FR2572818A1 - DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

THE PRESENT INVENTION PROVIDES AN APPARATUS AND A PROCESS FOR DATA STORAGE AND DATA SEARCH, INCLUDING IN PARTICULAR AN OMNIBUS CONDUIT, A MEMORY DEVICE INCLUDING TWO STORAGE DEVICES CONTAINING A LARGE NUMBER OF INSTRUCTIONS, AN OPERATING SYSTEM INTERFACE BETWEEN THEM AND THE REST OF THE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND A DATA ENTRY DEVICE, THE ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING CONTROL COMPONENTS AND CONNECTION COMPONENTS, EACH OF THEM HAVING ONE OR MORE PARAMETER PARAMETERS, THEIR RELATIONSHIPS BEING SUCH AS THE STRUCTURE OF THE OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS IS INDEPENDENT OF THE ORDER OF THE PARAMETERISATION COMPONENTS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING CONNECTION COMPONENTS, AND THEREFORE THE USE OF THE SYSTEM DOES NOT REQUIRE A PARTICULARLY TRAINED OPERATOR.

Description

P KEL 8 / EN | 1 |

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

  The present invention provides a system for treating

  data that can be controlled by instructions

  in a control device, which provides its own

  5. Consequently, the instructions for commentary ex-

  plicative are not necessary. In addition, data processing systems and the like have a large number of data files arranged according to an index. The data files have their data arranged according to particular formats. When new data, such as

  that data relating to the arrangement of the recording

  of a new data file should be added.

  destroyed or destroyed, a system user must not be competent to perform such a task. In such a case, a particularly trained person may be required to modify the system to account for the arrangement of the recording of a new file of

data, for example.

  The data processing system according to the present invention comprises an arrangement of the files which can more legibly allow the addition or the withdrawal or

  another similar thing, data and data files

  born. For this purpose, the data files are defined

recurring way.

  25. Recurrent definition of data files

  means that the raw data files have defini-

  data format provided by the first data

  data definition les. The first files of

  definition are in turn defined by second-

  30. data definition les and so on, as much

as necessary.

  The requirement for later definition files preferably stops when the definition files define themselves. In general, it has been found that only the first and second data definition files are needed to establish complete definitions of all

the data files.

  So, any change to the format of a data file

  can be influenced by the modification of the data 5. contained in a definition file corresponding to the data file. Such a modification could be

  performed by a user of the system.

  The recurrent nature of the file structures also alleviates the need for a system user to be familiar with the format of the data in the data files. When a user accesses a data file, a corresponding definition file provides

  required formatting information to the independent system

the user.

  15. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention

  a data processing system for data storage and data retrieval, comprising a bus line, a control device of the

  omnibus, a memory device, a system of ex-

  20. a central processing unit (CPU) and an input / output device, the bus duct being arranged to provide an electrical connection between the components of the apparatus submitted to the control device of the bus duct and submitted to the operating system, the memory device 25 having a first storage device

  including a large number of instructions for the use of

  in a training donor to direct the

  of the data processing system, and a second storage device containing, in operation, a large number of instructions for use in the instruction giver for directing the operation of the data processing system, the systime operating system providing an interface between the instruction giver as well as the command and order giver and the rest

  35. of the data processing system, the instruc-

  control commands controlling the data processing system under the direction of the instructor, and the input / output device for data input

  in the device and at the output of data outside the device.

  5. control instructions comprising control components and connection components, each of the control components and each of the connection components having one or more parameter components, and connected by means of one or more components of connection, 10. so that the structure of the command instruction is independent of the order of the parameter components and

  their corresponding connection components.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,

  tion, there is provided a method for controlling a data processing system 15. in connection with the storage of

  data collection and search, which includes a

  who introduced a large number of

  control in a second storage device for use in

  in a control instruction donor, in particular

  20. providing a large number of instructions in a first storage device for use in an instruction giver and providing the interface between the command instructor and the instruction giver and the training system. data processing by introducing an operating system, the control instructions comprising control components and connection components, each of the control components and each of the connection components having one or more corresponding parameterization components, the control components controlling the operation of the data processing system subjected to one or more of the parameterizing components related by one or more of the connection components, so that the structure of the control instruction is independent of the order of the components of -14 1

  setting and their corresponding connection components

  dent. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing system 5. for data storage and data retrieval including a bus line, a bus control device, a memory device, an operating system, a central processing unit (CPU) and an input / output device, the bus duct being provided to provide an electrical connection between the components of the apparatus subject to the control device of the bus duct and subject to the operating system, the memory device having a first storage device containing a large number of instructions for use in an instructional donor to direct the operation of the data processing system and a second storage device having, in operation, a large number of control instructions for use in an instruction donor to control the fo operation of the data processing system, the operating system providing an interface between the instruction giver as well as the command and command giver and the rest of the system, the command instruction giver controlling the control system. data processing under the direction of the instruction giver, and the device

  input / output device for entering data into the

  and the output of data out of the device, the memory device also having a third

  storage device containing a large number of

  Data storage devices, said data storage devices including a raw data storage device, a first definition storage device, and a second data definition storage device. 35. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a data processing system relating to data storage and data retrieval, which involves creating a large number of files

  5. Raw data containing raw data in a

  for storing raw data from a data storage device in a third storage device of a memory device of a data processing system, creating a large number of first data definition files. data containing data providing the data definitions in a first data setting storage device of the memory device and

  creating a large number of second definition files

  data containing second data definitions in a second data definition storage device; the raw data in the raw definition storage device having characteristics defined by the first data definition storage device; data in the first data definition storage device having characteristics defined by the second data definition storage device, the data in the second data definition storage device having characteristics defined by themselves, the raw data in the raw data storage device, the data in the first data definition storage device and the data in the second data definition storage device are

essentially independent.

