         [0047]    The server computer  204  may by physically arranged in a manner similar to the client computer  202 . Accordingly, the server computer  204  is shown generally comprising a CPU  230 , a memory  232 , and a storage device  234 , coupled to one another by a bus  236 . Memory  232  may be a random access memory sufficiently large to hold the necessary programming and data structures that are located on the server computer  204 .  
         [0048]    The server computer  204  is generally under the control of an operating system  238  shown residing in memory  232 . Examples of the operating system  238  include IBM OS/400®, UNIX, Microsoft Windows®, and the like. More generally, any operating system capable of supporting the functions described herein may be used.  
         [0049]    The memory  232  further includes one or more applications  240  and an abstract query interface  246 . The applications  240  and the abstract query interface  246  are software products comprising a plurality of instructions that are resident at various times in various memory and storage devices in the computer system  200 . When read and executed by one or more processors  230  in the server  204 , the applications  240  and the abstract query interface  246  cause the computer system  200  to perform the steps necessary to execute steps or elements embodying the various aspects of the invention. The applications  240  (and more generally, any requesting entity, including the operating system  238 ) are configured to issue queries against a database  254  (shown in storage  234 ). The database  254  is representative of any collection of data regardless of the particular physical representation. By way of illustration, the database  254  may be organized according to a relational schema (accessible by SQL queries) or according to an XML schema (accessible by XML queries). However, the invention is not limited to a particular schema and contemplates extension to schemas presently unknown. As used herein, the term “schema” generically refers to a particular arrangement of data.  
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the queries issued by the applications  240  are defined according to an application query specification  242  included with each application  240 . The queries issued by the applications  240  may be predefined (i.e., hard coded as part of the applications  240 ) or may be generated in response to input (e.g., user input). In either case, the queries (referred to herein as “abstract queries”) are composed using logical fields defined by the abstract query interface  246 . In particular, the logical fields used in the abstract queries are defined by a data repository abstraction component  248  of the abstract query interface  246 . The abstract queries are executed by a runtime component  250  which transforms the abstract queries into a form consistent with the physical representation of the data contained in the database  254 . The application query specification  242  and the abstract query interface  246  are further described with reference to FIG. 3.  
         [0051]    In one embodiment, elements of a query are specified by a user through a graphical user interface (GUI). The content of the GUIs is generated by the application(s)  240 . In a particular embodiment, the GUI content is hypertext markup language (HTML) content which may be rendered on the client computer systems  202  with the browser program  222 . Accordingly, the memory  232  includes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http) server process  238  (e.g., a web server) adapted to service requests from the client computer  202 . For example, the process  238  may respond to requests to access a data repository  254 , which illustratively resides on the server  204 . Incoming client requests for data from the data repository  254  invoke an application  240 . When executed by the processor  230 , the application  240  causes the server computer  204  to perform the steps or elements embodying the various aspects of the invention, including accessing the data repository  254 . In one embodiment, the application  240  comprises a plurality of servlets configured to build GUI elements, which are then rendered by the browser program  222 . In at least one of the screens of the GUI built by the application  240 , the user is given the opportunity to group and ungroup search expressions and/or bind one or more event profiles  244  to a portion of a search expression. Details regarding the event profiles  244  and the inventive GUIs generally will be described below.  
         [0052]    For purposes of illustration, aspects of the inventive GUIs have been and will be described with reference to the abstract query interface  246  and the application query specification  242 . However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the GUIs are not so limited and other embodiments do not include the abstract query interface  246  and the application query specification  242 . Rather, the queries may be handled in a more conventional manner, with the advantages of the GUIs described herein.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 2 is merely one hardware/software configuration for the networked client computer  202  and server computer  204 . Embodiments of the present invention can apply to any comparable hardware configuration, regardless of whether the computer systems are complicated, multi-user computing apparatus, single-user workstations, or network appliances that do not have non-volatile storage of their own. Further, it is understood that while reference is made to particular markup languages, including HTML, the invention is not limited to a particular language, standard or version. Accordingly, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is adaptable to other markup languages as well as non-markup languages and that the invention is also adaptable future changes in a particular markup language as well as to other languages presently unknown. Likewise, the http server process  238  shown in FIG. 2 is merely illustrative and other embodiments adapted to support any known and unknown protocols are contemplated.  
         [0054]    Relational View of Environment  
         [0055]    FIGS.  3 A-B (collectively FIG. 3) show an illustrative relational view  300  of components of the invention. The requesting entity (e.g., one of the applications  240 ) issues a query  302  as defined by the respective application query specification  242  of the requesting entity. The resulting query  302  is generally referred to herein as an “abstract query” because the query is composed according to abstract (i.e., logical) fields rather than by direct reference to the underlying physical data entities in the database  254 . As a result, abstract queries may be defined that are independent of the particular underlying data representation used. In one embodiment, the application query specification  242  may include both criteria used for data selection (selection criteria  304 ) and an explicit specification of the fields to be returned (return data specification  306 ) based on the selection criteria  304 .  
