JPH10116188A - Method and device for generating instruction sentence - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a beginner to generate an instruction sentence by following a representing method by matching the structure analytic result of an input sentence against grammar and diagnosing whether or not there is an error. SOLUTION: An SQL(structural query language) sentence extracting device 101 automatically extracts only an SQL sentence from an application source file and an SQL analyzing device 102 classifies the extracted SQL sentence into respective elements to obtain its structure. An SQL inference device 104 matches the structure of the SQL sentence obtained by the SQL analyzing device against the grammar stored in an SQL grammar storage means 103 to detect whether or not there is a grammatical error and its error place by inference. An SQL correcting plan showing device 106 reads a correction plan corresponding to the error out of an SQL correction plan storage device 105 when the grammatical error is inferred in the generated SQL sentence and shows it to the SQL sentence writer by using characters, an image, voice, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for supporting creation of a command sentence for instructing a computer system to perform a predetermined operation, and more particularly, to creation of an SQL (Structured Querry Language) statement used in a database system. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus suitable for supporting creation of a command sentence in such a case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a database system is accessed during execution of an arbitrary application program.
Retrieving desired data is often performed. In order to execute such an application program, in order to search a database system in a source file constituting the application program,
An SQL statement must be described.

[0003]

By the way, since an SQL sentence has a unique notation or grammar, the task of creating an SQL sentence is not easy for a beginner who is not familiar with it. In addition, SQL
Since the notation of sentences is slightly different depending on the provider of each database, even a programmer who is proficient in a specific database, SQ adopted in other databases
Creating an L-sentence can often be confusing.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for supporting the creation of an SQL statement,
From the viewpoint of performance improvement in database search, a proposal for supporting the tuning of an SQL statement has been proposed. However, there is no example that supports the creation of a SQL statement from the viewpoint of a notation method. .

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems.
Even a beginner who is not proficient in creating a statement such as an SQL statement can easily create a statement matching the instruction work according to the notation method of the statement. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for supporting creation of a document.

[0006]

According to the invention described in claim 1 (or claim 6) of this application, a sentence structure analyzing means (or step) for analyzing the structure of an input command sentence, and the sentence structure A statement diagnosing means (or step) for diagnosing the presence or absence of an error in the input statement by comparing the structure of the statement obtained by the analysis (or step) with the grammar; (Or step), when it is diagnosed that there is an error in the command sentence, a correction plan presenting means (or step) for presenting a correction plan for the error as a diagnosis result; In the device (or method).

Here, "sentence structure analysis" means a work of acquiring the structure of a command sentence by classifying the input command sentence into each component.

[0008] Further, "diagnosis of imperative sentence" means diagnosing the presence or absence of an error in an input imperative sentence. This diagnosis is performed by checking the structure of the imperative sentence with a language-specific grammar of the imperative sentence. It is performed by

[0009] Further, "presentation of a correction plan" does not merely indicate that there is an error, but indicates how the error can be corrected.
For the presentation, an appropriate notification means such as an image and a sound is adopted.

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 1 (or claim 6), even if a person who is not accustomed to the instruction notation method only by operating according to the proposed correction plan, It is possible to easily and reliably create various kinds of command statements.

According to the invention described in claim 2 (or claim 7) of the present application, the correction plan presenting means (or step)
The command sentence creation support apparatus (or method) according to claim 1, wherein the amendment is presented by displaying a commentary in a natural language corresponding to the amendment.

According to the invention described in claim 2 (or claim 7), the proposed amendment is presented as a commentary in a natural language, so that even beginners unfamiliar with computer languages can modify The contents of the plan can be easily understood.

According to the invention described in claim 3 (or claim 8) of the present application, the modification proposal presenting means (or step)
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the error is a misspelling of a word, the misspelled word is characteristically displayed in a prepared command sentence in addition to the commentary sentence in the natural language. In the statement support system (or method).

Here, "characteristically displayed" means that an underline is added, a display color is changed, or luminance is changed in a screen.

According to the invention described in claim 3 (or claim 8), it is possible to directly recognize which word of the command sentence that the user has created has a misspelling by the feature of the display mode. Can be done.

[0016] The invention described in claim 4 (or claim 9) of this application is characterized in that the statement is an SQL statement used for searching a database. ) To (3) (8).

According to the invention described in claim 4 (or claim 9), even a novice or the like who is not proficient in preparing an SQL sentence can perform the search operation according to the notation method of the SQL sentence. The invention according to claim 5 (or claim 10) of the present application can easily create an SQL statement that conforms to the following.
5. An SQL sentence extracting means (or step) for extracting only an SQL sentence from a source file constituting an application program.
In the statement support system (or method).