  30. The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus incorporating a data processing system. object of the present invention Fig. 2 is a table showing the interaction of control components and connection components for the instructions to be used in connection with the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figures 3 and 4 are an execution flowchart for the data processing system which is the subject of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a file structure conforming to another aspect of the

present invention.

  10. In Figure 1 is shown an apparatus 10 comprising

  the data processing system which is the subject of the present invention and suitable for incorporating the

  process which is the subject of the present invention.

  The apparatus 10 comprises a central processing unit

  15. (CPU) 12 and a bus line 14.

  The bus line 14 provides an electrical connection

  between a memory device 16, a data input / output (I / O) device 18, a bus driver 20 and an operating system

20. 22.

  The memory device 16 comprises a first disc

  a storage device and a second storage device, each of which has a large number of instructions stored therein temporarily or permanently. The instructions in the first storage device and in the second storage device are respectively intended for use in an instruction provider and a control device of a data processing system which is the object of the present invention. invention as described in the application for 30. patent filed that same day on behalf of the plaintiff

it is mentioned below.

  The command instruction donor is provided to control the data processing system under the

direction of the instruction giver.

  35. The nature of the command prompt and its control on the data processing system may be changed by a user of the data processing system by changing the instructions in the second storage device. The instructions in the first

  5. storage device are instructions for the use of

  in the instruction giver and correspond to control instructions used to direct the command

of the device 10.

  The second storage device comprises a large number of instructions for use in the control instruction donor which relates to the process commands for the instruction giver of the first device.

  storage to control the apparatus 10.

  That is, the instruction giver directs the control command giver, who in turn realizes

the control of the device 10.

  The memory device also includes a third

  storage device with stocks of data

  born in data files. The data files

  20. can be introduced into the apparatus 10 via the system.

  18 input / output I / O. You have to access the files of

  data and they must be processed by the processing system.

  which is the subject of the present invention.

  The large number of control instructions in the second storage device relates to a method of realizing the apparatus and method which is the object of the present invention desired by the user for

  accessing and / or processing data contained in the

memory 9c.

  30. The interface between the instruction giver and

  the ordering order dealer and the rest of the

  10 is realized by the operating systems 22.

  The control instruction giver, performing the interface with the operating system 22, controls the operation of the instruction giver and the remainder of the

  the apparatus 10. The input / output device I / D

  door devices to allow entry and exit

  instructions and data in and out of the device 10.

  More specifically, the I / O input / output device 18

  5. may include video display units,

  electronic mail systems, readers of

  floppy disks, etc. (not shown)

  The data and the control instructions are entered by a user into the unter /

  10. I / O output 18 and directed to the rest of the device 10.

  The passage of data and instruction commands

  tion is directed and commanded back to the apparatus 10 along the bus duct 14 by the control device of the

bus duct 20.

  15. The control device of the bus duct 20 may, for example, give an exclusive use of the bus duct 14 to the input / output device I / O 18, for such exclusive use can be agreed to a floppy disk drive of the device. input / output 18 to enable it to store and / or read data in the memory device 16 under the action of a direct access command to the

memory (DMA) (not shown).

  The operating system 22 is also necessary to provide the interface between the method of the present invention and the rest of the apparatus 1C and a

user of the device 10.

  The operating system 20 further provides changes in the format of the instruction and data suitable for enabling the instructions of the memory device 16 to apply to a variety of CPUs 12, CPUs, input / output I / O 18

  and control devices of the bus duct 20.

  The apparatus and method of the present invention are particularly intended for use with the UNIX operating system developed with the AT and T Bell Laboratories, although they may be

  suitable for use with other operating systems.

  Figure 2 shows an interaction table comprising a large number of instruction components for use in the control instruction donor. Instruction components consist of components of

  control 32 and connection components 34.

  The control components 32 are advantageously referred to as verbs 32. The verbs 32, 10 provide commands for the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 which may include, for example, ADD, ANALYSIS, etc. as shown in Fig. 2. The verbs 32 of Fig. 2 are assigned reference numerals 36 to 56. Connection components 58 are advantageously referred to as conjunctions 58. Conjunctions 58 provide a basis for the format of the instructions to be used in the control instruction giver with the system and method which are the subject of the present invention. Conjunctions 58 may include, for example, THE, BY, FOR 20. etc. as shown in Figure 2 and reference numerals 60 to 76 are assigned to them. The conjunctions 58 describe and specify instructions related to

the device 10.

  The instruction components also include parametric components. Parameter components provide data for control components and connection components. Each of the verbs 32 provides a particular command for the command instruction giver and thus a particular command of the apparatus 30 and may be conditioned by one or more and, in some cases, all the conjunctions 58. In the figure 2, the "X" represent the conjunctions 58 that can not

  condition a particular verb 32.

  The verb 32 of a command instruction is interpreted by the operating system 22 and command I o1 then a predefined action, in agreement with the instruction giver, to be performed by the apparatus 10. The predefined actions to take in relation to verbs 32 are

  defined by the instruction giver.

  5. The verb 32 to which it refers as to ADD 36,

  provides a command to the apparatus 10 to add new

  data in a specified data file of the third storage device subject to the conditions specified and described by the conjunctions 58. When the 10. data is displayed in a FORM, new data

  can be added to the apparatus 10 via the specific FORM

  fied. In this case, the user can input data via a video display unit of the input device /

  I / O data output 18 in the memory device 16.

