JPH11249952A - Method and device for data input/output and storage medium with data input/output program recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the method and device for data input/output, which secure a flexibility on data base constitution and reduce the burden of definition management, and a storage medium where a data input/output program is recorded. SOLUTION: Communication with an object management means 150 which manages objects. corresponding to input/output items in accordance with definitions of correspondence relation between input/output items and classifications as well as attributes of objects held in a definition management means 160 is performed, and data given together with an input item is outputted to the object management means 150 as the attribute value of the attribute of an object corresponding to the input item, and the attribute value of the attribute of an object corresponding to a given output item is acquired from the object management means 150 and is returned, and the object management means 150 outputs an instruction to write data, which is given as the attribute value of the attribute of an object, on a DB and outputs an instruction to read out data preserved on the DB in accordance with the attribute of an object and returns obtained data as the attribute value of the attribute of this object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is located between a database and an apparatus user and can read specified data from the database and present it to the apparatus user, or can specify data input by the apparatus user. The present invention relates to a data input / output method and apparatus for writing data to a database in a format and a recording medium recording a data input / output program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A set of one or more attributes and attribute values is provided.
A data set identified by a type and an identifier is called an object. The identifier is unique among objects belonging to the same type, and is used to identify an object within the type. Most of the data managed in the database can be attributed to some object.

As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional data input / output device is connected to a display device 74 comprising a display or the like, and includes a screen control means 20 for outputting information to the display device, and an input device 76 comprising a keyboard or the like. It is connected and comprises an input control means 30 for inputting information from the input device 76, a data control means 10, and a database input / output means 40 for inputting and outputting information to and from the database 70.

[0004] The data control means 10 stores a list of data items to be output or requested to the user of the apparatus (collectively called input / output items) and data corresponding to the input / output items on a database. It has a procedure for outputting to the device user or obtaining the data corresponding to the input / output items from the device user, and according to the list and the procedure, the screen control means 20, the input control means 30, and the database input means. The input / output items, parameters, and data corresponding thereto are input / output controlled with the output means 40.

[0005] The screen control means 20 comprises a data control means 10
A display screen for presenting an output item given by the user and an output data corresponding thereto to an apparatus user or an input screen for presenting the given input item and requesting input of the corresponding data, and comprising a display or the like Output to the device 74. The input control means 30 acquires data input by the device user from an input device 76 such as a keyboard in accordance with an instruction of the data control means 10, and
Output to 0.

The database input / output means 40 executes a data input / output command to / from the database 70 based on the parameters given from the data control means 10 and reads data from the database 70 to the data control means 10 or executes data input / output. Data is written from the control means 10 to the database 70.

When the attribute values of a certain object are managed on the database 70, they are generally used as values of data items (hereinafter referred to as schema items) designated by parameters depending on the structure of the database.
Is stored in On the other hand, when inputting and outputting attribute values of objects using a data input / output device, they are expressed as values corresponding to input / output items. By the way, it is sufficient that these input / output items and schema items are uniquely associated with the object to which the attribute value that they point to and the attribute, and the format that reflects the object type, the attribute itself, and the object structure Need not be. For example, one object may be stored across a plurality of databases.

The data input / output device presents data on the database 70 read by the database input / output means 40 by designating schema items to the user of the apparatus as data corresponding to the output items by the screen control means 20. It can be said that the input control unit 30 receives data input by the apparatus user with respect to the input items presented by the control unit 20 and outputs the data to the database 70 as values for the schema items by the database input / output unit 40.

Therefore, the data input / output device requires a means for associating an input / output item on the data input / output device indicating an attribute value of a certain attribute of the same object with a schema item on the database.

The conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. 6 associates input / output items with schema items by data control means 1.
This is an example in which the setting is fixed at 0.

Another conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG.
0 to 40, but the data control means 10 does not hold the parameters of the schema items and fixedly associate them with each other. Instead, the correspondence between the input / output items on the screen and the schema items on the database is changed. It has a definition management means 50 for managing definitions.

The data input / output device shown in FIG. 7 holds the definition of the correspondence between input / output items and schema items in the definition management means 50, and refers to the definition when the data control means 10 performs control. , These correspondences are variable.

Another conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. 8 is a system in which these correspondences are made variable by a function on the database side instead of the data input / output device, and are called a distributed database system. In this method, the database input / output means is the same as the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. 6, but the database side has unique data items on a virtual database including all databases,
Definition of the correspondence between the data and the data items on the database where it is actually stored (called a data dictionary)
Management means 50 for holding and managing the data and the data input / output command received from the data input / output device.
According to the above definition, there is provided a database distribution means 60 which converts the data into a data input / output command for a database in which data is actually stored and executes the command for the database.

