Patent ID: 7788285

Claim:
A computer implemented method comprising: using a processor for: creating an update vector for a parent database object having a plurality of dependent database objects, wherein the update vector identifies updated attributes of the parent database object, wherein at least one of the updated attributes corresponds to a portion of the parent database object that has been updated, wherein the portion of the parent database object is utilized by at least one other dependent database object; associating a dependency vector with a dependent database object, wherein the dependency vector identifies a plurality of attributes of the parent database object on which the dependent database object depends; comparing the dependency vector of the dependent database object with the update vector to determine whether the dependent database object depends on the updated attributes of the parent database object, wherein the act of comparing the dependency vector of the dependent database object with the update vector comprises accessing a dependency table for the parent database object; identifying the parent database object; and retrieving the dependency vector of the dependent database object and the update vector associated with the parent database object; determining whether recompilation of the dependent database object is necessary based at least in part upon a result of the comparing the dependency vector with the update vector such that some of the dependent data objects are recompiled rather than recompiling all the dependent data objects; and storing the result in a volatile or non-volatile computer-readable medium or displaying the result on a display device.