  15. As shown in Figure 2, ADD 36 can not

  not be conditioned by BY 62 or FOR 64 conjunctions.

  A command instruction including the ADD command 36 may be conditioned by any one or more of the remaining 58 conjunctions taken in

20. any order.

  The verb 32 ANALYSIS 38 provides a command to the apparatus 10 for statistically analyzing data for a specified data file and reporting the results of the analysis. A command instruction including the ANALYZES command 38 may be conditioned by any one or more of the conjunctions 58 arranged in

any order.

  The verb 32 BAR 40 provides a command to the apparatus, interpreted by the operating systems 22 to 30. represent the existing data of a data file

  specified in the format of a line graph.

  A command instruction including the BAR command 40 may be conditioned by any one or more of the conjunctions 58 arranged in any

35. order.

7 2 8 1 8

  The verb 32 CULL 41 provides a command to the

  10 to remove data from a specified data file where the data has been marked for removal by the DELETE command 42 as described hereinafter. The command 5. CULL 41 is intended to update existing data files by the removal of marked data for the removal. A command statement with the command CULL 41 can be conditioned by all conjunctions

  10. 58, with the exception of the conjunctions BY 62, USING 68 and TO 74.

  The verb 32 DELETE 42 provides a command to the

  same to mark data to be removed from specified data related to the CULL command file 41. In a manner that will be preferred, DELETE 42 also sends, 15. a copy of the destroyed information to a data file. or to a chosen device. An instruction from

  command with the DELETE command 42 can be

  by any or all of the conjunctions

  58 taken in any order.

  20. The verb 32 EDIT 44 provides a command to the

  10 to modify existing data in a file

  specified data of the memory device 16 in a

  matte specified. Where the data is displayed in a FORM the specified format is the FORM. A command instruction 25. having the EDIT command 44 may be conditioned by

  any one or more conjunctions 58.

  The verb 32 LINE 46 provides a command to the

  reel 10 to represent existing data for a

  specified data file in a linear graphic format

  30. area. A command statement with the command LINE 46 may be conditioned by any or

several of the conjunctions 58.

  The verb 32 MENU 48 provides a command to the apparatus 10 for displaying a specified data file 35 in a menu format and allows the system operator to select one or more entities from the

  list menu. The command MENU 48 brings the instruc-

  to make the data of a specified data file

  available to the user in a desired format. -

  5. Verb 32 PIE 50 provides a command to the device to represent existing data from a specified data file in a pie (pie) graphic format. The graphic format "pie" can be a round or square chart

  according to the possibilities of the characteristics of the unit of

  10. Video recording of the I / O input / output device 18. For video display units without the possibility of graphics

  adapted, the graph "pie" is represented as a graphi-

  PERCENT in the form of a horizontal linear graph

  tal. A command statement with the PIE command

  15. 50 may be conditioned by any one or more

  Conjunction 58. Verb 32 PRINT 52 provides a command to the apparatus 10 for printing a specified data file in a pre-described manner for the desired data in a specified format for a desired purpose. An instruction

  20. The order number PRINT 52 can be

  by any or all of the conjunctions 58. Verb 32 TOTAL 56 provides a command to the device for full information for file data.

  specified in a desired format.

  25. The conditioning provided by each of the conjunc-

58 is described below.

  The conjunction 58 THE 60 describes the data file

  from the memory device 16 on which the verbs 32

have to act.

  30. For example, the command statement: EDIT THE DEBTORS (Edit Debtors)

  makes an EDIT command 44 on a data file called

  DEBTORS (debtors) o DEBTORS is the name of the file.

  Here, DEBTORS is a parameter component of the instruction

  35. Order order. The ability of a file name to identi-

  13th proud a corresponding file for device and process

  which are the subject of the present invention is described below.

  after. The conjunction 58 BY 62 specifies an index of the fields 5. which represents a specified data file on which it is necessary to act by a verb of an instruction. For example, the command statement: EDIT THE DEBTORS BY NAME 10. Performs an EDIT command 44 on a data file called DEBTORS for an index called DEBTORS. NAME (name of the debtors). An index, such as DEBTORS. NAME, is a cross-reference to provide a list of receivables that can be accessed by calling a name from the list, such as SMITH, for example. The conjugation 58 FOR 64 specifies a range of references for a specified data file of the memory device 16 on which a verb 32 must act. The range or list of references may consist of members of a physical record or key fields if an index is

  chosen using the BY conjunction. For example, the

struction:

  EDIT THE DEBTORS BY NAME FOR CITIZEN, JONES-SMITH

  (Edit the debtors by name for Citizen, Jones-

25. Smith)

  makes an EDIT command 44 on a data file called

  l1 DEBTORS for an index of Jones's range names to

Smith and including Citizen.

  The conjunction 58 IF 66 specifies a condition that must be met before a verb is allowed.

  32 to continue execution for a particular data file.

  cifié. The condition can be an arithmetic expression to be evaluated by the CPU 12 CPU for the

  what a real value is returned.

  35. The conditions include operands such as "=",

25728 18

  11.41 n + H the l #, I, "" <t, and similar, for example, the statement:

  EDIT THE DEBTORS IF DEBTOR: AMOUNT> $ 200.00

  (Edit receivables if debtor: amount> $ 200.00) 5. makes an EDIT 44 command on the DEBTORS files but only for DEBTORS with a debit value that

exceeds $ 200.00.

