System and Method for Creating and Using Computer Databases Having Schema Integrated Into Data Structure

Abstract

A symmetric objects database contains a plurality of data cells. Each data cell has a plurality of data fields which are the same or similar for each of the data cells. A first data cell is related or linked to a second data cell which is higher in database hierarchy than the first data cell. The linking is done through the classes field within the first data cell which contains the identifier of the second data cell. A third data cell is related or linked to a fourth data cell which is lower in database hierarchy than the second data cell. The linking is accomplished through the children field which contains the identifier of the fourth data cell. The data fields within each data cell provide for a schema which is integrated into the data structure.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for controlling business operations, comprising:
 collecting a data record related to assets and activities of a business entity;   storing and managing the data record related to the assets and activities on a computer by,
 (a) providing a plurality of linkable data cells, each linkable data cell including an identifier field, signature field, name field, value field, classes field, children field, versions field, user id field, date field, and control flag field, 
 (b) hashing the name field, value field, classes field, children field, versions field, user id field, date field, and control flag field to establish a value for the identifier field, 
 (c) relating a first linkable data cell to a second linkable data cell through the classes field in the first linkable data cell, wherein the second linkable data cell is higher in database hierarchy than the first linkable data cell, 
 (d) relating a third linkable data cell to a fourth linkable data cell through the children field in the third linkable data cell, wherein the fourth linkable data cell is lower in the database hierarchy than the third linkable data cell, and 
 (e) creating a fifth linkable data cell related to the second linkable data cell in the event that a value in the first linkable data cell changes and storing a value of the identifier field of the first linkable data cell in the versions field of the fifth linkable data cell; and 
   reporting the data record from the computer in a format to enable the business entity to control the business operations as pertaining to the assets and activities of the business entity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the classes field in the first linkable data cell contains the identifier of the second linkable data cell. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the children field in the third linkable data cell contains the identifier of the fourth linkable data cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the value field contains the data record. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including retaining the first linkable data cell after changing one or more of the name field, value field, classes field, children field, versions field, user id field, date field, and control flag field in the first linkable data cell. 
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling business operations, comprising:
 collecting a data record related to assets and activities of a business entity;   storing and managing the data record related to the assets and activities on a computer by,
 (a) providing a plurality of linkable data cells, each linkable data cell including an identifier field, signature field, name field, value field, classes field, children field, versions field, and date field, 
 (b) relating a first linkable data cell to a second linkable data cell through the classes field in the first linkable data cell, wherein the second linkable data cell is higher in database hierarchy than the first linkable data cell, 
 (c) relating a third linkable data cell to a fourth linkable data cell through the children field in the third linkable data cell, wherein the fourth linkable data cell is lower in the database hierarchy than the third linkable data cell, and 
 (d) creating a fifth linkable data cell related to the second linkable data cell in the event that a value in the first linkable data cell changes and storing a value of the identifier field of the first linkable data cell in the versions field of the fifth linkable data cell; and 
   reporting the data record from the computer in a format to enable the business entity to control the business operations as pertaining to the assets and activities of the business entity.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the classes field in the first linkable data cell contains the identifier of the second linkable data cell. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the children field in the third linkable data cell contains the identifier of the fourth linkable data cell. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the value field contains the data record. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further including hashing at least the signature field, name field, value field, classes field, children field, versions field, and date field as a value for the identifier field. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further including retaining the first linkable data cell after changing one or more of the name field, value field, classes field, children field, versions field, and date field in the first linkable data cell. 
     
     
         12 . A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having a computer readable program code embodied in a non-transitory computer usable medium for controlling business operations, comprising:
 collecting a data record related to assets and activities of a business entity;   storing and managing the data record related to the assets and activities on a computer by,
 (a) providing a plurality of linkable data cells, each linkable data cell including an identifier field, signature field, name field, value field, classes field, and children field, 
 (b) relating a first linkable data cell to a second linkable data cell through the classes field in the first linkable data cell, wherein the second linkable data cell is higher in database hierarchy than the first linkable data cell, and 
 (c) relating a third linkable data cell to a fourth linkable data cell through the children field in the third linkable data cell, wherein the fourth linkable data cell is lower in the database hierarchy than the third linkable data cell; and 
   reporting the data record from the computer in a format to enable the business entity to control the business operations as pertaining to the assets and activities of the business entity.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further including:
 providing a versions field in the plurality of linkable data cells; and   creating a fifth linkable data cell related to the second linkable data cell in the event that a value in the first linkable data cell changes and storing a value of the identifier field of the first linkable data cell in the versions field of the fifth linkable data cell.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further including retaining the first linkable data cell after changing one or more of the name field, value field, classes field, children field, and date field in the first linkable data cell. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the classes field in the first linkable data cell contains the identifier of the second linkable data cell. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the children field in the third linkable data cell contains the identifier of the fourth linkable data cell. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the value field contains the data record. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further including hashing at least the signature field, name field, value field, classes field, children field, and date field as a value for the identifier field. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further including providing a user id field and control flag field in the plurality of linkable data cells. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the assets and activities of the business operation includes records related to accounting, finances, banking, manufacturing, inventory, distribution, human resources, customer information, health care, medical, biotechnology, or government.