Patent ID: 8849863

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for a computing environment employing a matrix-based mathematical programming language, the method comprising: generating a heterogeneous dataset in the computing environment with one or more processors, where: the heterogeneous dataset has at least: a plurality of variables including a first variable and a second variable, the first variable having elements of a first data type, and the second variable having elements of a second data type, the first variable or the second variable comprising a categorical array represented as a finite set of K text strings, a plurality of subjects, the elements of the first data type and the elements of the second data type being data concerning the plurality of subjects, and information relating to at least the first variable, the second variable, and the plurality of subjects, the information describing the plurality of variables and the plurality of subjects; assigning, by the one or more processors, an order to the finite set of K text strings of the categorical array; accessing, by the one or more processors, contents of the heterogeneous dataset in the computing environment; and providing, by the one or more processors, in the computing environment a portion of the accessed heterogeneous dataset.