In the distributed database system, a plurality of databases are converted from a data input / output device by converting the specification of a schema item for a virtual database into a schema item for a database in which data is actually stored by these means. It provides a function that makes it look like one database equivalently when viewed. The relationship between the input / output items in the data I / O device and the schema items on the virtual database is fixed, but the relationship between the schema items on the database where the data is actually stored can be changed by definition It is.

[0015]

Conventionally, data input / output devices are often developed exclusively for a relatively small number of specific objects, and the frequency of changing input / output items and the schema of a database is low. A method of fixedly associating input / output items with schema items, such as the data input / output device described above, has been adopted. However, this method has a problem that all data input / output devices must be modified when input / output items and the schema of the database are changed.

To solve this problem, as in the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. 7, the correspondence between input / output items on the data input / output device and schema items on the database is made variable by definition. Have been proposed. In this method, changes in input / output items and changes in the schema of the database can be easily handled by changing the definition.

However, in this method, since the database input / output means 40 and the definition management means 50 are provided for each data input / output device, when the database itself is changed or the input / output items or the schema of the database are changed, the database input / output means 40 and the definition schema are changed. There is a problem in that the input / output means 40 must be remodeled or the definition must be changed for all data input / output devices.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the distributed database system is adopted on the database side, the actual database configuration is hidden from the data input / output device side, so that the conventional data input system shown in FIG. By combining with an output device, it is possible in principle to respond to changes in input / output items and the schema of the database.

However, in the distributed database system, since each database needs to be integrated by a common distributed database system, it is difficult to integrate an unsupported existing database.
In addition, since the definition management unit 50 needs to perform centralized management so that definitions are unique for all databases, even if some databases are changed, be sure to maintain consistency with other databases. There is a problem that the load of definition management is large, for example, Furthermore, this method does not solve the problem that input / output items must be changed for each data input / output device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
Its purpose is to make the relationship between the input and output items and the schema items on the database variable by defining them using the type and attribute of the object to which the data belongs, making the database structure flexible. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data input / output method and apparatus for reducing the load of definition management and a recording medium on which a data input / output program is recorded.

[0021]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an object comprising a set of one or more attributes and attribute values, which is a data set identified by a type and an identifier. When managing attribute values on a database, input / output items are presented to the device user.When outputting, data on the database corresponding to the output items are read from the database and presented to the device user. Is a data input / output method for writing data input by the device user into a database as data corresponding to the input items, wherein an object management means is provided for each type of object, and the object management means is provided with a given object identifier. At the time of input, based on the attribute and the attribute, a command to write the data given as the attribute value of the attribute of the object to the database. Outputs, at the output outputs an instruction to read data stored in the database in correspondence with the attribute of the object, returns the obtained data as the attribute values for the attribute of the object,
Object management for holding the definition of the correspondence between the input / output items presented to the device user and the types and attributes of the objects to which the data indicated by the input / output items belong, and managing the objects based on the types of the objects The position of the means is determined by the position management means, and in accordance with the definition of the correspondence, the data distribution means communicates with the object management means for managing the object corresponding to the given input / output item. The obtained data is output to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. At the time of output, the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item is obtained from the object management means. Input and output items to be presented to the device user and the attribute value data on the database. With inputs and outputs by associating with each other through the type and attributes of the set and the object identifier of an object belonging in the data, and summarized in that a variable both relationships by changing the definition.

According to the present invention, according to the definition of the correspondence between the input / output items held by the definition management means and the types and attributes of the objects to which the data indicated by the input / output items belong. It communicates with the object management means for managing the object corresponding to the input / output item, and at the time of input, outputs the data given together with the input item to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. Obtains and returns the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item from the object management means, and the object management means provided for each type of object is given as the attribute value of the attribute of the object at the time of input. Outputs an instruction to write data to the database, and outputs the data according to the attribute of the object. In order to output a command to read data stored on the object and return the obtained data as an attribute value for the attribute of the object, input / output items to be presented to the device user and attribute value data on the database are input. A flexible system is constructed by making the input / output, and by changing the definition, making the relationship between the two variable by associating them with each other via the object type and attribute set and the object identifier to which the data indicated by the output item belongs. can do.

Further, the present invention described in claim 2 is the same as the claim 1.
In the invention described in the gist, the gist is that the definition management means also holds the definition of the presentation format of the input / output item to be presented to the device user and uses the definition to present the input / output item to the device user.

Further, the present invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
In the invention described above, the gist is that the definition management means also holds constraint information for input / output of input / output data to / from an object and uses the information for processing input data of a device user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the definition management means stores a plurality of types and attributes of an object corresponding to one input / output item, so that an input of a device user can be made. The gist is that data can be input to a plurality of objects at the same time.

Further, the present invention described in claim 5 is the same as claim 2.
In the described invention, the input / output item name, display position, display color,
One of an icon, a list of choices, or a default value
The point is to specify at least one.