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, after a source program is completed by incorporating an SQL statement into an application program, the source program is applied to the instruction statement creation support apparatus of the present invention. Only the SQL sentence is automatically extracted from the source program, and the structural analysis, correct / incorrect diagnosis, and suggestion of the correction plan are sequentially performed.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application resides in a recording medium storing software for executing the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

Here, the "recording medium" means various recording media applied to a computer, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, and the like.

[0021]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing a functional configuration of a method and an apparatus for supporting creation of a statement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the SQL sentence extracting apparatus 101 relies on a delimiter (such as a colon ":") between a C sentence as an application program language and an SQL sentence as a database search language. Separated as
Only SQL statements are automatically extracted from the application source file. As will be described in detail later, an example of the SQL statement (A,
B, C) are shown in FIG.

The SQL analysis device 102 acquires the structure of the SQL sentence extracted by the SQL sentence extraction device 101 by classifying the SQL sentence into each element.

The SQL grammar storage device 103 stores a grammar unique to an SQL sentence employed in a database system to be searched. As described above, this type of SQL grammar differs slightly depending on the provider of the database system. However, the SQL grammar storage means 103 stores an SQL grammar that matches the data pace system actually used.
The grammar is memorized. As will be described later in detail, an example of inference knowledge corresponding to a grammar is shown in FIG.

The SQL inference unit 104 checks the structure of the SQL sentence obtained by the SQL analysis unit 102 against the grammar stored in the SQL grammar storage unit 103 to determine whether there is a grammatical error in the SQL sentence. In addition, the erroneous part is detected by inference.

The SQL modification plan storage device 105 stores, in advance, modification plans for correcting various grammatical errors that are likely to occur in SQL statement creation. As will be described later in detail, an example of such a modification is shown in FIG.

When the grammatical error is inferred in the created SQL sentence, the
The modification plan corresponding to the error is stored in the SQL modification plan storage device 10.
5 and presents it to the creator of the SQL sentence in characters, images, sounds, or the like. As will be described in detail later, FIGS. 6 and 9 show an example of a display mode when a correction plan is presented using a screen of an image display device.

Then, a source program is completed by describing and inserting an SQL statement created in the SQL language into an application program created in the C language, and this source program is transferred to the creation support device of the present invention shown in FIG. If applied, only the SQL language included in the source program will be automatically extracted and grammatical correctness / error diagnosis will be performed, and if there is an error in it, a correction plan for it will be sent to the user. It is presented automatically.

Next, the operation of the creation support device shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the explanatory diagrams of FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an SQL sentence extracted from a source file via the SQL extraction device 101, and FIG. 4 shows an example of a grammar stored in the SQL grammar storage device 103.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the SQL amendment stored in the amendment storage 105, and FIG. 6 shows an example of the amendment presented on the display screen by the amendment presentation device 106.

As shown in FIG. 3, suppose that three S
It is assumed that the QL sentence (A, B, C) is extracted from the source file by the operation of the SQL extraction device 101.

Then, the SQL analyzing apparatus 102 analyzes the structure of the three SQL statements (A, B, C), and as a feature of the structure of the SQL statement, the element ( SELECT, WHERE, NO
T, AND) from the SQL statement (B) to the element (UPDA
TE, WHERE) from the SQL statement (C) to the element (I
NSERT, INTO, VALUES).

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the SQL inference device 104 increments the value of the SQL statement pointer (i) one by one from the initial value “1” (steps 201 and 210). The structure of the SQL statement (A, B, C) specified by the pointer (i) is sequentially read (step 202), and each time, the value of the inference knowledge ID pointer (j) is predetermined from the initial value "1". (Step 207), while stepping one by one (Steps 203 and 208), sequentially read inference knowledge specified by the pointer (j) from the SQL grammar storage device 103 (Step 204). By comparing the two (the structure of the SQL sentence and the inference knowledge) (step 205),
The presence / absence of an error and the location of the error in the SQL statement are diagnosed.

Here, if the two match (step 205 YES), the SQL modification proposal presentation device 106 stores the SQL modification proposal corresponding to the knowledge ID specified by the inferred knowledge ID pointer (j) at that time. Apparatus 1
A correction plan is created by reading from step 05 (step 206).

The above processing is executed until the value of the SQL statement pointer (i) reaches a predetermined final value.

