JP3565117B2 - Access method for multiple different information sources, client device, and storage medium storing multiple different information source access program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage medium which stores a plurality heterogeneous information sources access method and the client device and a plurality heterogeneous information sources access program, in particular, the information source on the network, the end user Te knowledge Ranaku their structure The present invention also relates to a method for accessing a plurality of different information sources for creating a virtual database integrating them, a client device, and a storage medium storing a plurality of different information source access programs.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is an increasing demand for retrieval of data having a fixed data structure, such as a database, bullet points in a document, and CSV format. On the other hand, a multi-database management system, a mediator and the like have been proposed.
In these systems, a plurality of information sources are searched for by mapping a plurality of information sources to one integrated schema, and a system designer or a system administrator designs the integrated schema.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned conventional multi-database management system and mediator have the following problems.
-It is necessary to design an integrated schema in advance.
-End users are restricted to access through the integrated schema.
-A single integrated schema cannot meet the needs of various end users.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a virtual table that integrates a plurality of information sources existing on a network can be easily created by specifying a keyword and a condition value by an end user. A method for accessing a plurality of different types of information sources, a client device, and a plurality of different types of information that enable an end user to have a virtual database which is a set of virtual tables by accumulating and reusing created virtual tables. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage medium storing a source access program.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.
The present invention (claim 1) provides a method for accessing a plurality of different information sources in a client unit for accessing a plurality of different information sources.
When a keyword / condition value is input from the end user (step 1), the keyword / condition value is transferred to DBSENA used as a heterogeneous information source search device in the server unit , and a search execution information candidate for the information source is obtained from DBSENA When the group is returned (step 2), a candidate for necessary search execution information is registered as view definition information in a view definition information dictionary (step 3), a view creation step,
When performing a search, based on the search expression input from the end user, by searching the view definition information registered in the view definition dictionary (Step 4), transfers the acquired view definition information DBSENA the server unit Then, an instance of the view is acquired from the DBSENA (steps 5 and 6 ), and a search expression execution step is performed .
[0006]
According to the present invention (claim 2), in the view creation step, a plurality of view definition information is defined in the view definition information dictionary .
In the present invention (claim 3), in the search formula execution step,
When instances of a plurality of views are required, a combining step of acquiring the instances of the plurality of views from DBSENA of the server unit and combining the instances according to the search formula is further performed.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.
The present invention (claim 4) is a client device for accessing a plurality of different information sources,
When a keyword / condition value is input from the end user, the keyword / condition value is transferred to DBSENA used as a heterogeneous information source search device of the server unit , and a candidate group of information execution search information of the information source is returned from DBSENA. that when, as a candidate view definition information of search execution information needed, a view creation unit 121 for registering the bi-menu definition information dictionary 123,
When performing a search based on the search expression input from the end user, by searching the view definition information registered in the view definition dictionary 123, and transfers the acquired view definition information DBSENA the server unit, from the DBSENA having a retrieval equation execution means 124 for obtaining an instance of a view, a.
[0007]
According to the present invention (claim 5), the view creation unit 121 defines a plurality of view definition information in the view definition information dictionary 123 .
The present invention (claim 6), when an instance of the multiple views is needed, obtains an instance of a plurality of views from DBSENA the server unit, including means for binding in accordance with the search expression.
[0008]
The present invention (claim 7) is a storage medium storing a plurality of different information source access programs to be executed by the client unit for accessing a plurality of different information sources,
When a keyword / condition value is input from the end user, the keyword / condition value is transferred to DBSENA used as a heterogeneous information source search device of the server unit , and a candidate group of information execution search information of the information source is returned from DBSENA. When that, as a search candidate view definition information of the execution information needed, the view creation step of registering the bi-menu definition information dictionary,
When performing a search, based on the search expression input from the end user, by searching the view definition information registered in the view definition dictionary, and transfers the acquired view definition information DBSENA the server unit, the DBSENA A retrieval formula execution step of acquiring an instance of a view from the storage medium.
[0009]
According to the present invention (claim 8), in the view creation step, a step of defining a plurality of view definition information in the view definition information dictionary is executed .
The present invention (Claim 9), in the search formula executing step, when multiple instances of views is needed to obtain an instance of a plurality of views from DBSENA the server unit, for binding in accordance with the search expression bond Cause the steps to be performed further.
[0010]
As described above, by using the search execution information of the heterogeneous information source search device as the definition information of the virtual table, the end user can search as a unique virtual table without knowing the structure of the information source. Becomes possible.
In addition, by defining a plurality of virtual tables, it becomes possible for the end user to construct an original virtual database.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the information search method and system (hereinafter, DBSENA) disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-240857 is used as a heterogeneous information source search device.
Even if the end user does not know the structure of multiple heterogeneous information sources, DBSENA automatically generates search execution information for multiple heterogeneous information sources based on “keywords / condition values” input by the end user, and performs this search. This is a system that collectively searches a plurality of different information sources using execution information and obtains an “instance”.
