Patent ID: 7315860

Claim:
A method of storing data in a database, comprising: obtaining a first raw data value; generating a first syntax-normalized data value associated with the first raw data value; storing concurrently in a first table and a second table both the first syntax-normalized data value and the first raw data value; receiving a query associated with an object and with the first syntax-normalized data value, wherein: the object is associated with a first entry identifier; and the first syntax-normalized data value is associated with an attribute identifier; retrieving from the first table a plurality of entry identifiers, wherein each of the plurality of entry identifiers is associated, in the first table, with a parent entry identifier that matches the first entry identifier; and for each of the retrieved entry identifiers: identifying in the second table an entry associated with the respective retrieved entry identifier, wherein the entry is associated with the attribute identifier and comprises a respective syntax-normalized data value and a respective raw data value; and if the respective syntax-normalized data value matches the first syntax-normalized data value, retrieving the respective raw data value.