METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN A DATABASE

摘要

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for carrying out searches in a database (250, 260, 270) by means of a data processing system (130) is provided. The database includes a first plurality of first data items and a second plurality of second data items; the database is structured to enable a generic first data item to be in relationship with one or more second data items and vice versa. The method comprises based on the database, generating in an internal memory (240) of the data processing system at least one among a first data table structure (280) and a second data table structure (285). Each one among the first and second data table structures comprises a first data table (420; 520) comprising a plurality of elements each one corresponding to a respective first data item; the elements of the first data table are univocally identified by a respective first index, The first and second data table structures further comprise a second data table (410; 510) comprising a plurality of elements each one corresponding to a respective second data item; the elements of the second data table are univocally identified by a respective second index. The first and second data table structures still further comprise a third data table (430; 530) comprising a plurality of elements each one being in a univocal relationship with a respective element of the first data table and in a univocal relationship with a respective element of the second data table. The method further comprises receiving a search string (IS) comprising an identifier of a first data item or of a second data item. If the search string comprises an identifier of a first data item, the method further provides for accessing at least one element of the first data table based on the search string; accessing at least one element of the third data table corresponding to the accessed element of the first data table and retrieving from the accessed element of the third data table the second index of at least one corresponding element of the second data table; accessing the second data table using said second index for extracting a search result. If the search string comprises an identifier of a second data item, the method further comprises accessing at least one element of the second data table based on the search string; accessing at least one element of the third data table corresponding to the accessed element of the second data table and retrieving from the accessed element of the second data table the first index of at least one corresponding element of the first data element; accessing the first data table using said first index for extracting a search result.