JPH10154088A - Object-oriented database application generating gui unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently generate an application which performs navigation among objects in object-oriented database by using a GUI. SOLUTION: An application information extracting part 103 extracts application information in response to a screen operation by a user who uses a real screen 101 that expands a link. A query language generating part 104 generates a query language that includes an operation which tracks a link between objects in accordance with the application information and issues it to an ODBMS 106. A retrieval result display controlling part 108 receives the retrieval result of an ODB 107 from the ODBMS 106 and updates the screen 101 which expands a link. Link meta information management parts 105 and 105' correspond to a screen operation in which a user designates registration and register and manage a query language that is generated by the part 104 as link meta information that corresponds to a database application the user designates. An application executing part 110 carries out the application based on the link meta information and displays a user use screen 111.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a technique for efficiently generating an application for performing navigation between objects in an object-oriented database.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the features of an object-oriented database (ODB) is a navigation function. This function is a function that makes a relationship between objects in a database and can follow a link (relation attribute) generated by the relationship. For example, when the object identifier of each instance of the object B is stored in advance in a specific item (item) of each instance of the object A, when the object A is accessed, the object B can be accessed subsequently. More specifically, for example, when the product number information and the price information of the product are stored in the object A and the photograph information of the product is stored in the object B, the instance corresponding to the specific product in the object A is accessed. Then, by accessing the object B subsequently, the photograph of the product can be easily extracted.

Conventionally, in order to achieve navigation between objects in a database, a system administrator with special capabilities uses a specific database query language, such as SQL (Structured Query Language), to achieve a target. The navigation operation was directly described and programmed.

However, in order to use such a conventional method, it is necessary to learn how to use a database query language, so that it is difficult for general end users to use the above-described conventional method. End users have not been able to easily navigate between objects in the database.

[0005] In order to solve such a problem, a technique for realizing navigation between objects in a database by using a GUI (graphical user interface) has been proposed. By using this technology, the end user can follow the links of the objects graphically displayed on the screen while sequentially clicking, for example, using a mouse, thereby realizing interactive navigation for the objects in the database. can do.

However, in such GUI navigation, it is common that links are followed one by one. Because, when links are set in multiple stages between multiple objects:-How long does the link continue? -Where does the GUI user want to reach the linked object? -Where does the navigation stop if the link itself is in an infinite loop (recursive loop)? This is because such information depends on the user or the application.

[0007] As described above, it is very effective to interactively follow links one by one with respect to objects in a database when developing an application by trial and error or to know the structure and contents of the database. is there. However, when considering the use of a navigation function using a GUI to develop an efficient application that considers database access performance and effective use of database resources, especially fixed business applications, the navigation results are directly There is a problem that the navigation function using the GUI cannot be an effective tool for application development because it is not reflected in the program content of the application.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to efficiently develop a database application based on a result of navigation using a GUI.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
It has the following configuration. First, the application information extraction unit (application information extraction unit 103) responds to a screen operation by a user including an operation of following a link between objects in the object-oriented database (ODB 107), and responds to a screen operation by a user. Extract information.

Query language generating means (query language generating unit 1)
04) receives the application information, generates a query language corresponding to the operation following the link, and issues the query language to the object-oriented database management system (ODBMS 106) that manages the object-oriented database.

The search result display control means (search result display control unit 108) receives a search result from the object-oriented database management system, and displays a screen (link) including a link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database according to the search result. Is displayed to allow the user to perform a screen operation.

[0012] The link meta information management means (link meta information management units 105 and 105 ') includes, among the query languages generated by the query language generation means, a query generated in response to a screen operation instructed by the user to register. The language is registered and managed as link meta information corresponding to the database application specified by the user.

An application executing means (application executing unit 110) executes a database application designated by a user based on the link meta information. With the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention described above, the user has such a navigation function simply by performing a screen operation for navigation following a link between objects on the object-oriented database using a mouse or the like. Appropriate database applications can be created automatically.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the user inputs a query language directly specified by the user, and displays a screen corresponding to the query language including a link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database to the user. It can be configured so as to further include a user-defined screen display unit (a direct language definition unit 109 by the user and an application information extraction unit 103) for performing a screen operation. In this case, the user performs a screen operation including an operation of following a link between objects in the object-oriented database on the screen displayed by the user-defined screen display unit.

By allowing such a direct language definition by a user, a power user or the like can more efficiently develop a database application. A second aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

First, the application information extraction means (application information extraction unit 103) performs a recursive search of information on an object designated by the user in the object-oriented database (ODB 107) and other objects in the object-oriented database linked to the object. Application information including information for instructing a general search.

