Method and apparatus for storing data in database form to a compact disc using a script file to describe the input format of data

摘要

A method and apparatus for rapidly storing input data in database form to a compact disc is provided. In one preferred embodiment, input data is provided to a computer via an input device, such as a 9-track tape or a disk drive. A script file descriptive of the characteristics of the input data is generated by a computer operator. A compact disc application development system (CADS) program processes the script file to create applications, indices and databases in accordance with commands from the script file. Undesired duplicative data may be discarded from the input data in accordance with commands from the script file. Additionally, data may be compressed using data compression techniques. The compressed or uncompressed data is then written to the previously created databases and indices. The application programs and related indices are designed to permit multiple field searches of all indexed fixed field data. The retrieval and applications programs created by the CADS program are designed to retrieve data records in the form of single page reports having some fixed field data common to all original pages of a multiple page report and additionally having scrollable detail or information lines. The database, applications programs and indices are all premastered using premastering software to convert it to a form suitable for storage on the compact disc. The premastered data is then written to a compact disc.