Further, the present invention according to claim 6 provides the present invention as claimed in claim 3.
In the described invention, as constraint information when inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object, it is specified that at least one of input necessity, input / output permission, input data type, and input data restriction is specified. Make a summary.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, an input / output screen to be presented to the device user is generated as a presentation format of the input / output items to be presented to the device user. The point is to specify a program for checking the suitability of input data for constraints.

The present invention described in claim 8 provides the present invention according to claim 3.
In the invention described above, a program for generating an input / output screen to be presented to a device user as constraint information when inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object, and checking compatibility with the constraint condition of the input data of the device user. It is assumed that it is specified.

Further, the present invention described in claim 9 is based on claim 4.
In the invention described in the above, when input data of a device user is simultaneously input to attributes of a plurality of types of objects corresponding to one input / output item held in the definition management means, transactional properties between objects are improved. The point is to guarantee.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for managing attribute values of an object which is a data set identified by a type and an identifier, comprising one or more pairs of attributes and attribute values on a database. The input / output items are presented to the user, and at the time of output, the data on the database corresponding to the output items are read from the database and presented to the device user, and at the time of input, the data input by the device user is input to the input item. A data input / output device having a function of writing to a database as corresponding data, provided for each type of object, and given as an attribute value of the attribute of the object at the time of input based on a given object identifier and attribute. Outputs an instruction to write data to the database, and saves it on the database according to the attribute of the object at the time of output Object management means for outputting a command to read the stored data and returning the obtained data as an attribute value for the attribute of the object, an input / output item to be presented to the device user, and an attribute of the data indicated by the input / output item Definition management means for holding the definition of the correspondence between the type of object and the attribute to be performed, position management means for determining the position of the object management means for managing the object from the type of object, and Communicating with the object management means for managing the object corresponding to the input / output item,
At the time of input, the data provided together with the input item is output to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. At the time of output, the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item is output. Data distribution means obtained and returned from the object management means,
Input / output is performed by associating the input / output items presented to the device user with the attribute value data on the database via the type of the object to which the data indicated by the input / output item belongs, the set of attributes, and the identifier of the object. In addition, the gist is to make the relationship between the two variable by changing the definition.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, according to the definition of the correspondence between the input / output items held by the definition management means and the types and attributes of the objects to which the data indicated by the input / output items belong. It communicates with the object management means for managing the object corresponding to the input / output item, and at the time of input, outputs the data given together with the input item to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. Obtains and returns the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item from the object management means, and the object management means provided for each type of object is given as the attribute value of the attribute of the object at the time of input. Outputs an instruction to write data to the database, and outputs the data according to the attribute of the object. Outputting an instruction to read the data stored on over scan, to return the resulting data as the attribute values for the attribute of the object, the attribute value data on input items and database to be presented to the device user,
A flexible system is constructed by performing input / output by associating with each other via the type of object to which the data indicated by the input / output item belongs and the attribute set and the object identifier, and changing the definition to change the relationship between the two. can do.

The present invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the definition management means also holds the definition of the presentation format of the input / output items to be presented to the device user. It is used to present input / output items to the server.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the definition management means also holds constraint information for input / output of input / output data to / from an object, and stores the information. The gist is to use it for processing of input data.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the definition management means stores a plurality of types and attributes of an object corresponding to one input / output item, so that an input of an apparatus user can be made. The gist is that data can be input to a plurality of objects at the same time.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the input / output item name, display position, display color, icon, option, The gist is that one or more of the list and the default value are specified.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twelfth aspect, the input information, the input and output permissions, and the input data The point is that at least one of the type and the restriction of the input data is specified.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, an input / output screen to be presented to the device user is generated as a presentation format of the input / output item to be presented to the device user. The point is to specify a program for checking the suitability of input data for constraints.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, an input / output screen to be presented to a device user is generated as constraint information when inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object. The gist of the present invention is to specify a program for checking conformity of input data of a device user with respect to constraints.