Query language generating means (query language generating unit 1)
04) is an object-oriented database that receives application information, generates a query language that instructs a recursive search for other objects linked to the user-specified object corresponding to the application information, and manages the query language in an object-oriented database Issued to the management system (ODBMS 106).

The link viewer screen display means (search result display control unit 108) receives a search result from the object-oriented database management system, and links the object designated by the user with another object linked to the object according to the search result. The entire relationship is displayed as a link viewer screen (link viewer screen 102).

The link meta information management means (link meta information management units 105 and 105 ') specifies, among the query languages issued by the query language generation means for generating the link viewer screen, the user instructed on the link viewer screen. The query language corresponding to the link relationship is registered and managed as link meta information corresponding to the database application specified by the user.

The application executing means (application executing unit 110) executes a database application designated by the user based on the link meta information. Through such an operation using the link viewer screen, the user can view the entire link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database, and can develop a more efficient database application.

In the above-mentioned second aspect of the present invention, a query language specified directly by a user is input, and a link viewer screen including a link relationship between objects in an object-oriented database is displayed corresponding to the query language. It can be configured to further include a user-defined screen display means (user-directed language definition unit 109, application information extraction unit 103). In this case, the user indicates a link relationship on the link viewer screen displayed by the user-defined screen display means.

In this case, as in the case of the first embodiment of the present invention, the power user and the like can develop the database application more efficiently. The present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium that, when used by a computer, causes the computer to perform the same functions as the functions realized by the above-described configuration of the first or second aspect of the present invention. It can also be configured.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Real screen 101 with links expanded, link viewer screen 102, application information extraction unit 103, query language generation unit 104, link meta information management unit 105, hair search result display control unit 10
8. The user direct language definition unit 109, the application execution unit 110, and the user use screen 111 are configured on the client computer (client side), and the link meta information management unit 105 ', the ODBCMS 10
6 and the ODB 107 are configured on a server computer (server side).

In this embodiment, the user can select one of the following cases when developing a database application. (1) When developing an application having a navigation function starting from the GUI (real screen 101 with links expanded) (2) When developing an application having a navigation function starting from the GUI (link viewer screen 102) ( 3) When the application skeleton is directly defined using the database query language and the details of the application are developed while displaying the definition using the GUI. The configuration and operation of each case will be described below. . (1) Starting point from GUI (real screen 101 with links expanded)
Application with navigation function as
In the case of development In this case, in FIG. 1, the user on the client side expands a link which is a screen on which the contents of each instance of an object in the object-oriented database (ODB) 107 can be directly displayed.
Above, links between objects can be sequentially traced using a mouse. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a window corresponding to the object instance is displayed on the screen, and when the mouse cursor is placed on a specific position in the window and the mouse is clicked, the object corresponding to the window is displayed. A window of another object linked to appears on the screen. Then, when the mouse cursor is placed on a specific position in the window and the mouse is clicked, a window of another object linked to the object corresponding to the window appears on the screen. Specifically, it is possible to sequentially follow the link from the object storing the price information of the product to the object storing the model information of the product.

Each time the user performs the above-described GUI operation on the actual screen 101 on which the link is developed, the application information extraction unit 103 on the client side sequentially extracts information necessary for the application corresponding to the current screen, and The information is transmitted to the query language generation unit 104. This information
For example, information for associating each resource of each screen object on the real screen 101 on which the link is developed with each item (item) of each object in the database;
This is information or the like for instructing a database operation required for generating each screen object. At the time of developing an application, the user performs a GUI operation for following a link between objects on the actual screen 101 on which the link is developed. In this case, the application information extraction unit 1
In step 03, object information and the like corresponding to the link designated by the user are extracted and transmitted to the query language generation unit 104.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of information necessary for an application. In FIG. 3, for example, “object
“x11 (listBox)” declares the start of the definition of a screen object “x11” for displaying a screen resource called a list box on the real screen 101 in which the link is expanded. Indicates the display position on the real screen 101 in which the link of the screen object “x11” is expanded, and “size (20, 30)” indicates the size (vertical and horizontal size) of the screen object “x11”. “Color green” indicates the color of the screen object “x11”: “access-object obj12, obj35, obj1
08 ”are objects“ obj12 ”and“ obj3 ”on the ODB 107 to display the screen object“ x11 ”.
5 ”and link information indicating that“ obj108 ”is to be accessed.The“ projection item54, item23 ”contains the ODB 107 to display the screen object“ x11 ”.
The items “item54” and “item” contained in the above object
The projection information indicates that the object “23” is to be accessed.The “join obj76 bj34 bj11” is a combination of the objects “obj76”, “obj34” and “obj11” on the ODB 107 to display the screen object “x11”. Instruct: “related-object x87 (parent) 256 (chil
“d)” means that the screen object that is the parent (display source) of the screen object “x11” is “x87” and the screen object that is a child (next display destination) of the screen object “x11” is “x256” In FIG. 3, the definition of the screen object “x31” is the same as that of the screen object “x11”.

