Configuration engine for dynamically generating user interfaces

Arrangements for database schema creation and control are provided. In some aspects, a user may request creation or modification of a database schema. In response to receiving the request, one or more interactive user interfaces may be generated. The one or more interactive user interfaces may enable a user to select one or more selectable options for presenting data, establishing relationships between data, data sources, and the like. The schema, including a schema configuration including the presentational aspects and relationships, may be stored. A user may request to view data and the stored database schema may be retrieved. The schema may be transmitted to a configuration engine that may retrieve the requested data from one or more non-relational database sources. One or more user interfaces may be dynamically generated based on the schema configuration and may include the retrieved data.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the disclosure relate to electrical computers, systems, and devices performing database schema creation and control functions and including a configuration engine for dynamically generating user interfaces.

Storing data for later retrieval and display is an everyday part of the business of many enterprise organizations. Existing non-relational databases might not allow for streamlined composition of reading and/or updating queries of separate but related sources of data. Conventional user interfaces used to address relational creating, reading, updating and deleting operations are dynamically unchangeable due to the dependencies on the state at the time they are created. Accordingly, in these conventional systems, new additions of entities and even minor changes to database sources may result in major disruptions that require deployments in order to address the change. In addition, conventional systems may require users to update data in multiple places. These arrangements may require users to maintain knowledge of ever-changing, complex relations between various sources and to update data in multiple locations, which may lead to inaccuracies and mismatched data. Accordingly, arrangements to enable dynamic, relational presentation of data stored in a non-relational database may be advantageous.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure provide effective, efficient, scalable, and convenient technical solutions that address and overcome the technical dynamically displaying data from a non-relational database in a relational manner.

In some aspects, a user may request creation or modification of a database schema. In response to receiving the request, one or more interactive user interfaces may be generated. The one or more interactive user interfaces may enable a user to select one or more selectable options for presenting data, establishing relationships between data, data sources, and the like. The schema, including a schema configuration including the presentational aspects and relationships, may be stored.

A user may request to view data and the stored database schema may be retrieved. The schema may be transmitted to a configuration engine that may retrieve the requested data from one or more non-relational database sources. One or more user interfaces may then be dynamically generated based on the schema configuration and may include the retrieved data. The one or more user interfaces may be transmitted to a user computing device for display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, conventional non-relational databases, just as NoSQL databases, might not allow for streamlined composition of reading and/or updating queries of separate but related sources of data. In addition, modifications to non-relational databases in conventional arrangements can be rigid, require deployments, and may result in various inaccuracies in the data.

Accordingly, arrangements described herein are related to user-created schema configurations that may dynamically present custom views to users where data can be holistically accessed and updated. In some examples, different views can be created from a same set of data based on the user, their role or job function, business unit, or other user attribute. In some examples, changes to database schemas may be relayed to the dynamic configuration in real-time or near real-time without any disruptions or display purposes.

In some examples, a user may request to modify data displayed based on the database schema. Accordingly, a configuration engine may identify relational mapping of the data to deconstruct the data into its subcomponents and subsequently programmatically update the database sources.

As will be discussed more fully herein, in some arrangements, the system may generate one or more interactive user interfaces to aid users in creating a schema and/or schema configuration. In some examples, the one or more user interfaces may provide step-by-step processes for specifying presentational components and/or relationships between data, data sources, and the like.

One or more other user interfaces may also be generated by the system to display the requested data based on the generated schema and retrieved data. The user interfaces may be generated in real-time or near real-time to quickly and accurately present data to the user.

These and various other arrangements will be discussed more fully below.

FIGS.1A-1Bdepict an illustrative computing environment for implementing and using a configuration engine to dynamically display data based on customized database schema in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. Referring toFIG.1A, computing environment100may include one or more computing devices and/or other computing systems. For example, computing environment100may include database schema creation and control computing platform110, internal entity computing system120, internal entity computing system125, entity user computing device150, and entity user computing device155. Although two internal entity computing systems120,125and two entity user computing devices150,155are shown, more or fewer devices may be used with the system without departing from the invention.

