Optimized database technique to enable faster data synchronization

Abstract

Method and system that enables faster data synchronization between different databases. In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing data records between databases is provided. Initially, a first database is designated as a source database and a second database as a target database. The modification flag of a first data record in the source database is examined. If the first modification flag is set, the first data record is propagated to the target database. On the other hand, if the first modification flag is not set, a first modification count of the first data record is compared with a second modification count of—a corresponding data record in the target database. In this embodiment, each of the modification counts is a value indicating how many times the respective data record has been modified. If it is determined that the first modification count has a higher value than the second modification count, the corresponding data record is updated according to the first data record. Importantly, the method of this embodiment can be carried out as described without comparing the raw data of the data records. As such, this embodiment of the present invention advantageously eliminates the record-by-record comparison that is inherent in the prior art synchronization process and the inconvenience associated therewith and provides an efficient data synchronization technique that can be beneficially utilized in numerous applications.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 09 / 710,605, entitled “OPTIMIZED DATABASE TECHNIQUE EO ENABLE FASTER DATA SYNCHRONIZATION,” filed Nov. 20, 2000, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,963, assigned to the assignee of the present application. The subject matter in the above-identified co-pending and commonly owned applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to database design. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a method and system that enables faster data synchronization between different databases. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] Computer systems and other electronic devices have become integral tools that are used extensively to perform a wide variety of useful operations in modern society. Applications of computer systems can be found in virtually all fields and disciplines, includin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] It would be advantageous to provide a method and system for data synchronization that does not require a long time period to complete. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous for such method and system not to introduce extra complexity into development efforts such that application development cycles would not be adversely affected.

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and system that enables faster data synchronization between different databases. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need to perform record-by-record comparison of all data records in the databases being synchronized. The lengthy synchronization process inherent in the prior art slow sync approach and the inconvenience associated therewith is thus advantageously eliminated. Moreover, since embodiments of the present invention are capable of handling data synchronization irrespective of whether an earlier synchronization has been performed, the need for a dual-mode (e.g., fast sync and slow sync) synchronization approach is beneficially eliminated. As such, the complexity of application development is greatly reduced, thereby simplifying the job for application developers. ‘Thus, the present invention provides a superior approach to data synchronization over the prior art. These and other advantages of the present invention not specifically mentioned above will become clear within discussions of the present invention presented herein.

[0014] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a method for synchronizing data records between databases is provided. Initially, a first database is designated as a source database and a second database as a target database. The modification flag of a first data record in the source database is examined. If the first modification flag is set, the first data record is propagated to the target database. On the other hand, if the first modification flag is not set, a first modification count of the first data record is compared with a second modification count of a corresponding data record in the target database. In this embodiment, each of the modification counts is a value indicating how many times the respective data record has been modified. If it is determined that the first modification count has a higher value than the second modification count, the corresponding data record is updated according to the first data record. Importantly, the method of this embodiment can be carried out as described without comparing the raw data of the data records. As such, this embodiment of the present invention advantageously eliminates the record-by-record comparison that is inherent in the prior art synchronization process and the inconvenience associated therewith and provides an efficient data synchronization technique that can be beneficially utilized in numerous applications.

Problems solved by technology

In a subsequent synchronization with a different database, such as a database on a different desktop system, a fast sync is not appropriate and a slow sync is required.

Indeed, a slow sync takes up an incrementally longer time period to complete as the size of the database (e.g., measured by the number of data records) that needs to be synchronized increases.

As such, it can be an inconvenience to users, especially those who frequently need to synchronize their hand-held device with multiple desktop systems, which typically include a home computer and an office computer.

Such a requirement is undesirable because the extra program code could prolong the development cycle and introduce added complexity to the applications.

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