Patent ID: 7363310

Claim:
A computer implemented method for converting an XML encoded dataset into a set of SQL tables and storing said XML encoded dataset in said set of tables, said method comprising: identifying at least one hierarchical structure in said XML encoded dataset; and converting an XML encoded dataset associated with each identified hierarchical structure, wherein for each identified hierarchical structure said converting step comprises the further steps of: determining a node element set for said identified hierarchical structure of said XML encoded dataset, wherein each node element in said node element set is a discrete level of said identified hierarchical structure of said dataset, said discrete level having an internal structure containing either element content or element content and data content; determining one or more nodes of said XML encoded dataset, each node being an instance of a node element; allocating to each said instance of a node element a unique node identifier; and generating and storing said set of SQL tables, said set of SQL tables containing one or more records, each record corresponding to a respective one of said allocated node identifiers; wherein said node elements are selected to eliminate the need for downstream applications to assemble data from an elemental level, and wherein said set of SQL tables are limited to a number of tables required by said downstream applications.