         [0056]    The logical fields specified by the application query specification  242  and used to compose the abstract query  302  are defined by the data repository abstraction component  248 . In general, the data repository abstraction component  248  exposes information as a set of logical fields that may be used within a query (e.g., the abstract query  302 ) issued by the application  240  to specify criteria for data selection and specify the form of result data returned from a query operation. The logical fields are defined independently of the underlying data representation being used in the database  254 , thereby allowing queries to be formed that are loosely coupled to the underlying data representation.  
         [0057]    In general, the data repository abstraction component  248  comprises a plurality of field specifications  308   1 ,  308   2 ,  308   3 ,  308   4  and  308   5  (five shown by way of example), collectively referred to as the field specifications  308 . Specifically, a field specification is provided for each logical field available for composition of an abstract query. Each field specification comprises a logical field name  310   1 ,  310   2 ,  310   3 ,  310   4 ,  310   5  (collectively, field name  310 ) and an associated access method  312   1 ,  312   2 ,  312   3 ,  312   4 ,  312   5  (collectively, access method  312 ). The access methods associate (i.e., map) the logical field names to a particular physical data representation  314   1 ,  314   2  . . .  314   N  in a database (e.g., database  254 ). By way of illustration, two data representations are shown, an XML data representation  314   1  and a relational data representation  314   2 . However, the physical data representation  314   N  indicates that any other data representation, known or unknown, is contemplated. In one embodiment, a single data repository abstraction component  248  contains field specifications (with associated access methods) for two or more physical data representations  314 . In an alternative embodiment, a different single data repository abstraction component  248  is provided for each separate physical data representation  314 .  
         [0058]    Any number of access methods are contemplated depending upon the number of different types of logical fields to be supported. In one embodiment, access methods for simple fields, filtered fields and composed fields are provided. The field specifications  308   1 ,  308   2  and  308   5  exemplify simple field access methods  312   1 ,  2242 , and  312   5 , respectively. Simple fields are mapped directly to a particular entity in the underlying physical data representation (e.g., a field mapped to a given database table and column). By way of illustration, the simple field access method  312   1 , shown in FIG. 3B maps the logical field name  310   1  (“FirstName”) to a column named “f_name” in a table named “contact”. The field specification  308   3  exemplifies a filtered field access method  312   3 . Filtered fields identify an associated physical entity and provide rules used to define a particular subset of items within the physical data representation. An example is provided in FIG. 3B in which the filtered field access method  312   3  maps the logical field name  310   3  (“AnytownLastName”) to a physical entity in a column named “I_name” in a table named “contact” and defines a filter for individuals in the city of Anytown. Another example of a filtered field is a New York ZIP code field that maps to the physical representation of ZIP codes and restricts the data only to those ZIP codes defined for the state of New York. The field specification  308   4  exemplifies a composed field access method  312   4 . Composed access methods compute a logical field from one or more physical fields using an expression supplied as part of the access method definition. In this way, information which does not exist in the underlying data representation may computed. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3B the composed field access method  312   3  maps the logical field name  310   3  “AgeInDecades” to “AgeInYears/10”. Another example is a sales tax field that is composed by multiplying a sales price field by a sales tax rate.  
         [0059]    It is contemplated that the formats for any given data type (e.g., dates, decimal numbers, etc.) of the underlying data may vary. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the field specifications  308  include a type attribute which reflects the format of the underlying data. However, in another embodiment, the data format of the field specifications  308  is different from the associated underlying physical data, in which case an access method is responsible for returning data in the proper format assumed by the requesting entity. Thus, the access method must know what format of data is assumed (i.e., according to the logical field) as well as the actual format of the underlying physical data. The access method can then convert the underlying physical data into the format of the logical field.  
         [0060]    By way of example, the field specifications  308  of the data repository abstraction component  248  shown in FIG. 3 are representative of logical fields mapped to data represented in the relational data representation  314   2 . However, other instances of the data repository extraction component  248  map logical fields to other physical data representations, such as XML.  
         [0061]    An illustrative abstract query corresponding to the abstract query  302  shown in FIG. 3 is shown in Table I below. By way of illustration, the Data Repository Abstraction  248  is defined using XML. However, any other language may be used to advantage.  
