摘要 |
The present invention relates to a new database handling protocol for function changing of data from an old database (202) to a new database (204). The protocol solves those problems that occur when large quantities of data shall be converted from one database to another database. The new protocol is divided into different phases. A specification phase involves creating data which specifies the configuration of the new database (204). A declaration phase (A) involves creating conversion directives, writing these directives and inserting the directives into a conversion record storage block (208). A read-in phase (B) involves reading the conversion directives into an operating system (210). A read-out phase (C) involves reading data from the existing database into the operating system. A conversion phase (D) involves converting data in accordance with the conversion directives. An insertion phase (E) involves inserting converted data into the new database. The read-out, conversion and insertion phases are repeated until the whole of the database has been processed. The latter four phases are handled by the operating system (210). The new database is verified in a verification phase (F) to ascertain that the database is consistent. |