  In a preferred manner, the operands must include brackets or parentheses, stored in files, so that multiple expression conditions can be generated. It is envisaged that the conditions will be able to include operators of

  data such as DAY (day), MONTH (month), IN DAYS (in ..

  days), IN WEEKS (in .. weeks), so that

  15. The action of a verb 32 may be dependent on the date.

  The conjunction 58 USING 68 specifies a desired format to use for displaying and accessing data of a specified data file. The format can also be specified as a FORM, as described below, and must be

  20. Access by adding an appropriate form name.

For example, the instruction:

  EDIT THE DEBTORS USING TRIAL-BALANCE

  (Edit the receivables using a trial balance) 25. makes an EDIT 44 command using a FORM (e) whose

  format is defined in the TRIAL-BALANCE file.

  The conjunction 58 USING 68 may also be spe-

  cified with a field of a current data file. By

example:

30. USING DEBTORS: DATE

  (using the receivables: date) causes a command that must be accomplished using the date (extracted from a data file) to which a

result is extracted.

  35. The conjunction 58 AT 70 specifies a position on

25728-18 a video display unit or a printer or other terminal

  similar on which a window containing the results of the action of a verb 32 must appear. For example, the instruction:

  5. EDIT THE DEBTORS BY NAME AT 1,1,12,20

  (Editing debtors by name between 1.1 and 12.20) makes an EDIT 44 command on a file called DEBTORS according to the names of the debtors and prints the results in a window of the video display unit or 1 '10. printer 12 lines high and 20 lines wide. The coordinates of the window are specified by the line and column of the leftmost point and the highest followed by

  a low point and a rightmost one.

  However, it must be understood that each set of coordinates defining a window can be used.

  The conjunction 58 WHEN 72 is similar to the con-

  IF connector 66. However, the WHEN conjunction 72 specifies a condition that must be met before a verb 32.20 is executed. That is, for the conjunction WHEN 72, the parameter component is evaluated before the verb 32 is executed and the verb 32 is executed only if the conditions specified by the parameter component are met.

  25. Conjunction 58 TO 74 describes a list of

  users, files or users to whom the results

  of an instruction must be sent.

For example, the instruction:

  EDIT THE DEBTORS IF DEBT: AMOUNT 7 $ 200.00 TO

30. PRINTER 1, INVOICE NO

  (Edit publishers if their debt: amount> $ 200.00 to printer 1, no bill)

  makes an EDIT 44 command on the DEBTORS file of the third

  sth storage device for unpaid accounts which exceed $ 200.00 and whose results are sent to a printer called PRINTER 1 and a file called

INVOICE.NO.

* The conjunction TO 74 can also specify a list

  video display units, printer, files used

  5. Readers or similar components of the apparatus 10 to which the results of the command of a verb 32 are to be sent. The conjunction TO 74 could also specify

  an email list.

  The conjunction 58 WITH 76 describes options for using

  10. to relate in relation to a verb 32. For example, the

struction:

  EDIT THE DEBTORS BY NAME WITH COLUMNS

  (Edit debtors by their name in columns) makes an EDIT command 44 for the DEBTORS file by the 15 names of the debtors and prints the results in a format in columns. Additional options provided by WITH 76 also include sorting, counting, averaging, interval, standard deviation,

  percentage of the dispersion, validate each record

  20. no border, no display, no header, no

downtime, and so on.

  The sorting option causes the sorting of the results and, in particular, calls the verbs 32 BAR 40 and PRINT 52. The statistical options counting, mean, median, interval, 25. standard deviation and percentage call in particular the verb 32 ANALYSIS 38 The spreadsheet option prints the results of a verb 32 in a tabular format. The validate each record option is used in connection with CULL 41 and DELETE 42 and asks a user whether or not the present data is to be destroyed before allowing the data to be erased from the memory device 16. The options border, no display, no header and no downtime all relate to the output of the

  data to a video display unit or printer.

  35. When the verb 32 is defined with less than all of its conjunctions 58 valid default arguments are provided for these conjunctions 58

  not specified in the ordering instructions. For example

  If the conjunction 58 AT 70 is not used for a verb 32, it is assigned to the instruction a destination by

  AT 70, which can be 1, 1, 24, 80 (which is the uni-

full video display tee).

  The commands also include a large number of pseudo-verbs. The pseudo-verbs provide 10. commands that are used in connection with the device and

  the process which is the subject of the present invention.

  The pseudo-verbs include a RUN command that

  amine the instruction giver to perform specific storage

  instructions, such as a large number of instructions, in the second storage device. RUN assumes that the instruction stock is stored in accordance with the apparatus and method which are the subject of the present invention and are presented as described in the patent application filed that same day entitled "Processing System 20". data ". For example, the instruction given by a user:

RUN ALFRED

  command to the command order donor to execute the storage of instructions called ALFRED in agreement the donor

25. Instruction.

  RUN can be conditioned by the conjunctions 58 IF 66 and WHEN 72. The o the stock of instructions has a name that is not a verb 32 or a pseudoverb, the execution can be started by entering only the name. For example, 30. ALFRED can be executed by entering ALFRED in a key array of the I / O input / output device 18, whereas a command stock called EDIT would need to be executed by introducing RUN EDIT. RUN causes the operating system 22 to interface with the instruction giver 35. as well as the control instruction giver and causes the remaining 181 of the apparatus 10 to execute the instructions indicated in the second device. storage. Pseudoverbs

  also include a command to allow the use of

  operating system commands 22 under the

  5. control of the control instruction donor.

  For example, when the operating system incorporates the UNIX operating system, a user may expect the UNIX pseudo-verb followed by a UNIX command that is required for use with

10. Instruction.

  The pseudo-verbs also include a CD command to change the control of the apparatus from an index of the memory device 16 to an alternate index under the operating system 22. The CD command can not be

  15. subject to any conjunctions.