Database schema creation and control computing platform110may be configured to provide intelligent, dynamic database schema creation and control functions, including dynamically displaying data based on customized database schema. For instance, database schema creation and control computing platform110may receive, from a user computing device such as entity user computing device150, entity user computing device155, or the like, a request to create and/or update a database schema. In response to the request, the database schema creation and control computing platform110may generate and transmit one or more interactive user interfaces enabling creation of the database schema. The interface(s) may be transmitted to the user computing device to receive user input selecting one or more options provided to the user. In some examples, the interface(s) may provide a step-by-step process for creating the schema, identifying relations between data for display, identifying sources of data from one or more non-relational databases, identifying presentational components, or the like. In some arrangements, the user interface(s) and/or selectable options may be generated based on a job function, role, position, level, or the like, of the user, such that different options may be available for selection based on the particular user, job function, role, position, level, or the like.

The generated schema may include a schema configuration storing or implementing the customized selections made by the user. The schema and associated configuration may be stored by the database schema creation and control computing platform110.

After creating and/or updating a database schema, the database schema creation and control computing platform110may receive a request to display data associated with the schema. Based on the request, the database schema creation and control computing platform110may transmit the stored version of the schema to a configuration engine that may retrieve data from one or more source databases (e.g., that may be associated with one or more of internal entity computing system120, internal entity computing system125, or the like. In some examples, the source databases may be non-relational databases. Accordingly, by creating the schema, relations between data may be identified and data may be displayed according to the relations, without the use of a relational database.

The database schema creation and control computing platform110may dynamically generate, based on the retrieved data and schema configuration, one or more user interfaces displaying the requested data. The dynamic user interfaces may be generated based on live data retrieved from the source databases but displayed based on relations identified in the schema configuration.

In some examples, a user may select to modify data (e.g., via the dynamically generated user interface(s)). If data is modified, the modification may, in some examples, be transmitted to the configuration engine that will push the modification to the appropriate source database. For instance, in some examples, the configuration engine may identify relational mapping of the data to deconstruct the data into its subcomponents and subsequently programmatically update the database sources.

Internal entity computing system120and/or internal entity computing system125may be one or more computing devices, systems, or the like, associated with the entity or enterprise organization implementing the database schema creation and control computing platform110. Internal entity computing system120and/or internal entity computing system125may have or include one or more databases, such as non-relational databases, storing various types of data, data elements, and the like. In some examples, internal entity computing system120and/or internal entity computing system125may also have, store or include one or more applications executing thereon and providing one or more business functions to the enterprise organization.

Entity user computing device150and/or entity user computing device155may be one or more computing devices associated with the enterprise organization. For instance, entity user computing device150and/or entity user computing device155may be a computing device accessed by one or more users (e.g., employees of the enterprise organization) in the course of business and may be used to request creation or modification of a database schema, display an interactive user interface for creating a database schema, request display of data, display one or more user interfaces including requested data, and the like.

Computing environment100also may include one or more computing platforms. For example, and as noted above, computing environment100may include database schema creation and control computing platform110. As illustrated in greater detail below, database schema creation and control computing platform110may include one or more computing devices configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, database schema creation and control computing platform110may include one or more computers (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, servers, server blades, or the like).

As mentioned above, computing environment100also may include one or more networks, which may interconnect one or more of database schema creation and control computing platform110, internal entity computing system120, internal entity computing system125, entity user computing device150, and/or entity user computing device155. For example, computing environment100may include private network190. In some examples, the computing environment100may also include a public network through which one or more devices external to the enterprise organization may access one or more systems within the enterprise organization. Private network190and/or any public network may include one or more sub-networks (e.g., Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), or the like). Private network190may be associated with a particular organization (e.g., a corporation, financial institution, educational institution, governmental institution, or the like) and may interconnect one or more computing devices associated with the organization. For example, database schema creation and control computing platform110, internal entity computing system120, internal entity computing system125, entity user computing device150, and entity user computing device155, may be associated with an enterprise organization (e.g., a financial institution), and private network190may be associated with and/or operated by the organization, and may include one or more networks (e.g., LANs, WANs, virtual private networks (VPNs), or the like) that interconnect database schema creation and control computing platform110, internal entity computing system120, internal entity computing system125, entity user computing device150, entity user computing device155, and one or more other computing devices and/or computer systems that are used by, operated by, and/or otherwise associated with the organization.

