DE19845378A1 - Computer system for information programming, has hierarchically organized object structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The hierarchically organized object structure, for a computer system, has each object in a block with five memory regions. Each object is in the form of a duplicate free element. Each region of the memory contains different features of the object.

Description

The technical field of the invention relates to a computer system for creating, storing and Processing of object structures and their application to known embodiments of Computer systems in the field of information processing.

The software program parts belonging to the state of the art, the hierarchical structures emulate are mainly used in the following software categories: Author programs for expert systems, CASE tools for database design, object oriented databases and object-oriented programming environments.

The known software solutions regularly do not have any methods for creating, storing and processing of structures per se. The solution of predetermined, narrowly defined The focus is on tasks.

For this reason, no solutions are known, the structures without one can handle the specified task area or the several structures with each other Can relate. However, these skills are required when using complex structures must be created, what with the increasing complexity of technology to an increasing extent Case is.

The invention is therefore based on the object of the known computing system at the beginning specified type to improve that with the simplest possible arrangements of Object identifiers in memory areas Object structures and connections between one A variety of object structures can be set up, managed and used.

To solve this problem, the specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 Features suggested. Further advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The following part of the description contains three sections:

• 1. Definitions
• 2. Representation of structural model
• 3. Description of the invention with reference to the claims and drawings

1. Definitions

The following definitions are used in this brief for important key terms:
The alternatively used terms "structure" and "object structure" are used as defined in the draft for DIN 44300 Part 1 of March 1995 "Information processing; terms, general terms" paragraph 1.1.7 in note 1:
"For a set of objects, the selected set of relationships that is emphasized by a given way of looking at things. Note 1: The elements of the set of objects do not have to be the same. Graphic means are often used to represent structures. Examples are chain, ring, star "Tree, stratification. In many cases, structure is also understood to mean the set of objects together with the selected set of relationships....".

The term "object (also: subject)" follows the definition in DIN 2342 Part 1 "Terms of Terminology, basic terms "Paragraph 1.1:" Any section of the perceptible or imaginable world. Note: Events, facts and terms can also Objects. ".

The term "term" follows the definition in the aforementioned DIN 2342 part 1 paragraph 2.1:
"Unit of thought that is formed from a set of objects (also: objects) by determining the properties common to these objects (also: objects) by means of abstraction."

According to the definition, "objects" or "objects" can also be "terms". Therefore the term "object" is often used in this brief for "term", as it is colloquially it is usually the case. The exact meaning can be seen from the Determine relationship.

The term "hierarchical" corresponds to the explanations in DIN 2331 "Term systems and their Representation "Paragraph 3.2.1 on" hierarchical relationships ".

2. Representation of structural model

The structural model on which the solution according to the invention is based is as follows described. This description goes beyond the scope of a technical description and shows model-theoretical relationships to an understanding of the building on it to enable technical relationships.

The structure model contains two types of structure: basic structure, analog structure and four object types: base object, analog object, base derivative object, analog derivative object. The basic structure follows the mono-hierarchical abstraction system according to the Description in DIN 2331 "Conceptual systems and their representation" Paragraph 3.3.2. and contains Base objects. Base objects have their own place within the base structure, which is defined by the Relationship to other base objects is established in this structure. Basic structures included in usually a theoretical representation of reality by general features of a mental  delimited object. The structure thus represents an object , with the features again being viewed as objects.

If a theoretical object already depicted in a basic structure has a related, special or concrete object is to be assigned, then this is done by in a additional structure the individual characteristics of this new object the general Characteristics of the existing theoretical object can be assigned.

This new structure, an analog structure, requires a structure different from a basic structure, which is unknown in the technical field and has not been described in the literature so far. An analog structure has the following features:
An analog structure is assigned to exactly one basic structure and contains analog objects. An analog object is assigned to a base object of the base structure. Several base objects cannot be assigned to the same base structure. An analog object does not have to be assigned to each base object.

An analog structure therefore does not have its own relationship structure between the analog objects, but only one that is "analog" to the relationship structure of the basic structure. That has to Consequence that when changing the location of a base object the location of an assigned Analog object is also changed and a base object cannot be deleted if there is at least one assigned analog object.

A large number of analog structures can be assigned to a basic structure.

A basic structure can be connected to any basic object or an analog object. This object forms the point of connection within a structure for another structure. This creates superordinate and subordinate structures.

A base object or analog object usually has its own object content.

A special type of base object or analog object exists if an object does not own content, but through an object content relationship to the content of a certain, other base or analog object.

This object type is given the name "derivative object". A derivative object is not a copy of one other object. It can additionally or subsequently receive its own object content. The Objects that take on the characteristic of a derivative object become the base derivative object or Called analog derivative object.

A derivative object can have the following additional properties:
The object content is not that of a specific base or analog object, but can take the object content of any object from the set of objects that are subordinate to the object with the object content relationship.

Objects can be next to the structural object relationships that take up space within a structure determine, get additional object relationships of different types to other objects.  