Then, in the case of the three SQL statements shown in FIG. 3, the following processing is performed. That is, FIG.
In the case of the SQL sentence (A) shown in (1), although the element "SELECT" exists in the first line, the element "FROM" does not exist in the subsequent sentence. This is because the element “FRAM” on the second line is misspelled in “FROM”. In addition, in the fourth line, the element “GROU
Despite the existence of "P", the element "B"
Y "does not exist. Therefore, when the structure of the SQL sentence (A) is compared with the inference knowledge shown in FIG.
01,0002).

In the case of the SQL sentence (B) shown in FIG. 3, although the element "UPDATE" exists in the first line, the element "SET" does not exist in the subsequent sentence. Therefore, if the structure of the SQL sentence (B) is compared with the inference knowledge shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the knowledge ID (0003) is violated.

Further, in the case of the SQL sentence (C) shown in FIG. 3, when the structure is compared with the inference knowledge shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the inference knowledge is not violated at all. Becomes

The SQL modification plan presentation device 106 performs the following processing based on the above determination results. That is, for the SQL sentence (A), the violating knowledge I
In response to D (0001,0002), the correction plan in natural language ("SELECT sentence requires FROM clause." And "GROUP BY forms one phrase.") Is SQL correction plan storage device 105. Is read from.

For the SQL sentence (B), a correction plan in natural language (“UPDATE statement requires a SET clause”) is prepared in accordance with the offending knowledge ID (0003). It is read from the storage device 105.

Then, these read amendments are:
It is displayed as a natural language on the screen of an image display (not shown). FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed in such a manner. Window W1 projected on the display screen
Inside the upper small window W for displaying the SQL statement
1 and a lower small window W2 for displaying a diagnosis result. In this example, the SQL sentence (A) described above is displayed in the upper small window W1.
In this example, a correction plan in a natural language is displayed in the lower small window W2. Therefore, by confirming while comparing the display contents of these two small windows, it is possible to easily understand that there is an error in the SQL sentence (A) and how to correct the error.

Next, another embodiment of the method and apparatus for supporting the creation of a statement according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The feature of this embodiment is that if there is an error in the SQL sentence, and if the cause of the error is misspelling of any element, the element related to the misspelling is automatically detected and By displaying, it is possible to more clearly understand the error location.

FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram for realizing such an operation. As shown in the figure, the SQL analysis apparatus 102 shown in this example is composed of an SQL analysis apparatus 102-1 for realizing the original function of the analysis apparatus and a newly provided similar element search apparatus 102-2. It is configured. Then, the similar element search device 102-2 uses the SQL
It has a function of extracting a character string similar to the command name (element) of a sentence (for example, a single character difference). The automatic extraction of the similar element is performed according to the following procedure.

First, as feature quantities for extracting similar elements, numerical feature quantities shown in (1) to (4) of the following equation (Equation 1) are used.

[0046]

(1) Character string length coincidence (length) Length match: 1.0 Length differs by one character: 0.8 Length differs by two characters: 0.4 (2) Matching degree of character types (type) Same type: 1.0 One type is different: 0.8 Two types are different: 0.4 (3) Matching degree (order) of same character order Order matches : 1.0 The order is different by one: 0.8 The order is different by two: 0.4 (4) Matching degree of first character (first) Matching first character: 1.0 Different first character: 0.0 ( (Because the first character is not mistaken.) Then, a weighted average of the above-mentioned respective characteristic amounts is calculated, and a character string having a certain threshold value or more is extracted as a similar element. An example of a similarity calculation equation for detecting an ambiguous similar element is shown in the following equation (Equation 2).

[0047]

## EQU2 ## Similarity = (length + type + order + head) / number of feature amounts (equation 2) In the case of the SQL sentence (A) shown in FIG. 3, the element "FRAM" and the element "FROM" Is calculated as in the following equation (Equation 3).

[0048]

## EQU00003 ## Length = 1.0 -------- Four characters for both Type = 0.8 --- One character difference Order = 1.0 ------ Same character arrangement is the same First = 1.0- --- First character is the same Similarity = (1.0 + 0.8 + 1.0 + 1.0) /4.0=0.95 (Equation 3) Here, if the threshold value is set to 0.7, Since the similarity obtained by the above calculation exceeds the threshold value, the element “FRAM” is extracted as a similar element to the reference element “FROM”.

The similar element (for example, “FRAM”) extracted in this manner is used as a reference element (for example, “FRAM”).
"FROM") and stored in a memory. This storage is performed, as shown in FIG. 8, by associating the elements of the SQL sentence as a reference with the similar elements.