[0012]
According to the present invention, a set of “keyword / condition value” which is an input of DBSENA and “instance” which is an output of DBSENA are regarded as a table in a relation data model. It is realized as access to. Here, “virtual” means that the table does not have a physical instance and instances are dynamically collected when the table is accessed.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, an integrated search for a plurality of different types of information sources can be performed in a standard database search language (SQL language) by regarding a set of a plurality of views as a virtual database.
In the present invention, a set of “keyword / condition value” as input to DBSENA and “instance” as output is referred to as “view”, and a virtual database as a set of views is referred to as “virtual database”.
[0014]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the heterogeneous information source access device of the present invention.
The heterogeneous information source access device shown in FIG. 1 has a client-server architecture including a client unit 100 and a server unit 200.
The client unit 100 includes an application program 110 and a virtual database management unit 120 that manages view definition information.
[0015]
The server unit 200 includes a DBSENA 210.
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the virtual database management unit of the client unit of the present invention.
The virtual database management unit 120 shown in FIG. 2 includes a view creation unit 121, a view creation screen display unit 122, a view definition information dictionary 123, a search formula execution unit 124, and a communication unit 125.
[0016]
The view creation unit 121 requests DBSENA to create a view in response to input of a keyword and a condition value from the application program 110, and registers the created view definition information in the view definition information dictionary 123.
The view creation screen display unit 122 is a screen on which an end user inputs a keyword / condition value and a screen for selecting a candidate for search execution information when a view is created.
[0017]
The view definition information dictionary 123 is a dictionary that stores view definition information of an integrated schema created by an end user.
The search expression execution unit 124 interprets the SQL search expression from the application program 110, requests the DBSENA 210 to execute a search based on the view definition information registered in the view definition information dictionary 123, and obtains the obtained search result. Return to application program 110.
[0018]
The communication unit 125 communicates with the DBSENA 210 operating on the server 200.
The DBSENA 210 of the server unit 200 performs the following processing in response to a request from the virtual database management unit 120.
-Generate and return a set of search execution information candidates from keywords and condition values.
・ The information source is actually searched from the search execution information, and the search result is returned.
[0019]
Next, creation of view definition information in the above configuration will be described.
The view is created at the request of the end user. A view is created by defining view definition information. View definition information consists of the following items.
-View name:
View name and search execution information for specifying the view with the search statement:
Information Required for DBSENA 210 to Search for Specific Information FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for creating a view according to the present invention.
[0020]
Step 101) The end user activates the view creation screen display unit 122.
Step 102) The end user inputs a keyword / condition value to the view creation screen display unit 122.
Step 103) The above keyword / condition value passed to the view creation screen display unit 122 is passed to the DBSENA 210 in the server unit 200 via the communication unit 125.
[0021]
Step 104) The DBSENA 210 returns to the client unit 100 a group of search execution information candidates for information sources from which the specified information can be obtained.
Step 105) The search execution information candidate group is returned to the view creation screen display unit 122 through the view creation unit 121.
Step 106) The view creation screen display unit 122 presents the search execution information to the end user.
[0022]
Step 107) The end user selects necessary items from the presented search item information candidate group. Also specify the view name at the same time.
Step 108) The view creation unit 121 registers the selected search execution information candidate as a view in the view definition information dictionary 123.
Next, an operation at the time of performing a search will be described. When a search expression is passed from the application program 110 to the search expression execution unit 124, the search execution unit 124 executes the following processing.
[0023]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search formula execution unit of the present invention.
Step 201) The search formula passed from the application program 110 is passed to the search formula execution unit 124.
Step 202) The search formula execution unit 124 analyzes the syntax of the search formula, and determines a view necessary for the search and its operation.
[0024]
Step 203) The search formula execution unit 124 obtains necessary view definition information from the view definition information dictionary 123, communicates with the DBSENA 210 via the communication unit 125, and obtains a view instance. At this time, if instances of a plurality of views are required, the instances of the plurality of views are acquired.
Step 204) The search formula execution unit 124 combines the acquired instances of the view according to the search formula, and returns the result to the application program 110.
[0025]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the DBSENA 210 of the server unit 200 is set so that information such as vehicle type name, displacement, price, maker name, telephone number, and address can be searched from the RDB, Web page, and the like. FIG. 7 shows an example of a searchable information source.
[0026]
Here, the view creation unit 121 creates a first view.
The end user inputs a view, which is a set of data of “vehicle type name, displacement, price, and manufacturer name of a car whose price is less than $ 2,000,000”, from the view creation screen display unit 122, and the view The creation unit 121 creates a view. The view is given the view name "car". FIG. 8 shows an example of the view.
[0027]
The view created in this way is transferred to the DBSENA 210 of the server unit 200 via the communication unit 125. As a result, the DBSENA 210 generates an example of a search execution candidate shown in FIG. 9 and returns it to the virtual database management unit 120.
The end user selects a necessary one of these candidates on the view creation screen display unit 122 to define a view (for example, all but the Mazde DB). Thus, the view generated by the view creation unit 121 is as shown in FIG.