Referring toFIG.1B, database schema creation and control computing platform110may include one or more processors111, memory112, and communication interface113. A data bus may interconnect processor(s)111, memory112, and communication interface113. Communication interface113may be a network interface configured to support communication between database schema creation and control computing platform110and one or more networks (e.g., private network190, public network, or the like). Memory112may include one or more program modules having instructions that when executed by processor(s)111cause database schema creation and control computing platform110to perform one or more functions described herein and/or one or more databases that may store and/or otherwise maintain information which may be used by such program modules and/or processor(s)111. In some instances, the one or more program modules and/or databases may be stored by and/or maintained in different memory units of database schema creation and control computing platform110and/or by different computing devices that may form and/or otherwise make up database schema creation and control computing platform110.

For example, memory112may have, store and/or include schema creation module112a. Schema creation module112amay store instructions and/or data that may cause or enable the database schema creation and control computing platform110to receive a request to create or modify a database schema, generate one or more interactive user interfaces to facilitate creation or modification of the database schema, and the like. In some examples, schema creation module112amay receive or capture user data associated with the user requesting creation or modification of the schema and may modify options provided via the interactive user interface based on the user data. For instance, user data may include a job function of the user, level, business group, role, or the like. Accordingly, the interactive user interface may be generated to include customized options available for selection by the user based on the user data.

Database schema creation and control computing platform110may further have, store and/or include schema configuration module112b. Schema configuration module112bmay store instructions and/or data that may cause or enable the database schema creation and control computing platform110to generate a schema configuration based on selections made by a user via the one or more interactive user interfaces generated by the schema creation module. In some examples, the schema configuration module112bmay store one or more relations between data or data sources, presentational components, and the like, for display to the user. Accordingly, as data is retrieved, it may be displayed based on relations identified in the schema configuration. In some examples, a generated database schema including a schema configuration may be stored by the database schema creation and control computing platform110in, for instance, database112e.

Database schema creation and control computing platform110may further have, store and/or include a configuration engine112c. Configuration engine112cmay store instructions and/or data that may cause or enable the database schema creation and control computing platform110to receive a request to display data, receive a schema configuration associated with the request to display data and retrieve data from one or more source databases based on the schema configuration. In some examples, if data modifications are requested, the configuration engine112cmay receive the data modifications and transmit the modifications to a source database for execution. For instance, the configuration engine112cmay identify relational mapping of the data to deconstruct the data into its subcomponents and subsequently programmatically update the database sources based on the requested data modification.

Database schema creation and control computing platform110may further have, store and/or include user interface generation module112d. User interface generation module112dmay store instructions and/or data that may cause or enable database schema creation and control computing platform110to generate one or more interactive user interfaces for display on, for instance, entity user computing device150, entity user computing device155, or the like. For instance, one or more interactive user interfaces generated based on retrieved user data and a schema configuration may be generated and transmitted for display on entity user computing device150, entity user computing device155, or the like. The data may be displayed based on relations established via the schema configuration. In some examples, the interactive user interfaces may enable a user to modify or request modification of data. Any requests for data modification may be transmitted to the configuration engine112cfor execution.

FIGS.2A-2Fdepict one example illustrative event sequence for creating and using a database schema to display data from one or more non-relational databases in a relational manner in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. The events shown in the illustrative event sequence are merely one example sequence and additional events may be added, or events may be omitted, without departing from the invention. Further, one or more processes discussed with respect toFIGS.2A-2Fmay be performed in real-time or near real-time.

Referring toFIG.2A, at step201, an entity user computing device, such as entity user computing device150, may receive a request to generate or modify a database schema. For instance, a user associated with an enterprise organization may request to create a database schema. In some examples, the request to create or modify the database schema may be input by the user. Additionally or alternatively, a user may request to view data and the system may determine that a database schema should be created based on the request to display data.

In some examples, the request may include identification of a user associated with the request. In some examples, the request may include additional user data, such as role, job function, line of business, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the user data may be retrieved from one or more other sources, such as a database storing user data.

At step202, a connection may be established between the entity user computing device150and the database schema creation and control computing platform110. For instance, a first wireless connection may be established between the entity user computing device150and database schema creation and control computing platform110. Upon establishing the first wireless connection, a communication session may be initiated between database schema creation and control computing platform110and entity user computing device150.

At step203, the request to create or modify the database schema may be transmitted from the entity user computing device150to the database schema creation and control computing platform110. For instance, the request to create or modify the database schema may be transmitted from the entity user computing device150to the database schema creation and control computing platform110during the communication session initiated upon establishing the first wireless connection.