                         TABLE I                       QUERY EXAMPLE                                001   &lt;?xml version=“1.0”?&gt;       002   &lt;!--Query string representation: (FirstName = “Mary” AND LastName =       003   “McGoon”) OR State = “NC”--&gt;       004   &lt;QueryAbstraction&gt;       005    &lt;Selection&gt;       006     &lt;Condition internalID=“4”&gt;       007      &lt;Condition field=“FirstName” operator=“EQ” value=“Mary”       008   internalID=“1”/&gt;       009      &lt;Condition field=“LastName” operator=“EQ” value=“MoGoon”       010   internalID=“3” relOperator=“AND”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;       011     &lt;/Condition&gt;       012     &lt;Condition field=“State” operator=“EQ” value=“NC” internalID=“2”       013   relOperator=“OR”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;       014    &lt;/Selection&gt;       015   &lt;Results&gt;       016       &lt;Field name=“FirstName”/&gt;       017       &lt;Field name=“LastName”/&gt;       018       &lt;Field name=“State”/&gt;       019    &lt;/Results&gt;       020   &lt;/QueryAbstraction&gt;                  
 
         [0062]    Illustratively, the abstract query shown in Table I includes a selection specification (lines 005-014) containing selection criteria and a results specification (lines 015-019). In one embodiment, a selection criterion consists of a field name (for a logical field), a comparison operator (=, &gt;, &lt;, etc) and a value expression (what is the field being compared to). In one embodiment, result specification is a list of abstract fields that are to be returned as a result of query execution. A result specification in the abstract query may consist of a field name and sort criteria.  
         [0063]    An illustrative abstract query corresponding to the Data Repository Abstraction  248  shown in FIG. 3 is shown in Table II below. By way of illustration, the Repository Abstraction  248  is defined using XML. However, any other language may be used to advantage.  
                                                                                                                                                                                         TABLE II                       DATA REPOSITORY ABSTRACTION EXAMPLE                                001   &lt;?xml version=“1.0”?&gt;       002   &lt;DataRepository&gt;            003   &lt;Category name=“Demographic”&gt;            004   &lt;Field queryable=“Yes” name=“FirstName” displayable=“Yes”&gt;            005   &lt;AccessMethod&gt;            006   &lt;Simple columnName=“f_name” tableName=“contact”&gt;&lt;/Simple&gt;            007   &lt;/AccessMethod&gt;       008   &lt;Type baseType=“char”&gt;&lt;/Type&gt;            009   &lt;/Field&gt;       010   &lt;Field queryable=“Yes” name=“LastName” displayable=“Yes”&gt;            011   &lt;AccessMethod&gt;            012   &lt;Simple columnName=“I_name” tableName=“contact”&gt;&lt;/Simple&gt;            013   &lt;/AccessMethod&gt;       014   &lt;Type baseType=“char”&gt;&lt;/Type&gt;            015   &lt;/Field&gt;       016   &lt;Field queryable=“Yes” name=“State” displayable=“Yes”&gt;            017   &lt;AccessMethod&gt;            018   &lt;Simple columnName=“state” tableName=“contact”&gt;&lt;/Simple&gt;            019   &lt;/AccessMethod&gt;       020   &lt;Type baseType=“char”&gt;&lt;/Type&gt;            021   &lt;/Field&gt;            022   &lt;/Category&gt;            023   &lt;/DataRepository&gt;                  
 
         [0064]    Runtime  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 4 shows an illustrative runtime method  400  exemplifying one embodiment of the operation of the runtime component  250 . The method  400  is entered at step  402  when the runtime component  250  receives as input an instance of an abstract query (such as the abstract query  302  shown in FIG. 3). At step  404 , the runtime component  250  reads and parses the instance of the abstract query and locates individual selection criteria and desired result fields. At step  406 , the runtime component  250  enters a loop (comprising steps  406 ,  408 ,  410  and  412 ) for processing each query selection criteria statement present in the abstract query, thereby building a data selection portion of a Concrete Query. In one embodiment, a selection criterion consists of a field name (for a logical field), a comparison operator (=, &gt;, &lt;, etc) and a value expression (what is the field being compared to). At step  408 , the runtime component  250  uses the field name from a selection criterion of the abstract query to look up the definition of the field in the data repository abstraction  248 . As noted above, the field definition includes a definition of the access method used to access the physical data associated with the field. The runtime component  250  then builds (step  410 ) a Concrete Query Contribution for the logical field being processed. As defined herein, a Concrete Query Contribution is a portion of a concrete query that is used to perform data selection based on the current logical field. A concrete query is a query represented in languages like SQL and XML Query and is consistent with the data of a given physical data repository (e.g., a relational database or XML repository). Accordingly, the concrete query is used to locate and retrieve data from the physical data repository, represented by the database  254  shown in FIG. 1. The Concrete Query Contribution generated for the current field is then added to a Concrete Query Statement. The method  400  then returns to step  406  to begin processing for the next field of the abstract query. Accordingly, the process entered at step  406  is iterated for each data selection field in the abstract query, thereby contributing additional content to the eventual query to be performed.  