Further, according to the present invention, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, an apparatus is used for attributes of a plurality of types of objects corresponding to one input / output item held in the definition management means. The point is to guarantee transactionality between objects when simultaneously inputting user input data.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, when managing the attribute value of an object which is a data set identified by a type and an identifier, comprising one or more sets of attributes and attribute values, on a database, The input / output items are presented to the user, and at the time of output, the data on the database corresponding to the output items are read from the database and presented to the device user, and at the time of input, the data input by the device user is input to the input item. A recording medium storing a data input / output program to be written into a database as corresponding data, wherein an object management means is provided for each type of object, and based on a given object identifier and attribute, the object management means Outputting an instruction to write data given as an attribute value of the attribute of the object on a database; At the time, an instruction to read data stored in the database corresponding to the attribute of the object is output, and the obtained data is returned as an attribute value for the attribute of the object, and an input / output item to be presented to the device user The definition management unit holds the definition of the correspondence between the object and the type of the object to which the data pointed to by the input / output item belongs, and the position management unit determines the position of the object management unit that manages the object from the type of the object. According to the definition of the correspondence, the data distribution unit communicates with the object management unit that manages the object corresponding to the given input / output item, and at the time of inputting, assigns the given data along with the input item to the input item. Output to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object to be The attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the output item obtained is obtained and returned from the object management means, and the input / output item presented to the device user and the attribute value data on the database belong to the data indicated by the input / output item. The gist of the present invention is that input and output are performed by associating objects with each other through a set of object types and attributes and object identifiers, and the relationship between the two is made variable by changing the definition.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, according to the definition of the correspondence between the input / output items held by the definition management means and the types and attributes of the objects to which the data indicated by the input / output items belong. It communicates with the object management means for managing the object corresponding to the input / output item, and at the time of input, outputs the data given together with the input item to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. Obtains and returns the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item from the object management means, and the object management means provided for each type of object is given as the attribute value of the attribute of the object at the time of input. Outputs an instruction to write data to the database, and outputs the data according to the attribute of the object. An input / output item to be presented to the device user and attribute value data on the database, such as outputting a command to read data stored on the source, and returning the obtained data as an attribute value for the attribute of the object, are output. Input / output is performed by associating the data indicated by the input / output items with the type and attribute of the object to which the data belongs and the identifier of the object, and the relationship between the two is made variable by changing the definition. Since the output program is recorded on the recording medium, the distribution can be improved by using the recording medium.

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input / output device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The data input / output device shown in FIG. 1 presents input / output items to the device user, reads data from a database corresponding to the output items from the database at the time of output, and presents the data to the device user. A data input / output device having a function of writing data input by a user to a database as data corresponding to the input items, and is connected to a display device 101 such as a display or the like, and is a screen control for outputting information to the display device. Means 120, an input control means 130 connected to an input device 103 composed of a keyboard and the like to input information from the input device, a data control means 110, a data distribution means 180, a definition management means 160, a position management means 1
70, object management means 150, database 10
5 comprises a database input / output means 140 for inputting / outputting information to / from the server 5.

The object management means 150 is provided for each type of object. Based on the given object identifier and attribute, at the time of input, there is provided an instruction for writing data given as the attribute value of the attribute of the object on the database. At the time of output, an instruction to read data stored in the database corresponding to the attribute of the object is output, and the obtained data is returned as an attribute value of the attribute of the object.

The definition management means 160 holds the definition of the correspondence between the input / output items to be presented to the device user and the types and attributes of the objects to which the data indicated by the input / output items belong. The position management means 170 is an object management means 15 for managing the object based on the type of the object.
Determine the position of 0.

The data distribution means 180 communicates with the object management means 150 for managing the object corresponding to the given input / output item according to the definition of the correspondence, and when inputting, the given data along with the input item The attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the item is output to the object management unit 150, and at the time of output, the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item is obtained from the object management unit 150 and returned.

In order to use the input / output items for the device user, the definition management means 160 also holds the definition of the presentation format of the input / output items to be presented to the device user. Further, in order to use the data for processing the input data of the device user, the definition management means 160 also holds constraint information for input / output of input / output data to / from the object.

Further, in order to allow the input data of the device user to be set to a plurality of objects at the same time, the definition management means 160 holds a plurality of object types and attributes corresponding to one input / output item. The input / output item name, display position, display position, and the like are stored in the definition management unit 160 and presented as input / output items to be presented to the device user.
Use at least one of display color, icon, list of choices, and default value.

The constraint management means 160 holds the input / output data as input / output data to / from the object.
Use at least one of input data type and input data constraint.

The input / output items held by the definition management means 160 and presented to the device user as the presentation format of input / output items to be presented to the device user or as constraint information when inputting / outputting input / output data to / from the object. Generate a screen,
A program is used to check whether the input data of the device user conforms to the constraints.

When input data of the device user is simultaneously input to the attributes of a plurality of types of objects which are held in the definition management means 160 and correspond to one input / output item, the data distribution means 180 Guarantees transactionality in.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the correspondence between the input / output items on the data input / output device and the schema items on the database is not fixed as in the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. Indirectly through a set of the type and attribute of the object to which the data pointed to by belongs. Therefore, even if the input / output items and the schema of the database are changed, the definition management means 16
0, the correspondence between the input / output items and the types and attributes of the objects and the correspondence between the attributes of the objects and the schema items on the database in the object management means 150 can be flexibly supported. .

Since the relationship between the schema items on the database and the types and attributes of the objects is held by the object management means 150 provided for each object, even if these relationships are changed, the conventional FIG.
It is not necessary to change all the data input / output devices as in the data input / output device shown in FIG.

On the other hand, since the data distribution means 180 may be provided for each group (for example, the same department in charge) using the common definition, the correspondence between input / output items and object types and attributes has been changed. Even in this case, it is not necessary to change all the data input / output devices as in the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG.
Can be dealt with simply by changing.