At step204, the database schema creation and control computing platform110may receive the request to generate, create or modify a database schema. At step205, the database schema creation and control computing platform110may generate one or more interactive user interfaces to facilitate creation of the database schema. In some examples, generating the one or more interactive user interfaces may be based on user data received with the request to create a database schema or retrieved based on the request. The user data may be used to customize selectable options provided to the user via the interactive user interface based on, for instance, job function, business group, or the like.

With reference toFIG.2B, at step206, database schema creation and control computing platform110may transmit the generated interactive user interface(s) to entity user computing device150. Transmitting the interactive user interface(s) may include transmitting an instruction to command causing the interactive user interface(s) to be displayed on a display of the entity user computing device.

At step207, the interactive user interface(s) may be received by the entity user computing device150and displayed by a display of the entity user computing device150.

At step208, entity user computing device150may receive user input including one or more option selections made via the interactive user interface(s). For instance, a user may build a database schema to display the desired or requested data by selecting one or more options from the one or more user interfaces. Accordingly, the options provided to the user may be customized based on user data, and the schema created may be customized based on user selections. In some examples, the user selections may include identification of one or more relations between data that may be stored in and/or retrieved from a non-relational database.

At step209, the received user input (e.g., user selections) may be transmitted from the entity user computing device150to the database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step210, the user input may be received and, based on the received input, the requested schema may be generated or created by the database schema creation and control computing platform110. As discussed herein, the generated schema may include a schema configuration including relations identified or other parameters, such as presentational components, selected by the user in creating the database schema.

With reference toFIG.2C, at step211, the generated schema and associated configuration may be stored. For instance, the generated schema may be stored in a database of the database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step212, entity user computing device150may receive a request to view or display data. In examples in which the request to create or modify a database schema included a request to display data, step212may be omitted.

In some examples, the request to view or display data may include identification of a particular schema, identification of a user associated with the request, and the like.

At step213, the request to view or display data may be transmitted from the entity user computing device150to the database schema creation and control computing platform110. At step214, the request to view or display data may be received by database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step215, a stored schema may be retrieved. For instance, a schema identified in a request to view or display data may be retrieved from, for instance, a database in database schema creation and control computing platform110. Additionally or alternatively, a schema may be identified and retrieved based on a user requesting to view or display the data. In some examples, retrieving the schema may include retrieving a schema configuration and transmitting the configuration to the configuration engine of database schema creation and control computing platform110.

With reference toFIG.2D, at step216, a connection may be established between the database schema creation and control computing platform110and the internal entity computing system120. For instance, a second wireless connection may be established between the database schema creation and control computing platform110and the internal entity computing system120. Upon establishing the second wireless connection, a communication session may be initiated between database schema creation and control computing platform110and internal entity computing system120.

At step217, a request for data may be generated. For instance, configuration engine112cof database schema creation and control computing platform110may receive the schema configuration and generate a request for data from one or more source databases. In some examples, the source databases may be non-relational databases.

At step218, the generated request for data may be transmitted from the database schema creation and control computing platform110to one or more source databases, such as internal entity computing system120that may include one or more databases.

At step219, the request for data may be received and executed to retrieve the requested data. At step220, the retrieved data may be transmitted from internal entity computing system120to database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step221, the retrieved data may be received by the database schema creation and control computing platform110and configured (e.g., by configuration engine112c) based on the schema configuration. Accordingly, relations established between data, data sources, and the like, based on user input may be identified and the data may be configured for display (e.g., based on the data, selected presentational components in the schema configuration, and the like).

With reference toFIG.2E, at step222, one or more user interfaces displaying the requested data may be generated. The user interfaces may be generated based on the schema configuration built by the user and may display the data based on relations and/or presentational components selected or input by the user. Accordingly, the user interface may be customized to display data based on user input. In some examples, the one or more user interfaces may be interactive and may enable a user to request modification of data.

At step223, the generated one or more user interfaces may be transmitted to the entity user computing device150. In some examples, transmitting the user interfaces may include transmitting an instruction or command causing the user interfaces to display on a display of entity user computing device150.

At step224, the user interfaces may be received by entity user computing device150and displayed by a display of entity user computing device150.