As shown in FIG. 7, the SQL amendment proposal presenting apparatus 106 in this embodiment is a SQL amendment proposal presenting apparatus 10 for realizing the original function of the amendment proposal presenting apparatus.
6-1 and a similar element display device 106-2. Then, the similar element display device 106-2 displays the SQL
The diagnostic result presented by the amendment proposal presenting apparatus 106-1 is characteristically displayed in association with the previously extracted similar element.

It is preferable that the extracted similar elements are displayed as separate frames so that they can be selected as correction candidates. At this time, when there are a plurality of extracted similar elements, it is preferable to display them in order from the one with the highest matching degree.

It is preferable that the elements of the SQL sentence to be displayed and the similar elements corresponding thereto can be easily identified by color coding, underlining, difference in luminance, and the like.

Further, when there is only one correction candidate, it may be sufficient to simply select whether or not to correct.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the screen displayed in this manner. The SQL sentence (A) displayed in the upper small window W1 has a syntax element “SELEC
"T" and misspelled element "FRAM" are included therein, and the element "SELECT" is underlined, and "FRAM" is double underlined.
Further, another small window W3 is newly opened at the upper right of the small window W1 in an overlapping manner. In this small window W3, a similar element of “FROM” which is an element paired with the element “SELECT” is included. A plurality of items having a high degree of similarity are displayed in order. Also, this window W
A confirmation button for confirming a correction candidate is provided in 3. After selecting a correction candidate by an operation such as clicking with a cursor, the spelling displayed in the window W1 is operated by operating the confirmation button. The similar element "FRAM" which is related to the mistake is automatically corrected to the correct element "FROM".

As described above, according to the present embodiment, FIG.
It is possible to more easily correct the error portion of the SQL sentence as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even a beginner who is not proficient in creating an imperative sentence represented by an SQL sentence, etc. Thus, a command sentence that matches the command operation can be easily created.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing a functional configuration of a method and an apparatus for supporting creation of a statement according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an SQL sentence extracted from a source file.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of inference knowledge constituting a grammar;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correction plan for a grammatical error.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen on which an SQL sentence containing an error and a correction plan for the sentence are displayed in association with each other.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually showing another example of the functional configuration of the method and apparatus for supporting creation of a command sentence according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a storage mode of an SQL element and its similar element.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen in which an SQL sentence including an error and a correction plan for the error are displayed in association with each other, and an element having a misspelling is characteristically displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 SQL extraction device 102 SQL analysis device 103 SQL grammar storage device 104 SQL inference device 105 SQL correction plan storage device 106 SQL correction plan presentation device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Horiuchi Omron Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A sentence structure analysis means for analyzing the structure of an input statement, and a structure of the statement obtained by the analysis by the statement structure analysis means is compared with a grammar, so that the input statement A statement diagnosing means for diagnosing the presence / absence of an error; and, when the statement diagnosing means diagnoses the statement as having an error, a correction plan presenting means for presenting a correction plan for the error as a diagnosis result. A statement creation support device characterized by the following. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the modification proposal presenting unit presents the modification proposal by displaying a commentary in a natural language corresponding to the modification proposal. Support equipment. 3. If the error is a misspelling of a word, the correction suggesting means presents the misspelled word in the prepared command sentence in addition to the commentary sentence in the natural language. The command creation support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the command statement creation support is displayed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the statement is an SQL statement used for searching a database. 5. The SQL sentence extracting means according to claim 4, wherein said sentence structure analyzing means is provided with an SQL sentence extracting means for extracting only an SQL sentence from a source file constituting the application program. Instruction statement creation support device. 6. A sentence structure analyzing step for analyzing the structure of an input sentence, and a structure of the sentence obtained by the analysis in the sentence structure analyzing step is compared with a grammar, so that the input sentence is A statement diagnosing step of diagnosing the presence / absence of an error; and a correction plan presenting step of presenting a correction plan for the error as a diagnosis result when the statement is diagnosed as having an error in the statement diagnosing step. A method for supporting the creation of an imperative sentence. 7. The preparation of a statement according to claim 6, wherein the step of presenting the modification plan presents the modification plan by displaying a commentary in a natural language corresponding to the modification plan. How to help. 8. The method for presenting a correction plan, wherein when the error is a misspelling of a word, in addition to the commentary sentence in the natural language, the misspelled word is included in a prepared command sentence. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the command is displayed in a dynamic manner. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the statement is an SQL statement used for searching a database. 10. In the preceding stage of the sentence structure analysis step,
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising an SQL statement extracting step of extracting only an SQL statement from a source file constituting the application program. 11. A recording medium storing software for executing the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.