Furthermore, since the database structure is hidden for each object management unit, it is not necessary to integrate all databases with a common distributed database as in the distributed database method, and a flexible database configuration can be adopted. Therefore, it is easy to cope with the existing database. Further, since the uniqueness of the data is sufficient if it is guaranteed for each object management means, there is no load of centralized management as in the distributed database system.

In addition to the above, the definition management means 160 also holds the presentation format of input / output items to be presented to the device user and constraint information for inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object, and controls the screen control and the By using it to control the input data of the device user, not only the correspondence between input / output items and object types and attributes, but also
The restrictions on the screen display format and input data can also be obtained by simply changing the definition held in the definition management unit 160.
It can be easily handled. In addition, the definition management unit 160 stores a plurality of correspondences between the types and attributes of objects for one input / output item, thereby allowing input data for one input item to be input to a plurality of objects at the same time. Construction is possible.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data input / output device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The data input / output device shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of terminal units 210 including a screen control unit 120 connected to the display device 101, an input control unit 130 connected to the input device 103, and a data control unit 110; A data distribution unit 220 comprising means 180, a definition management means 160, and a location management means 170; a database input / output means 140 for inputting / outputting information to / from the object management means 150;
5 is provided with a plurality of data object units 230 provided corresponding to.

One or more data distribution units 220 are provided for one or more terminal units 210, and the data object unit 2
A plurality 30 is provided for each type of object. Also, between the data control unit 110 of the terminal unit 210 and the data distribution unit 180 of the data distribution unit 220 and between the data distribution unit 180 of the data distribution unit 220 and the object management unit 150 of the data object unit 230, It is assumed that appropriate communication means such as a LAN and a WAN are provided in accordance with the installation location.

In FIG. 2, the definition management means 160 stores the definition of the relationship between the input / output items and the object types and attributes in an external storage device or the like, and
In response to the request of 0, the type and attribute of the object corresponding to the input / output item are returned. It is assumed that the stored definition can be changed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the definition used in this embodiment and the correspondence between the input and output screens. In this embodiment, definitions are managed using a database, and for each input / output item, FIG.
The definition shall be retained in the format shown in. Further, in the present embodiment, a search is performed by using a tabular input / output screen including input / output items and input / output data and specifying a definition ID assigned to each input / output screen to perform a search. It is assumed that the definitions corresponding to all the input / output items can be obtained.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the definition of the item having the item number 0001 in the definition having the definition ID of 0001. The display position is specified by (row, column) on the table. This item is an input / output item indicated by the label “sex” in (1, 1), and the input / output data is character string data input or displayed at the position (1, 2). “Options” are selection candidates presented to the apparatus user when the screen is displayed. In this example, two character strings “male” and “female” are displayed, and can be selected and input by the input unit. If only one value is set for the “option”, that value is set as a default value (a value that is presented in advance at the data input position and is treated as input data unless changed by the user of the device). Shall be treated. Further, the fact that the value of the “indispensability” is “true” indicates that the entry of this item is mandatory at the time of data entry, and that the entry screen cannot be terminated if there is no entry.

The correspondence between input / output data and objects is 2
The attribute corresponds to the attribute “gender” of the object 1 of the type “employee” and the attribute “gender” of the object 2 of the type “union member”. At the time of output, output data is read from the object 1 and at the time of input, input data is simultaneously written to the objects 1 and 2. The “permission” for each object is “RW”, indicating that both input and output of data to and from the object are possible. In addition, "RO" indicates that only reading is possible, and "WO" indicates that reading and writing can be performed only once.
Etc. can be specified.

The position managing means 170 is a data distribution means 18
0 based on the type of the specified object, and information on the communication position of the data object part managing the object (for example, in the case of communication by TCP / IP,
The IP address of the host on which the data object section is running, etc.) is returned to the data distribution means 180. Note that the position information is changed according to a change in the position of the data object portion.
It can be reset. Also, the position management means 17
0 can be provided for each data distribution unit, or one location management unit can be provided for a plurality of data distribution units.

The data distribution means 180 is the data control means 1
When the input / output item, identifier, and input data at the time of input are received from the input device 10, the input / output item is given to the definition management means 160 to obtain the corresponding object type and attribute, and the position management means 170 is given the object type. Then, the position information of the object management unit 150 that manages the object is obtained, and the identifier and the attribute and the input data at the time of input are given to the object management unit 150 to instruct input / output. Further, at the time of output, the data returned by the object management means 150 in response to the output instruction is returned to the data control means 110. Also, when data is input, the definition management means 1
When there are a plurality of object types and attributes corresponding to the input / output items received from 60, data input is instructed to a plurality of object management means 150 for managing them, and an existing algorithm such as two-phase commitment is used. Thus, transactionality between the objects is guaranteed.

