Patent ID: 7574423

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for using a system that includes a client device and a server device described by a plurality of system parameters in building queries against a database represented by a data abstraction model, the method comprising: receiving, from a user interacting with the client device, a first request to display one or more logical fields of the data abstraction model, wherein the data abstraction model includes a plurality of logical field fields representative of physical fields of the database, wherein each logical field includes a logical field definition specifying at least a name and an access method for accessing physical data elements stored in physical fields of the database corresponding to a respective logical field, and wherein each logical field provides a query element available for inclusion in an abstract query; selectively retrieving, in response to the request, a portion of the data abstraction model that includes the one or more logical fields, based on system parameters that limit accessibility to the data abstraction model by the client device; storing the retrieved portion of the data abstraction model in a cache available on the client device; displaying the one or more logical fields to the user; receiving, from the user, a second request to display one or more logical fields of the data abstraction model; determining if there is sufficient available space in the cache to store the one or more logical fields specified by the second request; in response to determining there is insufficient available space in the cache to store the one or more logical fields specified by the second request, selectively removing portions of the data abstraction model from the cache to make sufficient available space for the retrieved portion of the data abstraction model; and displaying the one or more logical fields specified by the second request.