Next, the client-side query language generating unit 104 shown in FIG. 1 performs the following based on the information necessary for the application transmitted from the application information extracting unit 103.
A query language for the object-oriented database management system (ODDBMS) 106 is generated,
The generated query language is stored in the ODBCMS 10 on the server side.
6 In addition, the query language generation unit 104
Stores the generated query language in the link meta information management unit 10
5 is temporarily held. At the time of developing an application, the user performs a GUI operation for following a link between objects on the actual screen 101 on which the link is developed.
In this case, the query language generation unit 104 generates a query language for following links between objects.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the query language generated by the query language generation unit 104. In FIG. 4, "obj2
1 set os, o; ”is the object“ ob
Declares a set variable “os” for storing a set of instances of “j21” and a variable “o” for storing a single instance of the object “obj21”.
63 "declares a variable" o763 "for storing a single instance of the object" obj763 "on the ODB 107." defaultOB ODB-model; "uses the database" ODB-model "which is the ODB 107. declare.
“Transaction.start ();” instructs the ODBCMS 106 to start a transaction. “Os = obj21
from obj21 "is the ODBMS 106
It is instructed to retrieve a set of instances of the object “obj21” on 107 and store it in the set variable “os”. In this case, a search condition can be specified by adding a “where” clause. “Scan (os, o)
o.obj763.item211.get ();; ”extracts instances one by one from the set of instances of the object“ obj21 ”on the ODB 107 stored in the set variable“ os ”and stores them in the variable“ o ”. Then, the content of the item “item211” in the object “obj763” on the ODB 107 linked to the instance stored in the variable “o” is obtained using the method “get ()” for the ODBCMS 106. This corresponds to the operation of following the link between the objects: “Transaction.end ();”
Instructs the ODBCMS 106 to start a transaction.

Returning to FIG. 1, the ODBCMS 106 on the server side
Searches the database for an instance of the object specified by the query language generation unit 104 on the client side, and returns the search result to the client side.

Search result display control unit 10 on the client side
8 receives the search result from the ODBCMS 106 on the server side, and updates the display content of the real screen 101 in which the link is expanded. Thus, every time the user on the client side follows the link between the objects using the mouse on the real screen 101 where the link is developed, the user corresponds to the instance of the object on the screen as shown in FIG. 2, for example. Windows can be displayed one after another.

An actual screen 101 on which a user has developed a link
When an instruction to register a predetermined series of links is given in the course of operation using, the link meta information management unit 105 on the client side stores the query language generation unit 10 held by itself.
Only the language corresponding to the above-mentioned predetermined series of links out of the series of query languages generated by 4 is formally registered as link meta information. The link meta information is a set of a user name, an application name, a database name, a query language indicating a series of links, mapping information (redefinition of a class name and an item name by a user), an update date / time, and the like. is there. Note that, of the link meta information stored in the link meta information management unit 105, only the link meta information unique to each client is stored in the link meta information management unit 105 on the client side, and is shared by a plurality of clients on the server side. The link meta information that can be held can be configured to be transferred to and stored in the link meta information management unit 105 'on the server side. In this case, the link meta information on the server side can be held as a management information file in a designated directory in the file system. Or, the link meta information is O
It can be held as one of the system classes of the DB 107.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of link meta information. In FIG. 5, “user-name: yamada” indicates the user name “Yamada”. “Appli-name: appl123” indicates the application name “appl123”. “Db-name:
“ODB-model” indicates the database name “ODB-model.” “Short-cut: obj21.obj763.item54” is the application “appl123” from the object “obj21” in the ODB 107 to the object “obj763”. Instructs to follow the link to item "item54".
“Mapping: (obj22, product class), (obj62, price class),
(item211, date) ”is the application“ appl123 ”
, An object "obj22" in the ODB 107 is assigned a name "product class", an object "obj62" is assigned a name "price class", and an item "item211" is assigned a name "date".

As described above, after the link meta information for a predetermined application is registered by the user and the user instructs to execute the application, the application execution unit 110 of FIG. The link meta information management unit 105 on the client side
Link meta information 201 managed by the server or link meta information 20 managed by the server side link meta information management unit 105 '.
1 ', and retrieves the query language indicating the above-described series of links registered corresponding to the application, and changes the query language to the ODBCMS1 on the server side.
06.

As a result, the ODBCMS 106
07, retrieves the search results corresponding to the designated series of links, and returns them to the application execution unit 110 on the client side.

The application execution unit 110 displays the search result on the user use screen 111. For example, in the example of FIG.
01, tracing a series of links from the object storing the price information of the product to the object storing the model information of the product, and the items corresponding to the price information of the product and the model information of the product Displaying an item corresponding to a predetermined application is registered as link meta information. As a result, when the user gives an instruction to execute the application, the user use screen 111 as shown in FIG. 2 can be automatically displayed. That is, the user has automatically created an appropriate application by performing a GUI operation using the real screen 101 in which the links have been developed. (2) Starting from the GUI (link viewer screen 102)
To develop applications with navigation functions
In this case, in FIG. 1, the user on the client side first instructs to display the link viewer screen 102 including the designated object.

On the other hand, the application information extraction unit 103 on the client side instructs, as information necessary for the application, information on the object designated by the user and a recursive search for another object linked to the object. And the like are transmitted to the query language generation unit 104.

The query language generator 104 on the client side
Generates a query language for the ODBCMS 106 based on the information necessary for the application transmitted from the application information extraction unit 103 and converts the generated query language into the server side in the same manner as in the case (1) described above. Issued to the ODBCMS 106. The query language in this case indicates a recursive search for another object linked to the object specified by the user.

The ODBCMS 106 on the server side recursively searches the database for instances of mutually linked objects specified by the query language generation unit 104 on the client side, and returns the search results to the client side.

Search result display controller 10 on the client side
8 receives the search result of the object linked from each other from the ODBCMS 106 on the server side, and displays it as the link viewer screen 102.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the link viewer screen 102. In the link viewer screen 102, the user can instruct how to follow the link by clicking each object in the order of, for example, 1 to 4 in FIG. 6 using a mouse, for example. At the same time, as shown in FIG.
Displayed at the bottom of the screen.

When the user instructs registration of a predetermined series of links in the course of operation using the link viewer screen 102, the link meta information management unit 1 on the client side
In step 05, the query language corresponding to the predetermined series of links among the query languages issued by the query language generation unit 104 to generate the link viewer screen 102 is registered as link meta information. Operations such as the execution of the application after this operation are the same as those in case (1) described above.

Through such an operation using the link viewer screen 102, the user can view the entire link relationship between objects in the ODB 107. (3) Query the application skeleton to the database
Is defined directly by using the
Develop application details while viewing and using
In this case, in FIG. 1, the user on the client side registers a skeleton program of an application directly created in advance by the user using a predetermined database query language by using the direct language definition unit 109 by the user in FIG. I do.

On the other hand, the user-directed language definition unit 109 transmits the query language string created by the user to the application information extraction unit 103. The application information extraction unit 103 calculates G
The information necessary for the UI is inversely extracted to generate and display a real screen 101 or a link viewer screen 102 in which links are developed.

The operation after this operation is performed in the case (1) described above.
Or the same as in the case of (2). By allowing such a direct language definition by the user, a power user or the like can more efficiently develop a database application. According to the embodiment described above, all users or system administrators, including end users or power users, can easily and efficiently use the GUI without requiring special knowledge of the database query language. Can be developed / maintained, and can also be used as a debugging tool when a problem occurs in the operation of the application. Recording medium on which a program for realizing the present embodiment is recorded
The present invention is configured as a computer-readable recording medium that, when used by a computer, causes the computer to perform the same functions as the functions realized by the above-described embodiments of the present invention. You can also.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, a portable recording medium 702 such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM disk, optical disk, or removable hard disk, or a network line 703 is used. Programs for implementing various functions are loaded into a memory (RAM, hard disk, or the like) 705 in the main body 704 of the NMS server 701 and executed.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the user only needs to perform a screen operation for tracing links between objects on the object-oriented database using a mouse or the like, so that the user can appropriately perform such a navigation function. A database application can be created automatically.

Further, the operation using the link viewer screen allows the user to overlook the entire link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database.
It is possible to develop a more efficient database application.

Further, by allowing a user to directly define a language and enabling a corresponding screen display, a power user or the like can develop a database application more efficiently.

Thus, according to the present invention, all users or system administrators, including end users or power users, can easily and easily use the GUI without requiring special knowledge of the database query language. The development / maintenance of the application can be realized efficiently, and at the same time, it can be used as a debugging tool when a problem occurs in the operation of the application.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage image of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of information necessary for an application.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of an inquiry language.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of link meta information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a link viewer screen.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a recording medium on which a program for realizing the present embodiment is recorded.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Real screen with links expanded 102 Link viewer screen 103 Application information extraction unit 104 Query language generation unit 105 Link meta information management unit 106 ODBMS (Object oriented database management system) 107 ODB (Object oriented database) 108 Search result display control unit 109 User direct language definition unit 110 Application execution unit 111 User use screen

Claims (6)

[Claims] An application information extracting unit configured to extract application information necessary for accessing the object-oriented database in response to a screen operation by a user including an operation of following a link between objects in the object-oriented database; Query language generating means for receiving information, generating a query language corresponding to the operation of following the link, and issuing the query language to an object-oriented database management system that manages the object-oriented database; Receiving a search result from a database management system, and operating a screen including a link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database according to the search result for a user; A search result display control means for displaying to effect, among the query language the query language generation means generates,
Link meta information management means for registering and managing, as link meta information corresponding to the database application designated by the user, a query language generated in response to a screen operation instructed by the user, based on the link meta information And an application executing means for executing a database application designated by a user. A GUI device for generating an object-oriented database application. 2. A query language specified directly by a user is input, and a screen corresponding to the query language including a link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database is displayed to allow the user to perform a screen operation. The user further performs a screen operation including an operation of following a link between objects in the object-oriented database on a screen displayed by the user-defined screen display means. The GUI device for generating an object-oriented database application according to claim 1, wherein: 3. Extracting information about an object designated by a user in an object-oriented database and application information including information for instructing a recursive search for another object in the object-oriented database linked to the object. Application information extracting means for receiving the application information, and generating a query language for instructing a recursive search for another object linked to the object specified by the user corresponding to the application information,
Query language generating means for issuing the query language to an object-oriented database management system that manages the object-oriented database; receiving a search result from the object-oriented database management system; and instructing the user according to the search result. Link viewer screen display means for displaying the entire link relationship between the object and other objects linked to the object as a link viewer screen, among the query languages issued by the query language generation means to generate the link viewer screen, Link meta information management for registering and managing an inquiry language corresponding to a link relationship designated by a user on the link viewer screen as link meta information corresponding to a database application designated by a user Stage and, based on the link meta information, an object-oriented database application generation GUI apparatus comprising: the application execution means for executing a database application that the user has indicated, the. 4. A user-defined screen display means for inputting a query language directly specified by a user and displaying the link viewer screen including a link relationship between objects in the object-oriented database corresponding to the query language. The GUI device for generating an object-oriented database application according to claim 3, wherein the user designates a link relationship on a link viewer screen displayed by the user-defined screen display means. 5. A recording medium recording a program read by the computer when used by a computer, wherein the recording medium is responsive to a screen operation by a user including an operation of following a link between objects in an object-oriented database. An object for extracting application information necessary for accessing the object-oriented database; an object for receiving the application information and generating a query language corresponding to the operation of following the link; and managing the query language in the object-oriented database A function for issuing to the object-oriented database management system; receiving a search result from the object-oriented database management system; A function of displaying a screen including a link relationship between objects to allow the user to perform a screen operation; and a query language generated in response to the screen operation instructed by the user to be registered among the query languages. A function for registering and managing as link meta information corresponding to the database application designated by the user, and a function for executing the database application designated by the user based on the link meta information. Computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded. 6. A recording medium for recording a program read by the computer when used by a computer, wherein information on an object specified by a user in an object-oriented database and information stored in the object-oriented database linked to the object. A function of extracting application information including information for instructing a recursive search of another object; and a function of receiving the application information and correspondingly recursively searching for another object linked to the user-specified object. Generate a query language to instruct the search,
A function of issuing the query language to an object-oriented database management system that manages the object-oriented database; receiving a search result from the object-oriented database management system; A function of displaying, as a link viewer screen, the entire link relationship with another object to be linked; and a query language generated by the query language generation means for generating the link viewer screen, wherein a user is displayed on the link viewer screen. A function for registering and managing a query language corresponding to the link relationship specified by the user as link meta information corresponding to the database application specified by the user; and a function specified by the user based on the link meta information. Computer readable recording medium recording a program for causing a function of executing a database application, to the computer.