  Pseudo verbs also include a command

  DO which provides the facility of performing an arithmetic function

  tick or a parenthesis and stores the results. The DO command can be conditioned by the IF conjunctions

20. 66, WHEN 72, AT 70 and WITH 76.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show a flowchart of the method which is the subject of the present invention, comprising operational blocks having reference numbers from 100 to 148. The execution is carried out through

  25. The organization chart under the direction of the instruc-

tions.

  The operation block 100 brings the operating system

  22 to initialize the apparatus 10 to provide the

  face with the instructing donor as well as the donor

30. Order instruction.

  The block 100 also loads into the memory device 16 the verbs 32 and the conjunctions 58. The block 100 also allows an operator to manually enter the verbs 32 and the conjunctions 58 into the memory device 16. The verbs 32 and conjunctions 58 can

  therefore be cut for the purposes of the user.

  For example, a non-English-speaking user can redefine verb 32 and conjunctions 58 in his

  mother tongue as he wishes.

  5. Once initialization is complete, block 102 performs a comparison check to determine how the method which is the subject of the present invention is used. If the method is used as a subroutine, the command is passed to block 104. Block 10. 104 loads, in memory device 16, parameters and arguments with which to invoke the subroutine

  is made. If the process is not used as a sub-

  routine, the command is passed from block 102 to block 106. Block 106 allows instructions with verbs 15, 32 and conjunctions 58 and parax.utrage components to be entered into memory 16 from the input device. / I / O output 18 along the bus duct 14 under the control of the control device of the bus duct and of

  the CPU 12 CPU.

  20. The format of the instructions is as described above and the arrangement of the instructions is as described in the patent application filed that same day. The block 106 allows, in a manner that will be preferred, the verbs 32 to be composed so that there o one or more consecutive instructions of the same series level nested within the same series euboStée d ' instructions (as described in the patent application

  same day) relate to conjunc-

  30. 58 identical and parameter components, the verbs 32 can be composed by the user in a single instruction. For example, the instructions:

  MENU THE DEBTORS BY NAME (display the

  35. LINE THE DEBTORS BY NAME (line up debtors by name PRINT THE DEBTORS BY NAME) can be dialed by the user as follows: 5. MENU, LINE, PRINT THE DEBTORS BY NAME (display menu, align, print receivables by name) Instructions should be composed by a

  system user before entering the system.

  input / output I / O 18. The instructions entered in

  10. The memory device 16 via the blocks 104 and 106 represents

  feel a table of instructions to which we refer from

  correct way as to an array of text.

  Block 108 operates on the text table to expand compound statements and creates a corresponding expanded text table. If there are no compound instructions, the block 108 amines the apparatus 10 not to realize

  operation on the text table.

  As described in the patent application filed the same day above, the expanded text table can include 20. nestings that define instructions taken or taking nested serial (which is referred to as lines verbs). A verb line takes in nested series a next verb line if the next verb line is nested by one or more spaces to the right, by 25. ratio to the beginning of the verb line taking nested serial. The part of the flow chart that is the subject of the present invention shown in Fig. 4 interprets the contents of the expanded text table and prompts the apparatus 10 to 30 to call out a chart of pointers to which reference is made

  as advantageous as a raised chart.

  - The raised table has a large number of pointers assigned to each verb line of the expanded text table. The pointers represent the location and the characteristics of verbs 32, conjunctions 58 and

  Parameter components of the verb line.

  The block 110 amines the apparatus 10 to interpret the number of spaces through which a verb line is nested and between a corresponding number in the raised table 5. (as described in the patent application filed this same

  aforementioned day "Data Processing Device".

  Block 112 causes the apparatus 10 to determine which conjunctions 58 have been used in the verb line. The block 102 also amines the apparatus 10 to be checked that the parameterizing components used are valid and exist. If an invalid parameter component is detected, the block 112 amines the apparatus 10 to give a

corresponding error message.

  Once the arguments of the conjunctions 58 have been validated, the apparatus 10 stores, in the table recorded in the memory 16, a new corresponding set of pointers. Block 114 determines a set of pointers for each verb line relating the position of a current verb line compared to surrounding verbs. There are four similar pointers, which are advantageously referred to as IN, FORWARD, OUT and BACK. The pointers are described in the

  25. patent application filed on the same day.

  Block 116 determines which verb 32 is provided in a current verb line and stores

  a corresponding entry in the table.

  Blocks 118 to 134 interpret the 30 component of each of the conjunctions 58 and

  the corresponding pointers in the table raised.

  Blocks 118 to 134 respectfully interpret the conjunctions THE 60, BY 62, FOR 64, IF 66,

  USING 68, AT 70, WHEN 72, TO 74 and WITH 76.

35. For example, for the instruction

EDIT THE DEBTORS

  (edit receivables) block 118 determines the name of the current file to which DEBTORS refers. Then, the block 118 operates a control 5. by comparing an index of all the files associated with the DEBTORS file and places a pointer on a file called schema file associated with the DEBTORS file as described below. The pointer is entered in the table

  statement for the current verb line.

  10. The schema file provides definitions for all

  the records kept in a data file cor-

  sponding. That is, the records of a data file are defined by a definition file called a schema file that is otherwise independent of the

15. data file.

  When the process is entered via block 104, blocks 110 to 134 interpret the expanded text table as

  whole in one step and create the raised chart.