         [0066]    After building the data selection portion of the concrete query, the runtime component  250  identifies the information to be returned as a result of query execution. As described above, in one embodiment, the abstract query defines a list of abstract fields that are to be returned as a result of query execution, referred to herein as a result specification. A result specification in the abstract query may consist of a field name and sort criteria. Accordingly, the method  400  enters a loop at step  414  (defined by steps  414 ,  416 ,  418  and  420 ) to add result field definitions to the concrete query being generated. At step  416 , the runtime component  250  looks up a result field name (from the result specification of the abstract query) in the data repository abstraction  248  and then retrieves a Result Field Definition from the data repository abstraction  248  to identify the physical location of data to be returned for the current logical result field. The runtime component  250  then builds (as step  418 ) a Concrete Query Contribution (of the concrete query that identifies physical location of data to be returned) for the logical result field. At step  420 , Concrete Query Contribution is then added to the Concrete Query Statement. Once each of the result specifications in the abstract query has been processed, the query is executed at step  422 .  
         [0067]    One embodiment of a method  500  for building a Concrete Query Contribution for a logical field according to steps  410  and  418  is described with reference to FIG. 5. At step  502 , the method  500  queries whether the access method associated with the current logical field is a simple access method. If so, the Concrete Query Contribution is built (step  504 ) based on physical data location information and processing then continues according to method  400  described above. Otherwise, processing continues to step  506  to query whether the access method associated with the current logical field is a filtered access method. If so, the Concrete Query Contribution is built (step  508 ) based on physical data location information for some physical data entity. At step  510 , the Concrete Query Contribution is extended with additional logic (filter selection) used to subset data associated with the physical data entity. Processing then continues according to method  400  described above.  
         [0068]    If the access method is not a filtered access method, processing proceeds from step  506  to step  512  where the method  500  queries whether the access method is a composed access method. If the access method is a composed access method, the physical data location for each sub-field reference in the composed field expression is located and retrieved at step  514 . At step  516 , the physical field location information of the composed field expression is substituted for the logical field references of the composed field expression, whereby the Concrete Query Contribution is generated. Processing then continues according to method  400  described above.  
         [0069]    If the access method is not a composed access method, processing proceeds from step  512  to step  518 . Step  518  is representative of any other access methods types contemplated as embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood that embodiments are contemplated in which less then all the available access methods are implemented. For example, in a particular embodiment only simple access methods are used. In another embodiment, only simple access methods and filtered access methods are used.  
         [0070]    As described above, it may be necessary to perform a data conversion if a logical field specifies a data format different from the underlying physical data. In one embodiment, an initial conversion is performed for each respective access method when building a Concrete Query Contribution for a logical field according to the method  500 . For example, the conversion may be performed as part of, or immediately following, the steps  504 ,  508  and  516 . A subsequent conversion from the format of the physical data to the format of the logical field is performed after the query is executed at step  422 . Of course, if the format of the logical field definition is the same as the underlying physical data, no conversion is necessary.  
         [0071]    The forgoing aspects provide numerous advantages. In one aspect, advantages are achieved by defining a loose coupling between the application query specification and the underlying data representation. Rather than encoding an application with specific table, column and relationship information, as is the case where SQL is used, the application defines data query requirements in a more abstract fashion that are then bound to a particular physical data representation at runtime. The loose query-data coupling of the present invention enables requesting entities (e.g., applications) to function even if the underlying data representation is modified or if the requesting entity is to be used with a completely new physical data representation than that used when the requesting entity was developed. In the case with a given physical data representation is modified or restructured, the corresponding data repository abstraction is updated to reflect changes made to the underlying physical data model. The same set of logical fields are available for use by queries, and have merely been bound to different entities or locations in physical data model. As a result, requesting entities written to the abstract query interface continue to function unchanged, even though the corresponding physical data model has undergone significant change. In the event a requesting entity is to be used with a completely new physical data representation than that used when the requesting entity was developed, the new physical data model may be implemented using the same technology (e.g., relational database) but following a different strategy for naming and organizing information (e.g., a different schema). The new schema will contain information that may be mapped to the set of logical fields required by the application using simple, filtered and composed field access method techniques. Alternatively, the new physical representation may use an alternate technology for representing similar information (e.g., use of an XML based data repository versus a relational database system). In either case, existing requesting entities written to use the abstract query interface can easily migrate to use the new physical data representation with the provision of an alternate data repository abstraction which maps fields referenced in the query with the location and physical representation in the new physical data model.  
         [0072]    In another aspect, the ease-of-use for the application builder and the end-user is facilitated. Use of an abstraction layer to represent logical fields in an underlying data repository enables an application developer to focus on key application data requirements without concern for the details of the underlying data representation. As a result, higher productivity and reduced error rates are achieved during application development. With regard to the end user, the data repository abstraction provides a data filtering mechanism, exposing pertinent data and hiding nonessential content that is not needed by a particular class end-user developing the given query.  
         [0073]    Graphical User Interfaces  
         [0074]    As noted above, one embodiment provides the user with a GUI through which queries may be composed and executed. The GUI screens (built with GUI content from the application  240 ) generally provide search criteria categories and associated values from which a user may select. The selections of the user are used to build the application query specification  242 . The query may then be executed in the manner described above.  
         [0075]    For purposes of the present description it will be helpful to define some terms. As is evident from the above description, to perform a search for a set of desired database records within the repository  254 , a requesting entity (e.g., application  240 ) builds a query by combining one or more “operands” and “logic operators” to form a search expression. The operands and operators together identify the desired search. Each operand may be a comparison operation (defined by a comparison operator, e.g., &gt;, &lt;, =) which defines a value for a parameter of an element in the repository  254 . For instance, an operand may be “(DateOfBirth=‘1942/01/01’)” which represents a request for search results having a “DateOfBirth” parameter equal to a date value of 1942/01/01. Another illustrative operand is “(DateOfBirth&gt;‘1942/01/01’)” which represents a request for search results having a “DateOfBirth” parameter greater than 1942/01/01. Two or more operands can be related by a logic operator representing a logical relationship between operands. Logic operators are logical connectors, such as logical AND, OR, and NOT. Each operand, or operand with a logic operator, defines a single search criterion.  
         [0076]    For purposes of the present description, a singular operand is referred to herein as a “simple condition” or just “condition”. Two or more operands/conditions related by a logic operator form a “complex condition” or “compound condition”. A simple condition or complex condition may make up a portion of a search expression (i.e., a query) which is executed by the application  240 .  
         [0077]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 - 11 , a series of graphical user interfaces are shown illustrating the user interfaces defined by the application  240 . By way of illustration, the graphical user interfaces shown in FIGS.  6 - 11  are specific to accessing medical data. However, embodiments of the invention may be used to advantage with any type of information including, for example, financial information, employment information, etc. In general, the graphical user interfaces shown in FIGS.  6 - 11  allow a user to build queries comprising conditions added by the user. Recall that, as defined herein, a simple condition is a comparison operation. An illustrative simple condition is (DateOfBirth=‘1942/01/01’). Thus, adding a simple condition to a query generally involves allowing the user to select operands and a comparison operator (e.g., &gt;, &lt;, =). In one embodiment, when a user initially invokes the application  240  via the browser program  222 , the application  240  returns HTML content which is rendered by the browser program  222  in the form of a first GUI  600 , shown in FIG. 6. The GUI  600  is the first of a series of screens which a user uses to add a condition to a query. In general, the GUI  600  includes a plurality of condition categories  602 - 610  (each having an associated radio button) from which a user may select. The condition categories shown include “demographics”  602 , “tests and laboratory results”  604 , “reports”  606 , “diagnostic using ICD-9”  608 , and “diagnostic using DRG”  610 . Each of the condition categories has an associated field  612 - 620  from/into which a value may be selected/input. Some fields (e.g., fields  612 - 616 ) are drop-down menus, while others are text boxes (e.g., fields  618 - 620 ) for receiving user input. In the latter case, the fields may have associated Browse buttons  622 - 624  to facilitate user selection of valid values.  
         [0078]    Once a condition category and value have been selected, the user clicks on the Next button  626 . Clicking the Next button  626  causes the browser program  622  to render (according to information provided by the application  640 ) the next appropriate graphical user interface necessary to continue the process of adding a condition. In this manner, the user may be presented with a series of graphical user interfaces necessary to add a condition. By way of example, assume that the user has selected the demographic condition category  602  and the “date of birth” value from the drop-down menu  612 . Upon pressing the Next button  626 , the user is presented with a second GUI  700  shown in FIG. 7. The GUI  700  comprises a comparison operator drop-down menu  702  from which a user may select a comparison operator (e.g., &gt;, &lt;, =) and a date field  704  into which a user may input a date according to a prescribed format (e.g., “yyyy/mm/dd”). The process of adding the date of birth condition is completed when the user clicks on the OK button  706 .  
