System and methods including automatic linking of tables for improved relational database modeling with interface

摘要

A system includes a relational database management system (RDBMS) having a data modeling component. A "data model" is a graphical representation of the relationship between tables one may use in a design document. "Design documents" allow a user to customize how his or her data are presented, including presenting information in formats which are not tabular and including formats which link together different tables (so that information stored in separate tables appears to the user to come from one place). Methods are described for automatically linking tables to be placed in a data model by comparing unique keys (e.g., primary key or other unique identifier) of one table with indexes (or indexable fields) of another table. Based upon the comparison, the system automatically suggests an appropriate link (if any) for the tables.