Patent ID: 6915298

Claim:
A method for adding user-defined database relationships to a schema diagram, comprising the steps of: defining formal database relationships between objects in a database schema, said formal database relationships having an operational effect upon a database engine; storing said formal database relationships in database files accessible by said database engine for said database engine to operate upon; forming a graphical schema diagram map having graphical indicia representing said objects and graphical indicia representing said formal database relationships; graphically displaying said retrieved schema diagram map for a user; said user defining user-defined database relationships between said objects, said user-defined database relationships having no operational effect upon said database engine; storing said user-defined database relationships separately from said database files, said user-defined database relationships inaccessible to said database engine; modifying said retrieved schema diagram map to further include graphical indicia representing said user-defined database relationships; and graphically displaying said modified schema diagram map for a user.