         [0079]    When the user has completed the process of adding a condition (e.g., such as after clicking the OK button  706 ), the user is presented with the GUI  800  shown in FIG. 8. The resulting conditions are shown in a condition column  802 . In the present example, a first row of the condition column  802  shows the date of birth condition added using the GUIs  600  and  700  described above. The user may add another condition by clicking the “Add a Condition” button  804 . By repeating similar steps for each of the other available condition categories and values, any number of conditions may be added to a query. By way of illustration, the refreshed/updated GUI  800  shown in FIG. 9 shows a total of three conditions (including the date of birth condition described above), each of which were added by stepping through the graphical user interfaces for adding a condition (e.g., the GUIs  600  and  700 ). Further, although not shown, adding a condition may require any number of other graphical user interfaces. In particular, a plurality of additional graphical user interfaces may be required for more complicated conditions, such as ranges. The particular number, content, design and elements of such graphical user interfaces may be determined by persons skilled in the art according to aspects of the invention.  
         [0080]    After the first condition has been added, each of the subsequent conditions are related to one another to the first condition by a Boolean logic value/operator, referred to herein as a first level Boolean logic value. Referring to FIG. 9, the first level Boolean logic values are shown in a pair of columns  902 ,  904 . The first level Boolean logic values AND and OR are selected from drop-down menus  906 ,  908  in the first column  902 . An AND/OR drop-down menu is located between each condition. Accordingly, in the illustration shown in FIG. 9, a first drop-down menu  906  is located between the “date of birth” condition and the “gender” condition and a second drop-down menu  908  is located between the “gender” condition and a “hemoglobin” condition. In one embodiment, the first level Boolean logic value defaults to AND for each condition added after the first condition. A user may then change the default value to OR using the drop-down menu. Alternatively, the user may negate the condition by checking the appropriate NOT checkbox in the second column  904 .  
         [0081]    Once two or more conditions have been added to a query, two or more conditions may then be grouped together by Boolean logic values, referred to herein as second level Boolean logic values, to produce complex (or grouped) conditions. An example of a complex condition is ((employeeName=‘Rich’) OR (employeeName=‘John’)). Further, simple conditions and complex conditions may be connected by Boolean logic values to produce a hierarchy of conditions. In one embodiment, the first graphical element used to group conditions together is a “Group Conditions” button  910 .  
         [0082]    In one embodiment, pressing the “Group Conditions” button  910  causes the application  240  to generate the GUI  1000  shown in FIG. 10. The GUI  1000  displays each of the available conditions and an associated checkbox  1002  for each condition. The user selects which conditions are to be grouped together by checking the appropriate checkbox  1002 . Illustratively, the “gender” and the “hemoglobin” conditions are selected. The GUI  1000  further provides and “AND Group” button  1004  and an “OR Group” button  1006 , for ANDing or ORing the selected groups. Assume, by way of illustration, that a user clicks the “AND Group” button  1004 . The result of this action is shown by the updated GUI  800  in FIG. 11. Specifically, only two conditions  1102 ,  1104  remain, with the second condition  1104  being a complex condition comprising to sub conditions related by a Boolean AND. Further, the two conditions  1102 ,  704  are themselves related by a Boolean AND, shown in the drop-down menu  906 .  
         [0083]    Assume now that a user desires to ungroup the second condition  1104 . To facilitate this task, the GUI  900  (shown in FIG. 11) includes an “Undo Grouped Conditions” button  1106 . Pressing the “Undo Grouped Conditions” button  1106  causes the application  240  to generate the GUI  1200  shown in FIG. 12. The GUI  1200  displays each of the existing conditions and an associated checkbox  1202 . In alternative embodiment, only the complex conditions (such as the second condition  1104  in this case) are shown in the GUI  1200 . In any event, to ungroup a complex condition, the user checks the appropriate checkbox  1202  and then clicks the OK button  1204 . In this case, the result of ungrouping the second condition  1104  is shown by the GUI  900  and FIG. 9. That is, the conditions are returned to their original ungrouped states.  
         [0084]    The current structure of a given query may be viewed by a user in a search summary section  920  of the GUI  900  shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11. In one embodiment, the query displayed in a search summary section  920  is updated by clicking a “Refresh Search Summary” button  922 . Once the desired query has been built, the user may execute the query by pressing the “Run Search” button  924 . In particular, pressing the “Run Search” button  924  invokes a function of the application  240  which performs the execution.  
