Patent ID: RE40526

Claim:
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said second entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation.