JP2004164463A - Method for automatically constructing database system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically generate a database system for storing and managing information. <P>SOLUTION: The method for automatically constructing the database system is constituted of a construction GUI tool, an automatic program generation tool and an automatic construction tool to automatically generate database structure from basic models. Also a program for a user interface is automatically generated. Consequently also a database system having operation flows such as examination/approval for data registration and the setting of access right can be simply constructed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automatic generation of programs and scripts required for constructing a database system for storing and managing information, and to automatic construction of a database system using the programs and scripts.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, storing and managing various information using a database has been performed normally. The use of a database not only facilitates management and maintenance of information, but also enables efficient search of information.
[0003]
In constructing such a database system, the type of information to be stored, the type of attribute information to be added to the information and stored, the search items to be used for the search, and the requirements such as business flow are analyzed, and the physical structure of the database and the user are analyzed. Designing and developing interfaces. Alternatively, the user customizes and uses package software that is close to the intended business flow.
[0004]
As a technique for constructing a database system, there is an automatic program generation method described in JP-A-11-102293. This technology is a technology capable of constructing a distributed three-layer system. By automatically generating an interface between each layer, it is possible to prevent program defects from being mixed and reduce the number of development steps.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Even for a database system in a commonly used business flow, the number of man-hours required by engineers in the specialized fields of design and development is required due to differences in the type of information to be stored and the attribute information, and a period of time until construction is required It becomes.
[0006]
When customizing package software, not only is a customization period required, but also if the original package software has functions that are not used, the system becomes redundant.
[0007]
Further, in a database designed individually, it is difficult to standardize the physical structure of the database and unify the user interface, and it is difficult to divert a newly added function to another database system.
[0008]
The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-102293 focuses on automatic generation of a program for constructing a distributed three-layer system, and does not cover up to database construction. No solution has been made to the handling of business flows. Furthermore, it does not include measures for standardizing the internal structure of the database.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a standard database structure that can realize a business flow such as examination / approval and access right setting is provided, and information to be stored and attribute information are given as parameters, thereby automatically constructing a target database system. To do.
[0010]
The constructed database is composed of a database physical structure, a database API, and a user interface unit, and can be immediately operated.
[0011]
If examination / approval is not required, no table or user interface for that function is generated. When the setting of the access right is not required, a table and a user interface related to the function are not generated. As a result, a system with little redundancy can be constructed.
[0012]
When a new function is added to a database system already created by this system, the function is easy to port to another database system because the physical structure and API of the database are standardized. Further, it is easy to extend the database including the function so that the database can be automatically constructed.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration for performing automatic database construction according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a construction GUI tool 101, a program automatic generation tool 103, and an automatic construction tool 108, and the program automatic generation tool and the automatic construction tool are activated by a user operation on the construction GUI tool. .
[0014]
The construction GUI tool edits the type of information to be stored and attribute information, and saves the result as definition information 102. This can also save definition information that is being created.
[0015]
The program automatic generation tool reads definition information, creates a relational database table, creates a database definition description 104, creates an interface between the database and a user interface program, creates an API procedure definition description 105, and searches database information. For example, an API view description 106 for generating a view used for, for example, and a program 107 for realizing a user interface are automatically generated.
[0016]
The automatic construction tool generates a database from the definition description output by the automatic program generation tool. If necessary, the user interface program is converted into an executable module.
[0017]
(Example)
FIG. 2 shows a basic template of the database structure used in the embodiment of the present invention. User information is stored in the USERS table 201.
[0018]
In this embodiment, there is a CATEGORIES table 202 for managing information items so that a plurality of types of information can be managed on the same database system. The information in this table is set when the database system is constructed, and is not changed during normal system operation.
[0019]
Information for each stored data is stored in the INDEXES table 205. The INDEXES table has a reference to the CATEGORIES table, so that it is possible to determine which category of computerization. It also holds status information for managing the examination / approval flow.
[0020]
The ATTRIBUTES table 207 is a table that holds attribute information, and is generated by the number of categories. The information in the INDEX table is made to correspond one-to-one with the information in the ATTRIBUTE table determined by the category. The ATTRIBUTE table name is information as to which ATTRIBUTE table is searched at the time of search or attribute display, and is reflected in the user interface program. The column names and column order corresponding to the attribute information managed in the ATTRIBUTE table are also reflected in the user interface program.
[0021]
The definition of information to be stored for each category is held in the DATATYPES table 203. The information in this table is set when the database system is constructed, and is not changed during normal system operation. The information set in this table is reflected in the user interface program.
[0022]
The information to be stored is stored in the DATAFILES table 208. When storing as an external file, store the storage location.
[0023]
Which DATAFILE information is included in which INDEX information unit is managed by the DATACLASSES table 206. This table includes a reference to DATATYPES so that the type of stored information can be obtained. This table also allows one piece of DATAFILE information to be included in a plurality of INDEX information units.
[0024]
The setting of the access right is performed in the ACCESS table. The ACCESS table has a role of associating the INDEX information unit with the user information. In the target field, an access right to attribute information or an access right to storage information is designated.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the examination / approval used in this embodiment. The state value of this state transition is stored in the status field of the INDEX table, and is changed by the user interface program in accordance with the flow of FIG.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the user interface is a GUI using the Web. For this reason, a CGI program is generated as a user interface program.
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows parameters related to a method of inputting attribute information. For text input, input of only one line and input of multiple lines were prepared. For the date, a GUI is generated in which the year, month, and day can be input from pull-down menus. For numerical input, an auxiliary unit that can be selected from a pull-down menu is also provided. Which auxiliary unit is to be used can be separately specified by a parameter. There are two types of selections, some of which are fixed when the system is constructed and some of which are changed during operation. In the latter case, the items added to the specific table are the selection items. This table name needs to be specified, and the table generation command is embedded in the automatically generated database definition description.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of access right setting. The access right can be set separately and independently for the attribute information and the storage information.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows parameters relating to a method of searching for attribute information. Text information was searched for partial matches. Dates and numbers can be searched by specifying the range.
[0030]
FIG. 7 shows parameters related to the display method.
[0031]
In addition to the input, search, and display methods described above, the display order and the like are also stored in the definition information.
[0032]
FIG. 8 is a main screen of the construction GUI tool created in the embodiment. Reference numeral 701 denotes a menu bar, from which various operations can be performed. 702 is a submenu displayed from the file menu. From here, new definition information can be created, data being edited can be saved, and the tool can be terminated. 703 is a submenu displayed from the edit menu. From here, it is possible to add / edit / delete categories, add / change / delete storage information, and add / change / delete attribute information.
[0033]
Reference numeral 704 denotes a submenu displayed from the display menu. From here, the input screen, list display screen, and search screen can be previewed. Reference numeral 705 denotes a submenu displayed from the D / B construction menu. From here, an automatic program generation tool can be activated, and a database system can be constructed.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention provides an environment in which a database system can be constructed in a short time, even for those who do not have knowledge of a specialized field such as a database or programming.
[0035]
Since the constructed system has a standardized database structure, there is an advantage that functions added in other databases can be easily taken in. In addition, the GUI operation is also unified, so that it is possible to improve the operation learning when using a plurality of database systems and to prevent the occurrence of operation errors.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a database automatic construction according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a database structure serving as a base for realizing a business flow used in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Examination / approval flow used in the example [Fig. 4] Concept of access right setting used in the embodiment of the present invention [Fig. 5] Type of attribute input prepared in the embodiment of the present invention [Fig. 6] Embodiment of the present invention Types of attribute search prepared in [FIG. 7] Types of attribute display prepared in the embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 8] Main screen of the construction GUI tool created in the embodiment of the present invention [Explanation of symbols]
101 A tool for providing a GUI for building a database system 102 A part for holding information input to a building tool 103 A tool for automatically generating a program required for building a database system 104 There is a description for generating a table in a database Automatically generated file 105 Automatically generated file 106 with description for generating API procedures in database Automatically generated file 107 with description for generating API view in database Generated user interface Automatically generated file 108 with program description for creating a tool for automatically constructing the target database system from the automatically generated file

Claims (5)

In building a system that stores and manages information using a database,
The type and number of information stored,
The type and number of attribute information to be added to the information,
How to enter and display attribute information,
A method of automatically constructing a database system according to a predetermined business flow from input information such as search items and search method used for search from attribute information. In a database system that can be constructed according to claim 1,
The method according to claim 1, wherein a flow of examination / approval can be provided for the information to be stored and the attribute information. In a database system that can be constructed according to claim 1,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an access right to information to be stored and an access right to attribute information browsing can be set. In building the above database system,
Using the template of the table structure required in the business flow,
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic program generation function capable of selectively generating a program or a description for realizing a necessary functional part. Specify conditions for automatically building a database system,
The instruction to perform the automatic construction of the database system,
The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, which can be performed by a GUI.

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