         [0085]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a condition (simple or complex) is qualified with one or more of the event profiles  244 . In one embodiment, an event profile is a persistent entity which may include one or more conditions and one or more logical connectors. Binding the event profile to another condition characterizes that portion of the query as event-based. As defined above, event-based queries are queries or searches that associate a search criterion/criteria (i.e., a condition) with an event defined by another search criterion/criteria (i.e., a condition). As defined herein, an event profile is an entity which is bound to a condition such that only those results are returned for which the condition and the event profile are contemporaneously (i.e., with respect to one another) satisfied. Stated differently, the event profile is only applied when the condition (also referred to the “event” in this context) occurred. Logically, the event profile may be viewed as connected to the condition/event by a WHEN clause. For example, the event-based search expression from above may be re-written as: “Find all customers who lived in Minnesota WHEN they were between the ages of 30 and 40 years”. In this example, the “event” is living in Minnesota. Thus, the condition “between the ages of 30 and 40 years” is only applied for the time during which customers lived in Minnesota.  
         [0086]    It should be noted that the event qualified by an event profile need to correspond directly to time. Specifically, an event may also be defined by a range of some parameter. For example, the following mathematical event may be specified:  10 &lt;X&lt;100. An event profile may then be bound (i.e., applied) to the mathematical event such that only those results are returned which satisfy the event profile at the time the mathematical event is satisfied.  
         [0087]    Illustrative, steps by which an event profile may be created and applied will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 13- 19 . Referring first to FIG. 6, assume that a user selects the “tests and laboratory results” condition category  604  with the selected test from the drop-down menu  214  being “Endocrine tests”. By pressing the NEXT button  226 , the user will be presented with the GUI screen  1300  shown in FIG. 13 from which the user may select a particular endocrine test. If available list is lengthy, then the screen is scrollable. After selecting the desired test (illustratively “Human growth hormone”) the user presses the NEXT button  1302  to proceed to the next screen  1400  (FIG. 14) in which the user defines the desired search criteria for the selected test. The upper portion of the screen  1400  includes a drop-down menu  1402  from which to select a comparison operator and a plurality of regular buttons (illustratively for) for defining a value. The user may search on a range of values for the selected test by checking the Range checkbox  1406 . The user must then specifying a comparison operator from the drop-down menu  1408  and an associated value by selecting one of the radio button is  1410 .  
         [0088]    Once the search criteria in the screen  1400  have been selected, the user may press the OK button  1414  to proceed to a GUI screen such as the screen  800  shown in FIG. 8 where the collective components of the query are displayed. Alternatively, the user may press the Apply Event Profile button  1412  to initiate a process of binding one of the event profiles  244  to the newly created condition.  
         [0089]    Assuming that the user presses the Apply Event Profile button  1412  and further assuming that no event profile has yet been defined, the user will be provided with the to the screen  1500  shown in FIG. 15. The screen  1500  generally comprises a plurality of radio buttons  1505 ,  1510 ,  1515 ,  1520 ,  1525  and  1530  each associated with a condition category. By selecting the desired radio button and pressing the OK button  1535 , the user is presented with a GUI screen  1600  (FIG. 16) which displays the defined conditions for an event profile in a condition column  1602 . For example, assume that the user selects the age range radio button  1505  and specifies a lower limit range of 40 (in a lower limit field  1506 ) and an upper limit range of 50 (in the upper limit field  1508 ). The resulting condition is shown in the first row of the condition column  1602  in the screen  1600 . The user may then add another condition by pressing the Add a Condition button  1610 , which returns the user to the screen  1500 . Assume that as a second condition, the user selects the geographic location radio button  1515  and specifies “Olmsted” in the county field  1517 . The resulting condition is shown in the second row of the condition column  1602 . The user may repeat the foregoing steps to add any number of conditions to the event profile. Note that the GUI screen  1600  also includes Group Conditions button  1612  and Undo Grouped Conditions button  1614  which allow the user to group and undo grouped conditions in the manner described above.  
         [0090]    Once the user has defined the desired event profile, the user may press the Save Profile button  1620  in order to create a persistent entity for future use. Upon pressing the Save Profile button  1620 , the user is presented with the GUI screen  1700  in FIG. 17. The GUI screen  1700  comprises a name field  1705  and a description field  1710  whereby the user may specify a name and a brief description, respectively, for the newly created event profile. Pressing the OK button  1715  returns the user to the GUI screen  1600 . The user may then press the OK button  1622  and proceed to the GUI screen  1800  (FIG. 18) where the existing event profiles are displayed according to their names specified in the name field  1705  of the screen  1700  shown in FIG. 17. The GUI screen  1800  is also where the user would have been directed after pressing the Apply Event Profile button  1412  in a GUI screen  1400  if at least one event profile had existed when the button  1412  was press. Each of the event profiles shown in the GUI screen  1800  has an associated radio button whereby the event profiles may be selected. Since the present example assumed that no event profiles existed, only the newly created event profile (“Olmsted County”) is shown. However, more typically, a number of event profiles will be displayed. In some cases, a user may be uncertain as to the defined conditions for an event profile. In such cases, the user may press a details button  1805  (only one shown) for a particular event profile to view its definition. Pressing the New Profile button  1810  returns the user to the GUI screen  1500  from which the user may repeat the foregoing steps to define an event profile. Pressing the OK button  1815  causes the selected event profile to be applied to the specified condition and presents the user with the updated GUI screen  800  in FIG. 19 in which the collective components of the query are displayed and from which the query may be executed. The newly created condition with the event profile is shown in the first row of the condition column  802 .  