At step225, user input including a request for modification of data may be received by entity user computing device150. For instance, a user may request to change a data element, delete an element, or the like. At step226, the data modification request may be transmitted by the entity user computing device150to the database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step227, the modification request may be received by database schema creation and control computing platform110.

With reference toFIG.2F, at step228, relational mapping of the data may be identified to deconstruct the data into its subcomponents and an instruction to modify the data may be generated. For instance, configuration engine112cmay generate an instruction to modify data based on the received modification request, relational mapping, data deconstruction, and the like. The generated instructions may include an instruction to programmatically update the database sources based on the data modification.

At step229, the instruction to modify the data may be transmitted by the database schema creation and control computing platform110to the internal entity computing system120. At step230, the instruction may be received by internal entity computing system120and, at step231, the instruction may be executed and the data may be modified. Accordingly, subsequent requests to display data associated with that schema may include retrieving the modified data and displaying that data.

FIG.3is a flow chart illustrating one example method of creating and using a database schema to display data from one or more non-relational databases in a relational manner according to one or more aspects described herein. The processes illustrated inFIG.3are merely some example processes and functions. The steps shown may be performed in the order shown, in a different order, more steps may be added, or one or more steps may be omitted, without departing from the invention. In some examples, one or more steps may be performed simultaneously with other steps shown and described. One of more steps shown inFIG.3may be performed in real-time or near real-time.

At step300, a request to create or modify a database schema may be received. For instance, database schema creation and control computing platform110may receive the request to create or modify a database schema from an entity user computing device, such as entity user computing device150. In some examples, the request to create or modify the database schema may be received as part of or extracted from a request to view data received from the entity user computing device. In some arrangements, the request may include user data or attributes of a user, such as user identifying data, job function data, business group data, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, user data or attributes of the user may be retrieved from one or more databases in response to receiving the request to create or modify the database schema.

At step302, a first user interface may be generated and transmitted to the entity user computing device. For instance, database schema creation and control computing platform110may generate one or more interactive user interfaces configured to provide step-by-step processes to create or modify the database schema. The first user interface may include a plurality of selectable options available for selection by the user. In some arrangements, the selectable options provided via the first interface may be identified or determined based on the user data associated with the user requesting the creation or modification of the database schema. In some examples, transmitting the first user interface may cause the first user interface to display on a display of the entity user computing device150.

FIG.4illustrates one example user interface400that may be generated and transmitted. The user interface400includes a plurality of selectable options, drop down menus and the like. In some examples, drag and drop aspects may be used to select options. While interface400is one example interface, additional interfaces providing alternative or additional selectable options may be used without departing from the invention.

At step304, user input including one or more selections may be received by the database schema creation and control computing platform110. For instance, a user may input into the entity user computing device, via the first user interface, one or more selections of the plurality of selectable options. The one or more selections may identify presentational components and/or relationships between different data, data sources, and the like.

At step306, the database schema may be generated, created or modified based on the user input received. For instance, the requested database schema may be generated, created or modified based on the selections made by the user via the first user interface. The database schema may include a schema configuration holding or defining the presentational components and/or relationships between data.

At step308, the database schema may be stored. For instance, the database schema may be stored in a database of the database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step310, a request to view data may be received. For instance, database schema creation and control computing platform110may receive, from, e.g., entity user computing device150, a request to view data.

Responsive to receiving the request to view data, at step312, the created or modified database schema may be retrieved and transmitted to a configuration engine of the database schema creation and control computing platform110.

At step314, the configuration engine may retrieve data from one or more non-relational databases. In some examples, retrieving the data may include retrieving data from a plurality of data tables.

At step316, a second user interface may be dynamically generated. The second user interface may include the requested data presented according to the database schema (e.g., including the presentational components selected and the relationships between the data).

At step318, the second user interface may be transmitted by the database schema creation and control computing platform110to the entity user computing device150and displayed on a display of the entity user computing device150.

As discussed herein, aspects described are directed to dynamically displaying data from one or more non-relational databases in a relational manner. The aspects described herein provide one or more interactive user interfaces to aid users in creating a database schema and associated schema configuration. Further, dynamically generated user interfaces described herein may be used to display data based on the schema configuration. Accordingly, the dynamically generated user interfaces may include or display separately stored by related data in a single view based on a live reading or retrieval of the current schema configuration.