3. Description of the invention with reference to the claims and drawings

The characterizing part of claim 1 contains an arrangement of keys and identifiers of Objects that, in addition to the main characteristics of an object, contain the redundancy-free information included to uniquely determine the structures formed from the objects. With minimal A data structure that is identical for all object types is used for memory. This is particularly advantageous if the data storage and operation by the user different computer systems connected to one another by data networks, because hereby standardized methods of data storage and data query for use can come.

Fig. 1 to 3 include illustrations of three structures that relate to each other.

Figure 1 shows the example of a basic structure that contains the main features of a screw.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a basic structure with a breakdown of alternative types of material of a screw.

Fig. 3 shows an example of an analog structure of a particular embodiment of a screw type DIN 933.

Fig. 4 shows the keys and identifiers according to the characterizing part of claim 1 of 17 objects in tabular form, a table row representing a block of memory areas of an object. Columns 1 to 5 correspond to memory areas 1 to 5 of all objects. The objects contained in this table form the structures shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 shows a table, the references to the objects comprising on the table cells in text format.

The basic structure in FIG. 1 "( 1 ) screw features" is not subordinate to any other structure, since, as can be seen in FIG. 4, in the row in which column 2 contains the identifier "1", in column 4 no identifier is available.

The basic structure in FIG. 2 "( 4 ) material type", on the other hand, is connected to the object "( 3 ) material" in FIG. 1 "( 1 ) screw features". This connection results from the identifier "3" in column 4 in the row with the identifier "4" in column 2 of the table in FIG. 4.

In Fig. 3 the objects of the basic structure "( 1 ) screw features" are shown as dotted rectangles. The rectangles with the solid lines represent the objects of the analog structure "( 13 ) screw type DIN 933" and each cover a small part of the rectangle of the assigned base object in order to illustrate the assignment using this graphic means. The object of the analog structure with the identifier "15" in column 2 of the table in FIG. 4 is an analog derivative object and relates to the content of the object "( 7 ) type 8.8" in basic structure "( 4 ) material type" in FIG. 2 This object content relationship results from the identifier "7" in column 3 in the row with the identifier "15" in column 2 of FIG .

In the analog structure "( 13 ) screw type DIN 933" in FIG. 3, the analog space of the base object "( 10 ) dimensions" is unoccupied. This is possible in an analog structure according to the definition set up.

As can be seen from the table in FIG. 4, a key in column 5 with the content "B" defines a base object at the top level of a base structure, a key with the content "A" an analog object and an identifier a base object below the top Level.

In the programmatic implementation of the memory contents in structural representations, which Setting up, managing and using the object structures can be used on the known Algorithms from trees are used. These are detailed in the literature described, e.g. B. in the following standard work: Sedgewick, Robert: Algorithmen in C, Bonn; Munich; Paris: Addison-Wesley, 1992, Chapter 4.

The table in FIG. 6 contains the same objects as the table in FIG. 4 and contains the additional identifiers according to claim 2.

The use of two other identifiers and their arrangement in the memory block one Object, as set out in claim 2, has the advantage of the invention that the Objects receive two additional features, the deletion of which destroys the object Consequence. The first additional feature can e.g. B. the assignment of the author of the object contain and thus prove like a "brand" the intellectual originator. The second additional characteristic can be for the availability of the object in the physical sense and in the sense an injunction by the copyright owner.

The entry in memory area 11 corresponds to column 11 in FIG. 6, in the case of a base object which is not at the top level, as stated in claim 2, provides redundant information for the entry in memory area 5 , corresponds to column 5 in FIG. 6 To determine the structure of a structure, two different procedures are possible, each of which only requires the information from memory area 5 or that from memory area 11 . If the structure of structures is determined on the basis of incorrect data, or in this case has to be reconstructed, then both procedures can be combined with one another, which significantly increases the probability of a correct reconstruction. From this point of view, the use of this redundant information represents an advantage according to the invention, in particular since the technical outlay for this is low.

The described use of the three identifiers as a composite key enables the Storage of the objects by any number of authors, which can be used for any number of clients Owners of the objects operate in a single table. This will make the practical  Applicability of the invention increases because of the technical requirements for the data storage are low.

The advantages of the embodiments of the invention shown in claims 3 to 5 Invention can be seen in the fact that the memory space which is necessary or additionally used can be optimally used by storing additional features.

The advantages of the embodiments of the invention shown in claims 6 to 8 Invention are to be seen in the fact that in the implementation of the invention to existing ones Standards and operating systems can be used, thereby integrating into existing ones Computer systems is significantly simplified.

