Abstract classification field specification

Abstract

A method, system and article of manufacture for constructing queries that are executed against a database and, more particularly, for constructing queries capable of returning classified information related to data in a database. One embodiment includes receiving user input specifying a plurality of result fields for an abstract query. Each result field corresponds to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing the data in the database. The method further includes receiving user input selecting one of the plurality of result fields, and receiving user input specifying a classification definition for the selected result field. The classification definition is suitable for dividing data to be returned for the selected result field into a plurality of categories. Then, a classification field for the abstract query is generated on the basis of the selected result field and the classification definition. The classification field is included with the abstract query. The method further includes receiving a user request for execution of the abstract query against the database.

1 . A method of constructing abstract classification fields, comprising: 
 receiving user input specifying a logical field corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in a database, the logical field being associated with a specific set of the data;    receiving user input specifying a classification definition for the logical field, the classification definition being suitable for dividing the specific set of the data into a plurality of categories; and    generating a classification field on the basis of the logical field and the classification definition.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the generated classification field for user-selection.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 generating a data object including the classification field; and    storing the data object persistently.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 associating the classification field with an abstract query comprising one or more result fields for which data is to be returned from the database, each result field corresponding to a logical field specification of the data abstraction model.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 transforming the abstract query into an executable query for execution against the data in the database.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the executable query is an SQL query.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving user input specifying an abstract query comprising one or more result fields for which data is to be returned from the database, each result field corresponding to a logical field specification of the data abstraction model.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 receiving a user selection to perform the abstract query using the classification field;    including the classification field with the abstract query; and    generating an executable query on the basis of the abstract query and the included classification field.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 generating a data object comprising the abstract query and the classification field.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 displaying a user interface allowing user specification of the logical field and the classification definition.    
   
   
       10 . A method for constructing queries capable of returning classified information related to data in a database, the method comprising: 
 receiving user input specifying a plurality of result fields for an abstract query, each corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing the data in the database;    receiving user input selecting one of the plurality of result fields;    receiving user input specifying a classification definition for the selected result field, the classification definition being suitable for dividing data to be returned for the selected result field into a plurality of categories;    generating a classification field for the abstract query on the basis of the selected result field and the classification definition;    including the classification field with the abstract query; and    receiving a user request for execution of the abstract query against the database.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 transforming the abstract query into an executable query for execution against the data in the database.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the executable query is an SQL query.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 generating a data object comprising the classification field; and    storing the data object persistently.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 displaying a user interface allowing user selection of the selected result field; and    displaying a user interface allowing user specification of the classification definition.    
   
   
       15 . A method for executing queries capable of returning classified information related to data in a database, the method comprising: 
 receiving an abstract query including: 
 (i) a plurality of result fields, each corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing the data in the database; and  
 (ii) at least one classification field, the at least one classification field corresponding to a logical field of the data abstraction model being associated with a specific set of the data, each classification field having a corresponding classification definition for classifying the specific set of the data according to a plurality of categories; and  
   transforming the abstract query into a concrete query for execution against the database;    executing the concrete query against the database to obtain a query result; and    displaying the query result, wherein data obtained for the at least one classification field is classified according to the corresponding classification definition.    
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs a process of constructing abstract classification fields, the process comprising: 
 receiving user input specifying a logical field corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in a database, the logical field being associated with a specific set of the data;    receiving user input specifying a classification definition for the logical field, the classification definition being suitable for dividing the specific set of the data into a plurality of categories; and    generating a classification field on the basis of the logical field and the classification definition.    
   
   
       17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 generating a data object including the classification field; and    storing the data object persistently.    
   
   
       18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 associating the classification field with an abstract query comprising one or more result fields for which data is to be returned from the database, each result field corresponding to a logical field specification of the data abstraction model.    
   
   
       19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 transforming the abstract query into an executable query for execution against the data in the database.    
   
   
       20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein the executable query is an SQL query.  
   
   
       21 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 receiving user input specifying an abstract query comprising one or more result fields for which data is to be returned from the database, each result field corresponding to a logical field specification of the data abstraction model.    
   
   
       22 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 receiving a user selection to perform the abstract query using the classification field;    including the classification field with the abstract query; and    generating an executable query on the basis of the abstract query and the included classification field.    
   
   
       23 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 21 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 generating a data object comprising the abstract query and the classification field.    
   
   
       24 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 displaying a user interface allowing user specification of the logical field and the classification definition.    
   
   
       25 . A computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs a process for constructing queries capable of returning classified information related to data in a database, the process comprising: 
 receiving user input specifying a plurality of result fields for an abstract query, each corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing the data in the database;    receiving user input selecting one of the plurality of result fields;    receiving user input specifying a classification definition for the selected result field, the classification definition being suitable for dividing data to be returned for the selected result field into a plurality of categories;    generating a classification field for the abstract query on the basis of the selected result field and the classification definition;    including the classification field with the abstract query; and    receiving a user request for execution of the abstract query against the database.    
   
   
       26 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 transforming the abstract query into an executable query for execution against the data in the database.    
   
   
       27 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 26 , wherein the executable query is an SQL query.  
   
   
       28 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 generating a data object comprising the classification field; and    storing the data object persistently.    
   
   
       29 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the process further comprises: 
 displaying a user interface allowing user selection of the selected result field; and    displaying a user interface allowing user specification of the classification definition.    
   
   
       30 . A graphical user interface residing in memory, comprising: 
 a) a query specification display area for specifying result fields and operators to define an abstract query, each result field corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in a database, the data abstraction model comprising metadata for mapping the result fields to the data in the database;    b) a classification field specification display area for specifying classification fields for the abstract query, each classification field including a result field and an associated classification definition, the classification field specification display area comprising: 
 a result field window displaying a plurality of available result fields; and  
 a plurality of graphical elements configured to allow specification of classification definitions for one or more selected result fields from the plurality of available result fields, each classification definition being suitable for dividing data to be returned for a corresponding selected result field into a plurality of categories; and  
   c) a first selection element for specifying whether the specified classification fields will be included with the abstract query for execution; and    d) a second selection element for initiating execution of the abstract query according to the selection made using the first selection element.