Database processing method, apparatus for implementing same, and medium containing processing program therefor

Abstract

A database processing method for defining and operating data of file reference type which references a file. A column data insert request for specifying position information indicative of a storage location of a file and watch information for watching the file is received from a database client. A request for watching a file indicated by the position information is issued in accordance with the watch information. The position information and the watch information are stored in a database. The foregoing operations permit data in an external file placed outside a database to be treated as data equivalent to ordinary column data stored in the database to improve the integrity of the database.

1 . A database processing method for processing a database system which stores link information for linking data with a database, the data being stored on external of the database, said database processing method comprising the steps of: 
 designating, by a user, a timing at which information fetched in the database and concerning link destination data is synchronized with the link destination data; and    executing synchronization between the information and the link destination data at the timing designated by the user.    
   
   
       2 . The database processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of executing synchronization comprises the steps of: 
 checking whether the link destination data has been updated or not; and    if the link destination data has been updated, altering the information in the database concerning the link destination data in accordance with an update of the link destination data.    
   
   
       3 . A database processing method for processing a database system which stores link information for linking data with a database, the data being stored external of the database, the method comprising the steps of: 
 designating, by a user, a timing of making a correspondence relationship    between information fetched in the database concerning link destination data and the link destination data; and    executing making the correspondence relationship between the information and the link destination data at the timing designated by the user.    
   
   
       4 . A database processing method for processing a database system which stores link information for linking data with a database, the data being stored external of the database, the method comprising the steps of: 
 designating, by a user, a timing of making a correspondence relationship between information fetched in the database concerning link destination data and the link destination data; and    executing, by a file server which processes the database, making the correspondence relationship between the information and the link destination data at the timing designated by the user.