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US6014674A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for maintaining log compatibility in database systems

Assignee: Sybase Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-13
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2017-11-13
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Abstract

Abstract A relational database system providing improved data structures and methods which operate for translating log records is described. A table of translation functions or methods (pointers) is provided, one per "logop" (i.e., log operation) record type. The logop, which is a single byte value, can be used as an index into the table. During times when a log incompatibility state exists in a database, a Log Compatibility module is invoked for performing appropriate translations. In the client's stack space, hidden from client code, a buffer is provided in which a reformatted log record can be stored. An appropriate translate method installed for the current logop is called; it procures a pointer to that buffer, and reformats the log record into that space. The system returns to the client a pointer to a reformatted log record in its own stack space, with the client largely unaware of the issue. Thus, each logop code indexes (in natural order) into an array or table which, in turn, references particular methods which perform appropriate translation, with the client (caller) receiving a pointer to the translated log record in the client's stack space.

Inventors

  • 👤 Scott E. McCargar

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 18:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/284; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 249 words
In a database system, said database system maintaining a log for recording transactions which occur in said system, an improved method for translating logging information from one version of the system to another, the method comprising: storing information about the transactions which occur in the system as a plurality of log records, each log record having a particular log record type and being associated with a particular version of the system in use when said each log record is created; receiving a request to process a particular set of log records; determining for said particular set of log records whether a different version of the system was in use to create the log records; if the determined version is different from the current version of the system, establishing a translation methods table, said table having one entry for each particular type of log record, wherein each entry references a particular translation method for each particular type of log record; receiving a request for access to said particular set of log records; and in response to said request, providing access to logging information which has been translated to the current version, by performing for each log record the following substeps: determining a type for the log record; based on the determined type, determining a particular translation method for the log record; translating logging information in the log record to the current version by invoking said particular translation method; and satisfying said request by providing access to the translated logging information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 249 words
In a database system, said database system maintaining a log for recording transactions which occur in said system, an improved method for translating logging information from one version of the system to another, the method comprising: storing information about the transactions which occur in the system as a plurality of log records, each log record having a particular log record type and being associated with a particular version of the system in use when said each log record is created; receiving a request to process a particular set of log records; determining for said particular set of log records whether a different version of the system was in use to create the log records; if the determined version is different from the current version of the system, establishing a translation methods table, said table having one entry for each particular type of log record, wherein each entry references a particular translation method for each particular type of log record; receiving a request for access to said particular set of log records; and in response to said request, providing access to logging information which has been translated to the current version, by performing for each log record the following substeps: determining a type for the log record; based on the determined type, determining a particular translation method for the log record; translating logging information in the log record to the current version by invoking said particular translation method; and satisfying said request by providing access to the translated logging information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each type is identified by a particular value and wherein said step of determining a particular translation method for the log record comprises employing the particular value to index into the table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said log records are stored sequentially by the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the system inserts a checkpoint record into the log, the record specifying a particular version of the system that log records have been created with.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said translated logging information is provided in a buffer local to whatever process has submitted the request.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each entry references a particular translation method for each particular type of log record by storing a pointer to that particular translation method.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said translation methods table comprises a plurality of tables, one for each version of the system encountered in the set of log records.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said providing access step occurs in a manner which is transparent to whatever process requested access to the set of log records.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-01-10 2003-07-12 2004-01-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-01-10 2007-07-12 2008-01-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-01-10 2011-07-12 2012-01-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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