         [0091]    The user may then add additional conditions, group conditions or undo group conditions in the manner described above. When the user is satisfied with the query, the user may run the query by pressing the Run Search button  924 .  
         [0092]    The query condition built in the foregoing example (and shown in the first row of the condition column  802  of the screen  800  in FIG. 19) includes a first condition (also referred to in this context as an “event”) for a human growth hormone test having a value greater than 500. This first condition is qualified by a second condition defined by an event profile which specifies and age range between 40 and 50 and a county named Olmsted. In the present invention, the event profile is defined such that the condition of the event profile is only applied for the time period when human growth hormone test values were greater than 500.  
         [0093]    The foregoing illustrative query composed with an event profile is further described with reference to the following Tables and the Appendix. Table III provides an example of a query abstraction to represent the query to return a firstname and lastname for people with HumanGrowthHormone value greater than 500 and using the event profile called “Olmsted Co”. This representation relies on the query execution runtime component  250  to read the contents of the appropriate event profile to find the conditions to append to the query. Line 006 in Table III identifies the event profile by name.  
                                                                                                                     TABLE III                       Query Abstraction                                &lt;?xml version=“1.0”?&gt;            002   &lt;!--Query string representation: (HumanGrowthHormone&gt; 500 AND [EP-            Olmsted Go])            003   &lt;QueryAbstraction&gt;            004   &lt;Selection&gt;            005   &lt;Condition field=“HumanGrowthHormone”operator=“GT” value=“500”            006   internalID=“1” EP=“Olmsted Co”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;       007   &lt;/Selection&gt;            008   &lt;Results&gt;            009   &lt;Field name=“FirstName“/&gt;       010   &lt;Field name=”LastName”/&gt;            011   &lt;/Results&gt;            012   &lt;/QueryAbstraction&gt;                  
 
         [0094]    Table IV shows an alternative implementation in which the conditions from the event profile called “Olmsted Co” are logically ANDed with those of the query conditions. Lines 007-012 are the conditions added from the event profile.  
                                                                                                                                                                           TABLE IV                           &lt;?xml version=“1.0”?&gt;            002   &lt;!--Query string representation: (HumanGrowthHormone &gt; 500 AND [EP-            Olmsted Go])            003   &lt;QueryAbstraction&gt;            004   &lt;Selection&gt;            005   &lt;Condition field=“HumanGrowthHormone” operator=“GT” value=“500”            006   internalID=“1”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;            007   &lt;Condition field=“AgeAtEvent” operator=“GE” value=“40”            008   internalID=“2” relOperator=“AND”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;            009   &lt;Condition field=“AgeAtEvent” operator=“LE” value=“50”            010   internalID=“3” relOperator=“AND”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;            011   &lt;Condition field=“CountyAtEvent” operator=“EQ” value=“Olmsted”            012   internalID=“4” relOperator=“AND”&gt;&lt;/Condition&gt;       013   &lt;/Selection&gt;            014   &lt;Results&gt;            015   &lt;Field name=“FirstName“/&gt;       016   &lt;Field name=”LastName”/&gt;            017   &lt;/Results&gt;            018   &lt;/QueryAbstraction&gt;                  
 
         [0095]    A representation of the Data Repository Abstraction used for the queries above is shown in the APPENDIX. The AgeAtEvent (058-063) is a composed access method which determines the age at the time of the event by using the labts field. labts is a timestamp for when the lab was performed that meet the criteria of the condition; Namely, when the Human Growth Hormone value was greater than 500. CountyAtEvent (064-069) is a filtered access method which compares move-in and move-out dates of an address history table to the timestamp of the lab event (labts).  
         [0096]    Table V illustrates an example of SQL that could be generated to perform the same query.  
         [0097]    Table V—SQL Example  
         [0098]    Select firstname, lastname from contact c, addrhist a, lab I where c.personid=a.personid and c.personid=I.personid and test=‘Human Growth Hormone’ and labvalue&gt;500 and year(date(labts)-birthdate)&gt;=40 and year(date(labts)-birthdate&lt;=50 and date(labts)&gt;=movein and date(labts)&lt;=moveout and county=‘Olmsted’  
         [0099]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.