Method and apparatus for access, integration, and analysis of heterogeneous data sources via the manipulation of metadata objects

Abstract

A computer-based method represents a subset of a dataset table of rows and columns. The method includes selecting a set of blocking variables corresponding to blocking columns of the dataset table. For each row in the dataset table, a tuple of values for the blocking columns uniquely identifies the row within the dataset table. The method also includes selecting a set of non-blocking variables that correspond to columns of the subset. The set of non-blocking variables does not intersect the set of blocking variables. The method also includes creating a block information structure that includes both the set of non-blocking variables and, for each blocking variable in the set of blocking variables, a set of values.

1 . A computer-based method of representing a subset of a dataset table of rows and columns, the method comprising: 
 selecting a set of blocking variables corresponding to blocking columns of the dataset table such that, for each row in the dataset table, a tuple of values for the blocking columns uniquely identifies the row within the dataset table;    selecting a set of non-blocking variables corresponding to columns of the subset, the set of non-blocking variables disjoint from the set of blocking variables; and    creating a block information structure that includes the set of non-blocking variables and that includes, for each blocking variable in the set of blocking variables, a set of values.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein for each row in the subset having a tuple of values for the blocking columns, the values of the tuple are included in the corresponding sets of values for the blocking variables.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subset of the dataset table includes the entire dataset table.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a sum of the number of elements in the set of non-blocking columns and in the sets of values for the blocking columns is linearly proportionate to an upper bound on binary storage requirements of the block information structure.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 storing the block information structure on a machine-readable medium.    
   
   
       6 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . An article comprising a machine-readable storage medium that stores executable instructions to represent a subset of a dataset table of rows and columns, the instructions causing a machine to: 
 select a set of blocking variables corresponding to blocking columns of the dataset table such that, for each row in the dataset table, a tuple of values for the blocking columns uniquely identifies the row within the dataset table;    select a set of non-blocking variables corresponding to columns of the subset, the set of non-blocking variables disjoint from the set of blocking variables; and    create a block information structure that includes the set of non-blocking variables and that includes, for each blocking variable in the set of blocking variables, a set of values.    
   
   
       25 . (canceled)