The object management means 150 generates a command for inputting / outputting data on the database 105 based on the object identifier and attribute received from the data distribution means 180 and input data at the time of input, and outputs the command to the database input / output means 140 Then, the data returned by the database input / output unit 140 is returned to the data distribution unit 180. The conversion between the attribute of the object and the schema item on the database is performed in a fixed manner as in the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. As in the case of the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the data control means 11
0 has a procedure of outputting a list of input / output items and data corresponding to the input / output items to the device user or acquiring the data from the device user, and according to the list and the procedure, the screen control means 120, the input control means 130 , And input / output control of the input / output items and the data corresponding to the input / output items. The screen control means 120 generates an output screen for presenting output items and corresponding output data to the device user or an input screen for presenting input items and requesting input of corresponding data, and a display device (display or the like). Output to 101. The input control means 130 acquires data input by an apparatus user from an input device (such as a keyboard) and stores the data in a temporary storage device. The database input / output unit 140 executes an instruction to input / output data to / from the database 105, and outputs data read from the database 105 to the object management unit 150 or data input from the object management unit 150 to the database 105. Write it out.

The data control means 110 has the same function as the data control means 10 of the conventional data input / output device shown in FIG. 6, except that the schema items are not output to the database input / output means but to the data distribution means. It differs from the data control means 10 in that input / output items are output to the means 180. Also, as a list of input / output items and the presentation procedure,
It is assumed that the apparatus has a definition ID of the input / output screen described in FIG. 3 and a procedure for presenting the definition ID to the apparatus user. Furthermore,
In the present embodiment, the data control unit 110 obtains the display format of the input / output item from the definition management unit 160, and gives the function to the screen control unit 120 as a parameter for generating the screen, and inputs / outputs the input / output data to / from the object. It has a function of obtaining the above constraint information and checking the constraint compatibility of the input data of the device user.

Next, the outline of the data input processing by the apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in the terminal unit 210, the data control unit 1
In accordance with a list of input / output items held and a presentation procedure, the screen control means 120 generates a screen prompting input by presenting input items and identifiers to the device user, and outputs the screen to the display device 101 (step S1). . Note that the identifier does not necessarily need to be presented by the data input / output device, but is determined by some method, such as input by the device user, depending on the application that uses the data input / output device.

The data control means 110 receives data input by the user from the input device 103 such as a keyboard through the input control means 130 (step S2). The data control unit 110 transmits the input data, the input item, and the identifier to the data distribution unit 180, and instructs input (step S3).

Next, in the data distribution unit 220, the data distribution unit 180 receives an input instruction, input data, an input item, and an identifier from the data control unit 110 (step S4). The data distribution unit 180 provides the input item to the definition management unit 160, and receives the type and attribute of the object defined corresponding to the input item (Step S5).

The data distribution unit 180 gives the type of the object to the position management unit 170, and receives the communication position information of the corresponding object management unit 150 (step S6). Then, the data distribution unit 180 transmits the input data, the attribute, and the identifier to the object management unit 150, and for the attribute of the object having the identifier,
An instruction is given to set the input data as an attribute value (step S7).

Next, in the data object section 230, the object management means 150
From 0, an attribute value setting command and input data, attributes, and identifiers are received (step S8). Then, the object management unit 150 determines a schema item corresponding to the attribute and the identifier, and outputs a database input command for writing the input data to the schema item to the database 105 via the database input / output unit 140 to register the database. Is performed (step S9).

The return value indicating the success or failure of data input is:
From database 105 to database input / output means 14
0, object management means 150, data distribution means 18
0, the data is returned to the data control means 110, and the success or failure is presented to the device user as necessary.

Next, the outline of the data output processing by the apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in the terminal unit 210, the data control unit 1
According to the list of input / output items and the presentation procedure, the output unit 10 sends output items and identifiers to the data distribution unit 180, requests output data, and waits for data to be returned from the data distribution unit 180 (step S11). . Note that the identifier is determined by some method, such as input by the user of the device, depending on the application using the data input / output device.

Next, in the data distribution unit 220, the data distribution unit 180 receives an output command, an output item, and an identifier from the data control unit 110 (step S1).
2). The data distribution unit 180 provides the output item to the definition management unit 160, and receives the type and attribute of the object defined corresponding to the output item (step S1).
3).

Next, the data distribution unit 180 gives the type of the object to the position management unit 170, and receives the communication position information of the corresponding object management unit 150 (step S14). The data distribution unit 180 transmits the attribute and the identifier to the object management unit 150, instructs the object management unit 150 to return the attribute value data of the attribute of the object of the identifier, and waits for the data to be returned from the object management unit 150 (step S15).

Next, in the data object section 230, the object management means 150
From 0, an attribute value reference instruction, an attribute, and an identifier are received (step S16). The object management means 150 determines a schema item corresponding to the attribute and the identifier, and issues a database output command for reading data of the schema item to the database 10 via the database input / output means 140.
5, the database is referenced to obtain output data (step S17). The object management unit 150 returns the output data to the data distribution unit 180 as a return value for the attribute value reference command (step S1).
8).

Next, in the data distribution section 220, the data distribution section 180 obtains output data from the object management section 150 (step S19). Data distribution means 1
80 returns the output data to the data control means 110 as a return value for the output instruction (step S20).

Next, in the terminal unit 210, the data control means 110 obtains output data from the data distribution means 180 (step S21). The data control means 110 generates an output screen for presenting the output data, the output items, and the identifier to the device user in the screen control means 120, and
01 (step S22).

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The correspondence between the input / output items on the data input / output device and the schema items on the database can be indirectly performed via a set of the type and attribute of the object to which the data indicated by the input / output item belongs. Among them, the correspondence between the schema items on the database and the object types and attributes is determined by the object management means provided for each object, while the correspondence between the input / output items and the object types and attributes is determined by the data distribution means. It is locally managed by definition management means provided for each. Further, the structure of the database is hidden in each object management unit. Therefore, (1) Even if the input / output items and the schema of the database are changed, the definition of the correspondence between the input / output items and the types and attributes of the objects or the correspondence between the attributes of the objects and the schema items on the database is changed. Just by doing, you can respond flexibly.

(2) When changing the relationship between the schema item on the database and the type and attribute of the object,
This can be dealt with by changing only the corresponding object management means.

(3) When the correspondence between the input / output items and the types and attributes of the objects is changed, it can be dealt with by changing only the relevant definition management means.

(4) It is not necessary to integrate all databases with a common distributed database as in the distributed database system, and it is possible to adopt a flexible database configuration and to easily cope with an existing database. Also, there is no load of centralized management.

The definition management means also holds the presentation format of input / output items to be presented to the device user and constraint information for inputting / outputting input / output data to / from the object, and controls the screen control and the device user, respectively. It is possible to cope with a change in the format of the screen display and a change in the restriction on the input data only by changing the definition by using the control of the input data.

Further, the definition management means holds a plurality of correspondences between object types and attributes for one input / output item, so that input data for one input item is simultaneously input to a plurality of objects. System construction is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data input / output device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship definition between an input / output item, an object type and an attribute used in the embodiment of FIG. 2, and a correspondence with an input / output screen;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data input operation in the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a data output operation in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional data input / output device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another conventional data input / output device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional distributed database system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 105 database 110 data control means 120 screen control means 130 input control means 140 database input / output means 150 object management means 160 definition management means 170 position management means 180 data distribution means

Claims (19)

[Claims] Claims: 1. An apparatus comprising one or more attribute and attribute value pairs,
When managing attribute values of objects, which are data sets identified by types and identifiers, on a database, input / output items are presented to the device user, and on output, data on the database corresponding to the output items is stored in the database. A data input / output method for reading data from the device and presenting the data to the device user, and when inputting, writing data input by the device user to a database as data corresponding to the input items. An object management means is provided for each type of object. ,
The object management means outputs an instruction to write data given as an attribute value of the attribute of the object on the database at the time of input based on the given object identifier and attribute, and at the time of output, corresponds to the attribute of the object. And outputs an instruction to read the data stored in the database, and returns the obtained data as an attribute value for the attribute of the object. The input / output item to be presented to the device user and the data indicated by the input / output item The definition of the correspondence between the type of the object to which the object belongs and the attribute is held by the definition management unit, and the position of the object management unit that manages the object is determined by the position management unit based on the type of the object. , The data distribution means stores the object corresponding to the given input / output item When inputting, the data provided together with the input item is output to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. The attribute value of the attribute of the corresponding object is obtained and returned from the object management means, and the input / output items to be presented to the device user and the attribute value data in the database are converted to the type and attribute of the object to which the data indicated by the input / output item belongs. A data input / output method, wherein input / output is performed by associating the two with each other via a set of objects and object identifiers, and the relationship between the two is made variable by changing the definition. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said definition management means also holds a definition of a presentation format of an input / output item to be presented to a device user and uses the definition to present the input / output item to the device user. 1. The data input / output method according to 1. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said definition management means also holds constraint information for inputting and outputting input / output data to and from the object and uses the information for processing input data of a device user. Data input / output method. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the definition management means stores a plurality of object types and attributes corresponding to one input / output item so that input data of a device user can be simultaneously input to a plurality of objects. Claim 1
Data input / output method described. 5. A method for designating at least one of an input / output item name, a display position, a display color, an icon, a list of options, and a default value as a presentation format of an input / output item to be presented to a device user. 3. The data input / output method according to claim 2, wherein 6. The constraint information for inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object specifies that at least one of input necessity, input / output permissions, input data type, and input data restriction is specified. The data input / output method according to claim 3, wherein: 7. A program for generating an input / output screen to be presented to the device user as a presentation format of input / output items to be presented to the device user, and designating a program for checking the compatibility of the input data of the device user with the constraints. 3. The data input / output method according to claim 2, wherein: 8. A program for generating an input / output screen to be presented to a device user as constraint information when inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object, and checking a conformity of the input data of the device user with respect to a constraint condition. 4. The data input / output method according to claim 3, wherein the data is specified. 9. When a plurality of types of object attributes corresponding to one input / output item held in the definition management means are simultaneously input with the device user's input data, transaction characteristics between the objects are improved. 5. The data input / output method according to claim 4, wherein the method is guaranteed. 10. When managing attribute values of an object which is a data set composed of one or more attribute and attribute value sets and identified by a type and an identifier on a database,
The input / output items are presented to the device user. At the time of output, data on the database corresponding to the output items is read from the database and presented to the device user. At the time of input, the data input by the device user is inputted. A data input / output device having a function of writing to a database as data corresponding to an object, provided for each type of object, and given as an attribute value of the attribute of the object at the time of input based on a given object identifier and attribute. And outputs a command to read data stored in the database corresponding to the attribute of the object, and outputs the obtained data to the attribute corresponding to the attribute of the object. Object management means returned as a value, input / output items presented to the device user, A definition management unit that holds a definition of a correspondence relationship between an object type and an attribute to which data indicated by an output item belongs; a position management unit that determines a position of the object management unit that manages the object from the type of the object; According to the definition of the correspondence relationship, it communicates with an object management means for managing an object corresponding to a given input / output item, and at the time of input, gives the given data together with the input item as an attribute value of an attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. Data distribution means for outputting to the object management means, and at the time of output, obtaining and returning the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the given output item from the object management means, and presenting the input / output to the device user Item and attribute value data on the database are converted to the object to which the data pointed to by the input / output item belongs. A data input / output device for performing input / output by associating them with each other via a set of object types and attributes and an object identifier, and changing the definition by changing the definition. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said definition management means also holds a definition of a presentation format of an input / output item to be presented to the device user, and uses the definition to present the input / output item to the device user. 11. The data input / output device according to 10. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said definition management means also holds constraint information for input / output of input / output data to / from an object and uses the information for processing input data of a device user. Data input / output device. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the definition management means holds a plurality of object types and attributes corresponding to one input / output item, thereby enabling input data of a device user to be simultaneously input to a plurality of objects. The data input / output device according to claim 10, wherein 14. An input / output item name, a display position, a display color, an icon, a list of choices, and a default value are specified as a presentation format of an input / output item to be presented to a device user. The data input / output device according to claim 11, wherein 15. The constraint information for inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object specifies that at least one of input necessity, input / output permissions, input data type, and input data restriction is specified. 13. The data input / output device according to claim 12, wherein: 16. A program for generating an input / output screen to be presented to the device user as a presentation format of input / output items to be presented to the device user, and designating a program for checking the compatibility of the input data of the device user with the constraints. The data input / output device according to claim 11, wherein 17. A program for generating an input / output screen to be presented to a device user as constraint information when inputting / outputting input / output data to / from an object, and checking a conformity of the input data of the device user with respect to a constraint condition. 13. The data input / output device according to claim 12, wherein the data is specified. 18. When simultaneously inputting input data of a device user with respect to attributes of a plurality of types of objects corresponding to one input / output item held in the definition management means, the transactionality between the objects is improved. 14. The data input / output device according to claim 13, wherein the data input / output is guaranteed. 19. When managing an attribute value of an object which is a data set composed of one or more attribute and attribute value pairs and identified by a type and an identifier on a database,
The input / output items are presented to the device user. At the time of output, data on the database corresponding to the output items is read from the database and presented to the device user. At the time of input, the data input by the device user is inputted. A recording medium storing a data input / output program to be written into a database as data corresponding to the object, provided with object management means for each type of object,
The object management means outputs an instruction to write data given as an attribute value of the attribute of the object on the database at the time of input based on the given object identifier and attribute, and at the time of output, corresponds to the attribute of the object. And outputs an instruction to read the data stored in the database, and returns the obtained data as an attribute value for the attribute of the object. The input / output item to be presented to the device user and the data indicated by the input / output item The definition of the correspondence between the type of the object to which the object belongs and the attribute is held by the definition management unit, and the position of the object management unit that manages the object is determined by the position management unit based on the type of the object. , The data distribution means stores the object corresponding to the given input / output item When inputting, the data provided together with the input item is output to the object management means as the attribute value of the attribute of the object corresponding to the input item. The attribute value of the attribute of the corresponding object is obtained and returned from the object management means, and the input / output items to be presented to the device user and the attribute value data in the database are converted to the type and attribute of the object to which the data indicated by the input / output item belongs. A recording medium for recording a data input / output program, wherein input / output is performed by associating the data with each other via a set and an object identifier, and the relationship between the two is made variable by changing the definition.