System and method for XML based content management

Abstract

System and method for a content management system are described. The content management system takes complex hierarchically represented content structures and represents the hierarchical model by way of a relational model that creates node tables and edge tables to represent various content structures. Moreover, the content is separated from the structure such that the same content units may be used by multiple content structures.

1 . A method in a content management system for representing in a relational format content units arranged in a hierarchical order, comprising: 
 providing a first table comprising a column indicative of nodes corresponding to the structure of the hierarchical order;    providing a second table comprising a column indicative of edges corresponding to the arrangement of the structure of the hierarchical order;    relating the first table to the second table such that the structure of the hierarchical content can be derived therefrom; and    storing the content units and storing information indicative of the location of the storage of the content units.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising another table comprising columns indicative of leaf nodes in the hierarchical structure and columns for storing information indicative of the storage location of the content units.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 2  wherein the columns indicative of content point to files store in a file system.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a table indicative of ownership of content units.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the content units comprise at least one of text or graphics.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the hierarchical order corresponds to internal divisions of a document.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the internal document divisions comprise chapter headings of the document.  
   
   
       8 . A computer readable medium bearing computer-readable instructions for representing in a relational format content units arranged in a hierarchical order in a content management system, comprising: 
 computer-readable instructions for providing a first table comprising a column indicative of nodes corresponding to the structure of the hierarchical order;    computer-readable instructions for providing a second table comprising a column indicative of edges corresponding to the arrangement of the structure of the hierarchical order;    computer-readable instructions for relating the first table to the second table such that the structure of the hierarchical content can be derived therefrom; and    computer-readable instructions for storing the content units and storing information indicative of the location of the storage of the content units.    
   
   
       9 . The computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 8  further comprising computer readable instructions for accessing another table comprising columns indicative of leaf nodes in the hierarchical structure and columns for storing information indicative of the storage location of the content units.  
   
   
       10 . The computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 9  wherein the columns indicative of content point to files store in a file system.  
   
   
       11 . The computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 8  further comprising computer readable instructions for accessing a table indicative of ownership of content units.  
   
   
       12 . The computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 8  wherein the content units comprise at least one of text or graphics.  
   
   
       13 . The computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 8  wherein the hierarchical order corresponds to internal divisions of a document.  
   
   
       14 . The computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 13  wherein the internal document divisions comprise chapter headings of the document.  
   
   
       15 . A system for representing in a relational format content units arranged in a hierarchical order in a content management system, comprising: 
 at least one processor;    a memory coupled to said processor having processor executable instructions for providing a first table comprising a column indicative of nodes corresponding to the structure of the hierarchical order;    a memory coupled to said processor having processor executable instructions for providing a second table comprising a column indicative of edges corresponding to the arrangement of the structure of the hierarchical order;    a memory coupled to said processor having processor executable instructions for relating the first table to the second table such that the structure of the hierarchical content can be derived therefrom; and    a memory coupled to said processor having processor executable instructions for storing the content units and storing information indicative of the location of the storage of the content units.    
   
   
       16 . The system as recited in  claim 15  further comprising a memory coupled to said processor having processor executable instructions for accessing another table comprising columns indicative of leaf nodes in the hierarchical structure and columns for storing information indicative of the storage location of the content units.  
   
   
       17 . The system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the columns indicative of content point to files store in a file system.  
   
   
       18 . The system as recited in  claim 15  further comprising a memory coupled to said processor having processor executable instructions for accessing a table indicative of ownership of content units.  
   
   
       19 . The system as recited in  claim 18  wherein the content units comprise at least one of text or graphics.  
   
   
       20 . The system as recited in  claim 15  wherein the hierarchical order corresponds to internal divisions of a document.