  When the method is entered via the block 1C6, the blocks 110 to 134 interpret a simple verb line and create pointers corresponding to this verb line and store the pointers in the table recorded in the memory 16. If any errors are detected by the

  block 140, an appropriate error message is sent to the

  25. User's minal under the command of block 142.

  If there are no errors detected by blocks 110 to 134, block 140 passes control to block 144. Block 144 provides an exit path out of the process where the method is entered via block 104 as a subtroutine 30. to a subsequent process. The exit out of the process can be

go to block 146.

  Block 146 clears all temporary data, temporary files, and the like, before the

output is performed.

  35. When the pointers have been entered in the raised array, the block 147 causes the CPU 12 CPU and the operating system 22 to execute the verb line created by the block 108. When a single verb line

  was executed by block 137, block 148 allows the introduction

  5. duction of a new verb line.

  Block 148 also provides a control path for the apparatus 10 and method that is the subject of the present invention for expanding the new verb line via block 108. Interpretation and execution take place

10. as described above.

  When the blocks 110 to 134 detect errors, the block 140 brings the command to the block 142. The block 142 generates an appropriate error message to be displayed for the user. Block 142 then passes the command to the block

  15. 148 which prompts the user to correct the error.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a file arrangement conforming to another aspect of the

  present invention. This file layout is required

  to store data and then search for it.

  20. Traditionally, data files have been structurally

  As shown in region 150 of FIG. 5, in the traditional arrangement of the data files, a JOB 150a such as a JOB 1 includes a large number of data files. The data files include a file index 150b, 150c data files, and 150d index files all stored in the memory device 16. The index files 150d correspond to the index

  150b files and 150c data files.

  File index 150b has a list of 30. all files associated with JOB 150a. The contents of the index are updated by the operating system 22, while the job files are destroyed or new

  created files and the CULL 41 command executed.

  The data files 150c include data associated with JOB 150a. For example, JOB 1 may have data files called DEBTORS (debtors), INVOICE

(invoice) and DATES.

  The index files 150d provide cross reference lists for the data files. Cross-reference lists 5. help in storing and retrieving data. A 150d index file called DEBTORS.NAME (accounts receivable name) provides a cross-reference for the file

  entitled DEBTORS by the name of the debtor. Thus, a user

  The system of the present invention can access data from a data file 150c in the order of one or more of a large number of data fields.

  file defined by 150d index files.

  That is, data can be added or removed from the DEBTORS file by specifying the name of the debtor. Once the name of the debtor is specified, the

  corresponding index file DEBTORS.NAME provides the reference

  Cross-talk required - to locate the information

  on the debtor outside the DEBTORS file.

  The remaining index files 150d can be

  20. INVOICES.NO. (bills.no), INVOICES.AMOUNT (invoices.

amount) & DATES.NAME (dates.name).

  The present invention requires subsequent file arrangements with first data definition files 152a for the 150c25 data files of JOB 150a. For example, in Fig. 5, the first data definition files 152a shown in region 152 are DEBTORS, INVOICES, and corresponding DATES.

to 150c data files.

  Each of the definition files 152a includes a file index 152a, data files 152c and

152d index files.

  The names of the data files 152c within the definition files 152a are identical for each definition file. That is, all the definition files 152a preferably include the same file names. For the definition file 152a called DEBTORS, a file index called FILES (files) gives an index of all the files for this definition file as 5. described above. The data definition files 152a comprise data files 152c called SCHEMA, MASTER, FORMS, and INDEXES. These data files 152c contain data defining the format and characteristics of data in the data files

10. 150c.

  The data file 152c called SCHEMA defines the format and characteristics of the data stored in the

  150c data file called DEBTORS in JOB 150.

  That is, the DEBTORS data file 15Oc in 15. JOB 1 has a data format specified by the data file 152c SCHEMA of the definition file 152c called DEBTORS. Thus, in use, the data can be accessed from the DEBTORS data file 150c and the format and characteristics of these data are 20. specified by the data file 152c SCHEMA of the DEBTORS definition file 150a. That is, the system user can access data from the 150c data files without needing to know the format of the data.

those data.

  25. When the conjunction 58 THE 60 is used, a SCHEMA file corresponding to the argument of THE 60 defines

  the structure of this file. For example, in the

  EDIT THE DEBTORS 30. used for JOB 1 in the method that is the subject of the present invention, the data format in the data file 150c DEBTORS in JOB 1 is specified by the data file 152c SCHEMA in the definition file 152a

called DEBTORS.

  35. Similarly, the data file 152c called MASTER

  specifies the names of the shapes to be used in relation to

  with the data in the data files 150c.

  The forms are defined by the 152c call & FORMS data file. When the conjunction 58 USING 68 5. appears in a verb line as described above, the 152c data files MASTER or FORMS of the data definition files 152a define the forms to be used by the apparatus 10. For example, in the instruction: EDIT THE DEBTORS USING TRIAL BALANCE (edit the 10. receivables using a trial balance) used for JOB 1, the TRIAL BALANCE form would be defined in the 152c FORMS data files and listed in the 152c MASTER data files. definition files in the memory device 16. The data file 152c 15. called INDEXES is intended to define an index of files

  152d index for the 152c data file.

  Each of the data files 152c of the definition files 152a has a corresponding index file 152d. The data files 152c should have index files 20. 152d called FILES.INDEX, SCHEMA.INDEX, MASTER.INDEX, FORMS.INDEX, and INDEXES.INDEX. The 152d index files

  provide a cross reference for the data to the

152c data files.

