METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBJECT ORIENTED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF DATA FROM A RELATIONAL DATABASE TO IMPLEMENT A REAL TIME BILLING SYSTEM

摘要

Systems and methods for accessing a relational database through an object-oriented querying interface are provided. A class of objects that are to be stored in the relational database are defined. One or more relational database tables are created and a mapping is produced that maps each data member of an object to one or more columns in a relational database table. Additionally, object-oriented paradigms like inheritance may be supported and the allocation of storage for array elements may be deferred until necessary. A container object that allows a user to define new payment resources without requiring the user to redesign a relational database system used for persistent storage of transaction informatiion is also disclosed. A real time billing system for accounts that locks out transaction events when the billing process is underway is also disclosed. When a transaction event is received that should be posted to an account during the billing process, the account is locked.