[0028]
The creation of the second view will be described.
When the end user inputs “manufacturer name, telephone number, and address” from the view creation screen display unit 122, the view creation unit 121 creates a view that is a set of these data, and assigns the view name “ "Maker". An example is shown in FIG. The generated view is transferred to DBSENA 210 via communication unit 125, and the candidates shown in FIG. 12 are returned as candidates for the search execution information to be returned.
[0029]
The view is defined by the end user selecting the required one of these candidates (in the example, all candidates). An example of a view generated by the view creation unit 121 is as shown in FIG.
After the view is set as described above, a search is performed.
With respect to the integrated schema having the first view and the second view, the application program 110 can execute the following retrieval formula.
[0030]
SELECT Model name, price, maker name, phone number FROM car, maker name WHERE car, maker name = maker, maker name AND Price <$ 1,000,000
When the search formula execution unit 124 executes a search using the above search formula, an instance shown in FIG. 14 is obtained as an example of a search result.
[0031]
Although the above embodiment has been described based on the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is constructed as a program, and a disk connected to a computer used as a multiple heterogeneous information source access device. The present invention can be easily realized by storing it in a portable storage medium such as an apparatus, a floppy disk, or a CD-ROM, and installing it when implementing the present invention.
[0032]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the claims.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even a user who does not know the structure of an information source can construct an integrated schema, and by using this integrated schema, an original application program can be easily developed. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a heterogeneous information source access device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a virtual database management unit of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a view according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search expression execution unit of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an example of a searchable information source according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a setting example of a first view according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an example (part 1) of a search execution candidate according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an example of a first view generated according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a setting example of a second view according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an example (No. 2) of search execution candidates according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an example of a generated second view according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is an example of an instance obtained as a search result according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 100 client, client unit 110 application program 120 virtual database management unit 121 view creation unit, view creation unit 122 view creation screen display unit 123 view definition information dictionary 124 search expression execution unit, search expression execution unit 125 communication unit 200 server, server unit 210 DBSENA

Claims (9)

A method for accessing a plurality of different information sources in a client unit for accessing a plurality of different information sources,
When a keyword / condition value is input from the end user, the keyword / condition value is transferred to DBSENA used as a heterogeneous information source search device of the server unit , and a candidate group of information execution search information of the information source is returned from DBSENA. When that, as a search candidate view definition information of the execution information needed, the view creation step of registering the bi-menu definition information dictionary,
When performing a search is based on said search expression input from the end user, the search for the view definition information registered in the view definition information dictionary, the obtained view definition information to the DBSENA of the server unit Performing a search expression execution step of transferring and acquiring an instance of a view from the DBSENA . In the view creation step,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the view definition information are defined in the view definition information dictionary . In the search expression execution step,
If necessary instances of multiple views, the obtains an instance of a plurality of views from DBSENA server unit, further more heterogeneous information sources according to claim 1, wherein performing the binding step of binding in accordance with the search expression how to access. A client device for accessing a plurality of different information sources,
When a keyword / condition value is input from the end user, the keyword / condition value is transferred to DBSENA used as a heterogeneous information source search device of the server unit , and a candidate group of information execution search information of the information source is returned from DBSENA. When that, as a search candidate view definition information of the execution information needed, a view creation unit for registering the bi-menu definition information dictionary,
At the time of performing a search, based on a search formula input from the end user , search for view definition information registered in the view definition dictionary, and transfer the obtained view definition information to the DBSENA of the server unit; client apparatus characterized by having a search equation execution means for obtaining an instance of a view from the DBSENA. The view creation means,
5. The client device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the view definition information are defined in the view definition information dictionary . Multiple If an instance of view is required, the Get an instance of a plurality of views from DBSENA the server unit, the client apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for binding in accordance with the search expression. A storage medium storing a plurality of heterogeneous information source access programs to be executed by the client unit for accessing a plurality of heterogeneous information sources,
When a keyword / condition value is input from the end user, the keyword / condition value is transferred to DBSENA used as a heterogeneous information source search device of the server unit , and a candidate group of information execution search information of the information source is returned from DBSENA. When that, as a search candidate view definition information of the execution information needed, the view creation step of registering the bi-menu definition information dictionary,
When performing a search is based on said search expression input from the end user, forwarding the search view definition information registered in the view definition dictionary, the obtained view definition information to the DBSENA of the server unit And a search expression execution step of acquiring an instance of a view from the DBSENA; and a storage medium storing a program for accessing a plurality of different types of information sources, characterized by storing a program for executing the search expression execution step . In the view creation step,
A storage medium storing a plurality of heterogeneous information source access programs according to claim 7, wherein a step of defining a plurality of said view definition information in said view definition information dictionary is executed . In the search expression execution step,
If necessary instances of multiple views, the obtains an instance of a plurality of views from DBSENA the server unit, a plurality heterogeneous information according to claim 7, wherein for the search expression further perform the binding step of binding in accordance with Storage medium storing a source access program.

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