  The file INDEXES 152c in the definition files

  25. 152a defines the nature of the data in 150d index files of a JOB and is called by conjunctor. 58 BY 62. For example, in the statement: EDIT THE DEBTORS BY NAME 30. used for JOB 1, the index file 152d DEBTORS.NAME is defined by the data file 152c INDEXES in the file definition 152a DEBTORS. The files in the

  region 150 are raw data and indexes.

  The files in region 152 are themselves 35 data and indexes. In addition, the files in region 152 treat the region 150 files as data. That is, files in region 152 define data in region 150. There is a first data definition file 152a for each

5. 150c data file.

  Region 152 files are later treated as data by region files

  154. Region 154 includes second file definition files

  generation of data 154a for the definition files of the

10. region 152.

  The second data definition files 154a include the same types of files as the first definition files 152a. The second definition files 154a correspond to the data files 152c

  15. first data definition files 152a.

  The second data definition files 154a include a file index 154b called FILES, data files called SCHEMA, MASTER, FORMS, and INDEXES and corresponding index files 154d as described above for the first definition files.

152a.

  The data file 154c SCHEMA- includes a SCHEMA file that specifies the data format for the SCHEMA files in the first 25 data definition files 152a which, in turn, specify the data format for the raw data files. inside of

JOB 150a.

  So, there is a recurring nature for the file structure. The recurrent nature of the file structure provides a means by which the definition of data in a data file (such as format definitions) can be legibly described by specifying the first data definition files 152a or the second data definition files 154a, like that 35. may be the case, with the same name as the data file c. In the method which is the object of the present invention, the operations performed by the apparatus 10 on a data file of a JOB under the direction of the instruction donor are automatically directed to search for the corresponding definition file. to obtain definitions for the data stored in the data file. Therefore, a user of the apparatus and method that is the subject of the present invention can access and process data from data files without needing

  specify the format or characteristics of the data.

  The third storage device of the memory device 16 comprises a raw data storage device containing raw data files 150Sa, a first data definition device containing the data files.

  first definition files 152a, and a second one

  The data definition system contains the second definition files 154a. The second data definition device provides the definition for the second data definition files 154a. The definition of the data in the second data definition files 154a also has a predetermined format provided by the instruction giver. It is intended that the second data definition files can not be modified by a

25. user of the system.

  The first data definition files 152a are created by a user of the system in accordance with the second data definition files 154a and the instruction giver. 30. The first data definition files 152a are created by first generating the index of the files 152b called FILES representative of the files stored in the definition files 152. Then, the data files 152c called SCHEMA, MASTER, FORMS, and INDEXES are created, 35. by respectively containing representative data of

257 2 8 1 8

  definitions of the characteristics of the data files, the formats in which the data in the data files can be displayed and the index of available indexes for

5. data files 152b.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to two recursive provisions of the definition files, it should be understood that

  more or less recurring can be used.

  10. In our patent application filed the same day above, a data processing system for storing and retrieving data including a central processing unit, a memory device, a device 15, is described and claimed. an input / output and an operating system connected by a bus duct under the control of a bus control device, the storage device having a first storage device comprising a large number of instructions for use in a bus. instructional donor for directing the operation of the data processing system and a second storage device having, in operation, a large number of control instructions for use in a control command donor, the control system, 25. providing the interface between the instruction giver as well as the command and order giver and the rest

  of the data processing system, the instruc-

  control commands for controlling the data processing system under the direction of the instructor, and

  30. the training giver generating and assigning

  to each of the instructions in the instruc-

  the pointers are representative of the location of the preceding and following instructions o the pointers

  have a first pointer representative of the localization

  35. the following instruction which is taken in series embo -

  tee with the current instruction, a second pointer represents

  of the location of the next instruction which is within an instruction level and at the same nested series level as the current instruction, a third pointer representative of the location of the first instruction.

  previous instruction which takes in series nested the ins-

  truction in progress and a fourth pointer representative of the location of the preceding instruction which is at the same level of series embottée and within a same 10. nested series of instructions that the current instruction, the system can be controlled manually by means of a

  manual control device and / or controlled automatic-

  only by means of an automatic control device.

  The entire contents of this patent application filed on the same day must be considered as

  incorporated in the present description.

  Modifications and variations as they would appear to a Concerned and trained person are

  considered part of the scope of the application

  20. cability of the present invention. For example, we can refer to verbs 32, conjunctions 58 and files by words other than those mentioned above, for example

  could refer to the SCHEMA files as

  CONTENT les, MASTER files as 25. FORM files and FORM files as LAYOUT files. Of

  other verbs 32 could be used, for example

  EXTEND, CHANGE and READ verbs similar to verbs 32 ADP 36, EDIT 44 and PRINT 52 but not causing a

  output to the inlet / outlet device S. Similarly, from

  30. Very conjunctions 58 could be used, for example the FROM and THEN conjunctions to condition verbs 32 to a source and to provide a conditional response, respectively. In addition, verbs 32 providing graphical functions could be used. Also in addition, 3 I verbs 32 providing a program evaluation and review techniques (PERT) such as to plan a

project could be used.

  Still further, the apparatus 10 could be adapted to hold a third storage device data store corresponding to frequently used information, such as text used in standard type letters, which data could be defined by one of the data files 1-52c FORMS to 10. be output in a format similar to that of a conventional letter.