As discussed herein, the arrangements described include a configuration engine that implements the schema configuration to assemble multi-sourced data for reading and/or display in a dynamically generated user interface. In addition, the configuration engine may deconstruct the single-presenting data (e.g., data from multiple sources displayed together via the dynamically generated user interface) into its sub-components to be reinserted or modified in their respective sources.

Accordingly, the arrangements discussed herein provide a holistic view of data stored in different tables. In addition, the systems described enable or provide different or customized views of data from a same data set based on a role or other attribute of the user. The arrangements described further provide for real-time change updates to views presented to a user and assists users in creating a database schema.

FIG.5depicts an illustrative operating environment in which various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring toFIG.5, computing system environment500may be used according to one or more illustrative embodiments. Computing system environment500is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality contained in the disclosure. Computing system environment500should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components shown in illustrative computing system environment500.

Computing system environment500may include database schema creation and control computing device501having processor503for controlling overall operation of database schema creation and control computing device501and its associated components, including Random Access Memory (RAM)505, Read-Only Memory (ROM)507, communications module509, and memory515. Database schema creation and control computing device501may include a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media may be any available media that may be accessed by database schema creation and control computing device501, may be non-transitory, and may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, object code, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer readable media may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by database schema creation and control computing device501.

Software may be stored within memory515and/or storage to provide instructions to processor503for enabling database schema creation and control computing device501to perform various functions as discussed herein. For example, memory515may store software used by database schema creation and control computing device501, such as operating system517, application programs519, and associated database521. Also, some or all of the computer executable instructions for database schema creation and control computing device501may be embodied in hardware or firmware. Although not shown, RAM505may include one or more applications representing the application data stored in RAM505while database schema creation and control computing device501is on and corresponding software applications (e.g., software tasks) are running on database schema creation and control computing device501.

Communications module509may include a microphone, keypad, touch screen, and/or stylus through which a user of database schema creation and control computing device501may provide input, and may also include one or more of a speaker for providing audio output and a video display device for providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphical output. Computing system environment500may also include optical scanners (not shown).

Database schema creation and control computing device501may operate in a networked environment supporting connections to one or more remote computing devices, such as computing devices541and551. Computing devices541and551may be personal computing devices or servers that include any or all of the elements described above relative to database schema creation and control computing device501.

The network connections depicted inFIG.5may include Local Area Network (LAN)525and Wide Area Network (WAN)529, as well as other networks. When used in a LAN networking environment, database schema creation and control computing device501may be connected to LAN525through a network interface or adapter in communications module509. When used in a WAN networking environment, database schema creation and control computing device501may include a modem in communications module509or other means for establishing communications over WAN529, such as network531(e.g., public network, private network, Internet, intranet, and the like). The network connections shown are illustrative and other means of establishing a communications link between the computing devices may be used. Various well-known protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and the like may be used, and the system can be operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server.

The disclosure is operational with numerous other computing system environments or configurations. Examples of computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the disclosed embodiments include, but are not limited to, personal computers (PCs), server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, smart phones, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like that are configured to perform the functions described herein.

FIG.6depicts an illustrative block diagram of workstations and servers that may be used to implement the processes and functions of certain aspects of the present disclosure in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring toFIG.6, illustrative system600may be used for implementing example embodiments according to the present disclosure. As illustrated, system600may include one or more workstation computers601. Workstation601may be, for example, a desktop computer, a smartphone, a wireless device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like, configured to perform various processes described herein. Workstations601may be local or remote, and may be connected by one of communications links602to computer network603that is linked via communications link605to database schema creation and control server604. In system600, database schema creation and control server604may be a server, processor, computer, or data processing device, or combination of the same, configured to perform the functions and/or processes described herein. Server604may be used to receive requests to create or modify a database schema, generate and transmit interactive user interfaces, store database schema, retrieve and display data according to a schema configuration, modify data, and the like.

Computer network603may be any suitable computer network including the Internet, an intranet, a Wide-Area Network (WAN), a Local-Area Network (LAN), a wireless network, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, a frame relay network, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode network, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or any combination of any of the same. Communications links602and605may be communications links suitable for communicating between workstations601and database schema creation and control server604, such as network links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, as well as network types developed in the future, and the like.

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one or more of the steps depicted in the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, one or more steps described with respect to one figure may be used in combination with one or more steps described with respect to another figure, and/or one or more depicted steps may be optional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.