Claims (8)

1. Arrangement in a computer system for setting up, managing and using hierarchically organized object structures, characterized by the following features:

• 1. a block with five memory areas is assigned to each object;
• 2. a duplicate-free identifier is assigned to each object;
• 3. Storage area 1 contains the identifier of the object on the top level of the structure that contains this object;
• 4. Storage area 2 contains the identifier of the object;
• 5. Storage area 3 contains the identifier of any object as a reference to the object content or, if reference is made to the own object content, optionally no entry of an identifier;
• 6. Memory areas 4 and 5 contain the following identifiers or identification keys:
  • 1. in a structure, referred to as a base structure, with objects, referred to as base objects, the space within which is determined solely by relationships with other base objects of this structure
  • 2. contains the base object at the top level
  • 3. no entry of an identifier or the identifier of the object to which the entire structure is assigned in memory area 4 ,
  • 4. in memory area 5 an identification key for identification as a base object, which is different from all the identifiers of the objects used,
  • 5. Contains each base object below the top level
  • 6. in memory area 4 the identifier of the base object in the level above,
  • 7. In memory area 5 , if it is in the first position of a group of objects, the common feature of which is that all base objects of the group of objects have the same base object on the higher level, the identifier of the base object in the level above, otherwise the identifier of the base object , which stands in front of the base object in the group of objects,
• 7. in a structure, referred to as an analog structure, the structure of which corresponds to the relationships of the objects it contains, referred to as analog objects, corresponds to the structure of the object relationships of an assigned basic structure, at least the analog object being present on the top level and fewer analog objects in the analog structure than in base objects can exist in the assigned base structure
  • 1. contains memory area 4 for all analog objects the identifier of the base object of the associated base structure, on the location of which the analog object refers,
  • 2. Memory area 5 contains for all analog objects an identification key for identification as an object of an analog structure, which is different from all the identifiers of the objects used.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by the following features:

• 1. an additional block with six memory areas is assigned to each object;
• 2. the identifier of an object receives two additional duplicate-free identifiers, whereby an identification of an object is possible through the composition of the three identifiers;
• 3. a structure contains only objects whose first additional identifier is the same for all objects and whose second additional identifier is the same for all objects;
• 4. Memory area 6 contains four different identification keys for distinguishing between base object and analog object and whether or not reference is made to the object content of another object;
• 5. Storage area 7 contains the first additional identifier of the object;
• 6. Storage area 8 contains the second additional identifier of the object; Memory area 9 contains the first additional identifier of the object, the object content of which is referred to or, if reference is made to the own object content, optionally no entry of an identifier;
• 7. Memory area 10 contains the second additional identifier of the object, the object content of which is referred to or, if reference is made to the own object content, optionally no entry;
• 8. Memory areas 4 , 5 and 11 contain the following identifiers:
  • 1. in a basic structure
  • 2. the base object at the top level in memory area 4 contains no entry of an identifier or the first identifier of the object to which the entire structure is assigned;
  • 3. no entry of an identifier or the second identifier of the object to which the entire structure is assigned in memory area 5 ;
  • 4. no entry of an identifier or the third identifier of the object to which the entire structure is assigned in memory area 11 ;
  • 5. Contains each base object below the top level
  • 6. in memory area 4 the identifier of the base object in the level above;
  • 7. In memory area 5 , if it is in the first position of a group of objects, the common feature of which is that all base objects of the group of objects have the same base object on the higher level, the identifier of the base object in the level above, otherwise the identifier of the base object , which stands in front of the base object in the group of objects;
  • 8. In memory area 11 , if it is in the last position of a group of objects, the common feature of which is that all base objects of the group of objects have the same base object on the higher level, the identifier of the base object in the higher level, otherwise the identifier of the base object , which stands in the group of objects directly behind the base object;
• 9. in an analog structure
  • 1. contains the analog object at the top level
  • 2. in memory area 4 for all analog objects the first identifier of the base object on the top level of the associated base structure;
  • 3. in memory area 5, for all analog objects, the second identifier of the base object on the top level of the associated base structure;
  • 4. in memory area 11 for all analog objects the third identifier of the base object on the top level of the associated base structure;
  • 5. Contains each analog object below the top level
  • 6. In memory area 4, for all analog objects, the first identifier of the base object of the associated base structure, the location of which the analog object refers to;
  • 7. in memory area 5, for all analog objects, the second identifier of the base object of the associated base structure, on the location of which the analog object refers or no entry of an identifier;
  • 8. In the memory area 11 for all analog objects, the third identifier of the base object of the associated base structure, on the location of which the analog object refers or no entry of an identifier.

3. Arrangement according to 1 or 2, characterized by the following features:
an additional memory area is assigned to each object, which contains an identification key which indicates whether the object has valid object relationships or not and whether it can be deleted during the next general deletion process or not. 4. Arrangement according to 1 to 2, characterized by the following feature:
unoccupied memory areas contain any additional information. 5. Arrangement according to 1 to 4, characterized by the following features:

• 1. the identifiers and identification keys are sequences of digits;
• 2. The size of a storage area is fixed and corresponds to the maximum storage space requirement of the most significant sequence of digits used.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the following feature:
the block with all the memory areas of an object is arranged as a row and the blocks with the same memory areas of all objects as columns of a memory with index-sequential access, the identifiers and identification keys being used as keys for different indexing. 7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized by the following feature:
the memory with index sequential access is designed so that standardized methods of index formation and database query techniques can be used for processing. 8. Use of an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the following feature:
Application on a relational database management system.