Kevin B Mayfield

US Patent:

7861239, Dec 28, 2010

Filed:

May 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/135097

Inventors:

Kevin B. Mayfield - Lenexa KS, US
Srinivasa Bhagavan - Overland Park KS, US
Nelson R. Corcoran - Oakland CA, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 9/44
G06F 9/445

US Classification:

717170, 717168, 717169

Abstract:

A system and method are used for updating software to include new versions of the software without losing the ability to return to the prior software in the event of flaws or deficiencies in the new version. A framework organizes conversion and reversion codes into major components responsible for conversion of the data entities. The components are ordered based on their dependence on other components first completing their conversions. Each component implements an interface allowing a framework to process sequentially through all components and sequentially retrieve handles for their respective entities, and accessing the version of the entity. The framework processes an ordered set of interfaces representing the conversion/reversion, checks for progressively newer versions. As data structures are changed for a single component, a new version is appended to that component's ordered set of version interfaces. Restart of a conversion or reversion following an interrupt is also provided.

US Patent:

57014531, Dec 23, 1997

Filed:

Jul 1, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/086001

Inventors:

Christopher W. Maloney - Overland Park KS
Brian D. Jackson - Belton MO
Kevin B. Mayfield - Lenexa KS
Mark A. Mills - Stillwell KS
Kent A. Tracy - Lenexa KS

Assignee:

Informix Software, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

395602

Abstract:

Logical schemas are used to allow an end user the ability to access and manipulate relational database data without knowledge of the structure of the relational database. A logical schema is first created specifying which tables are available to an end user, and the relationships between columns of those tables. The logical schema defines a structure for the data fields having a master level and a plurality of detail levels. An end user may manipulate the logical schema using a graphical interface to build customized forms, reports, and queries. An end user is not required to be familiar with a database query language, such as SQL, or the structure of the relational database.