Claims (21)

  A data processing system for data storage and data retrieval, characterized in that it comprises a bus line, a control device of the bus line, a memory device, an operating system, a central processing unit (CPU) and an input / output device, the bus duct being provided to provide an electrical connection between the components of the apparatus subject to the control device of the bus duct 10. and subject to the system of operation, the memory device comprising a first storage device containing a large number of instructions for use in an instruction donor to direct the operation of the data processing system and a second storage device comprising operation, a large number of control instructions for use in a control instruction giver to control the operation of the processing system of The operating system provides an interface between the instructional donor and the control instruction donor and the remainder of the data processing system, the command instruction donor controlling the processing system. data under the direction of the instruction giver, and the input / output device for 25 entering data into the apparatus and outputting data out of the apparatus, the command instruction giver comprising control components and connection components, each of the control components and each of the connection components having one or more   30. Parameterizing components, the control components   operation of the apparatus subject to one or more   any parameter components by means of one or more connection components, so that the structure of the control instruction is independent of the order of the parametrization components and their components. corresponding connection.   2. Data storage system in accordance with the   1, characterized in that the instruc-   in operation, generates and stores in the   5. A memory pointer for each of the control components, connection components, and components of   setting in a command statement, for the use   In the control instruction donor, the pointers are representative of the characteristics and location of the control components, connection components, and parameter components, the instruction provider then executing the components in a predetermined order. . 3. Method for controlling a data processing system 15. related to the data storage and the data search, characterized in that it comprises a   user entering a large number of commons instructions   in a second storage device for use   in a control instruction donor, by introducing   20. a large number of instructions in a first   storage for use in a donor   truction and by providing the interface between the donor of   control and the training provider and the rest of the data processing system by introducing a   25. Operating system, the control instructions include   components and components of the con-   each of the control components and each of the connection components having one or more components of   setting, the control components controlling the function   30. processing of the data processing system subject to one or more parameter components connected by one or more of the connection components, such that   that the structure of the command instruction is independent   of the order of the parameterization components and their   35. corresponding connection components.   A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the instruction giver generates and stores a pointer for each of the control components, connection components, and parameer components. pointers being representative of the characteristics and location of the control components, connection components and parameter components, the instruction giver   then running the components in a pre-determined order.   10. 5. Data processing system for storing and retrieving data characterized in that it comprises a   omnibus duct, a control device of the omni   nibus, a memory device, an operating system, a central processing unit (CPU) and an input / output device 15. the bus duct being arranged to provide an electrical connection between the components of the subject apparatus to the bus control device and subject to the operating system, the memory device comprising a first storage device 20. having a large number of instructions for use in an instruction giver to direct the operation of the system of data processing and a second storage device containing, in operation, a large number of   control instructions for use in a data   25. control command neur to control the operation-   the data processing system, the system of ex-   operation providing an interface between the donor of   truction as well as the command instruction giver and the rest of the system, the command instruction giver 30. controlling the data processing system under the   direction of the investigating donor, and the   The output device for inputting data into the apparatus and for outputting data from the apparatus, the memory device also having a third storage device containing a large number of storage devices. 72818 8   storing data, data storage devices including raw data storage devices, a first data storage device and   a second storage-data definition device.   5. 6. Data processing system according to claim 5, characterized in that the device for   raw data storage, the first storage device   The data definition package and the second data definition storage device each comprise a large number of data files and index files, the index files providing the indexes for data in the data files, the first device of the data definition file. data definition storage providing means for defining the raw data characteristics in the raw data storage device, the second data definition storage device providing means for defining the characteristics of the data in the first device   data definition storage and means for de-   terminate its own data, where the data in the raw data storage device 20, the first data definition storage device and the second data definition storage device are substantially independent. 7. Data processing system according to the   25. Claim 6, characterized in that a device is   to ensure that, in operation, the ordering instruction provider can be informed of the data definition   in one of the data storage devices by the provision   data storage system that defines such data.   30. 8. Compliant data processing system. not im-   which of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that   that the first data definition storage device   The second data storage device provides means for storing data in a predetermined format, the second data storage device in accordance with the definitions provided by the data storage device.   second data definition storage device.   10. Data processing system according to the   claim 6 to 7, characterized in that the first   5. The data definition storage system and the second   Positive data definition storage includes means for representing all the data stores therein, means for representing the indexes of data stores, means for defining the characteristics of the data stores, and means for represent formats   in which the data can be displayed in the tif input / output.   11. A method for controlling a data processing system relating to data storage and search, characterized in that it involves creating a large number of raw data files containing data. in a raw data storage device of a data storage device of a memory device, creating a large number of first 20 data definition files containing data providing the first data definitions in a first data storage storage device of the memory device and the creation of a large number of second data definition files 25. containing second data definitions in a second data definition storage device, the raw data in the raw data definition storage device having characteristics defined by the first data storage device s, the data in the first definition storage device having characteristics defined by the second data definition storage device, the data in the second data storage definition device having characteristics defined by themselves, the raw data in the raw data storage device, the data in the first data definition storage device and the data in the second data definition storage device are essentially independent.   Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises shaping the definition of the data in one of the data storage devices in accordance with the present invention.   interrogating the data storage device that de- finish such data.   Process according to claim 11 or 12,   characterized in that it comprises predefining and generating   second data definition files in the second data definition device by the instruction giver, and to bring a user of the data   15. Data processing to create the first configuration files   nition of data in the first storage device of   definition of data and / or to bring a large number of   tructions to create the first data definition files. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises generating and storing data in a first data storage device in accordance with the definitions provided in the second data storage device.   data definition storage.   25. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises generating, for the first data definition storage device and the second data definition storage device, a data file representative of the files. data stored therein, a data file 30 representative of the indexes of the data files therein.   stored, a data file to define the characteristics   data files stored there and means for representing the formats in which the data in the data files can be displayed on a device   35. input of the data processing device.