Multiple system compatible database system and method

摘要

A database system and method that is compatible with multiple end-use systems, even when changes and/or updates are made to the layout, format, and/or data content in the database. The database includes a structure section and a data section. The data section includes a plurality of stored data records that have one or more features. The structure section includes a feature mask that has data stored therein that indicates whether a particular one of the data records is compatible with one or more end-user systems.

主权项

1. A program product, comprising:
a) a database that is compatible with multiple end-user systems, the database comprising:
a data section comprising a plurality of data tables, each data table including a plurality of data records that each have one or more features that affect its compatibility with one or more of the end-user systems, each data record including a feature field that contains one or more feature bits representative of each of its features; anda structure section comprising a plurality of feature mask tables, each feature mask table including a feature mask record for each of the multiple end-user systems that use one or more of the data tables that include the data records having one or more features, each feature mask record including one or more feature mask values that indicate whether the one or more features of a data record are compatible with one or more of the end-user systems, and thereby indicate whether the data record is compatible with one or more of the end-user systems; and b) at least one physical computer-readable medium having said database stored thereon.