Language-Independent File System Query Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional file-based computer systems require separate interfaces for different programming languages, operating systems, and hardware architectures, leading to increased development effort and divergence in file and metadata access capabilities, complicating application programming and hindering the adoption of file content formats across developers.
Innovation Solution
A programming-language-independent interface is provided for querying file system content, using a storage device and file system that includes an XML Query (XQuery) query language interface, allowing applications to access and manage file data and metadata in a unified manner, independent of the underlying programming language or architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate interfaces are provided for each programming language, operating system, or hardware architecture, then access to files and metadata is enabled for each platform, but the complexity of maintaining multiple interfaces increases and feature support diverges among interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal query interface that allows applications written in different programming languages to access file system content through a common protocol. The file system provides a standardized query mechanism that is language-independent, eliminating the need to maintain separate interfaces for each programming language while still supporting multiple platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary query interface layer between the file system and applications. This intermediary translates diverse application queries into a standardized internal format, acting as a mediator that handles platform-specific variations while maintaining a consistent interface for all applications regardless of their programming language.
2Reliability
If platform-specific interfaces are used for file access, then each interface can be optimized for its specific platform, but the effort required to code and verify each interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal query interface that serves multiple programming languages and platforms through a single implementation. This eliminates the need to code and verify separate interfaces for each platform, significantly reducing development effort while maintaining reliable access across all platforms through the standardized query mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unique interfaces are provided for each programming language scenario, then specific language requirements are met, but the interfaces may diverge considerably in their support for file and metadata access features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary query interface that ensures consistent feature support across all programming languages. The intermediary layer standardizes query processing and metadata access, preventing divergence in feature support while still allowing applications in different languages to access file system content according to their specific requirements through the unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing a programming-language-independent interface for querying file system content. In one embodiment, the system may include a storage device configured to store a plurality of files and a file system configured to manage access to the storage device and to store file system content. The file system may include a programming-language-independent interface whereby an application queries the file system content. In various specific implementations of the system, file system content may include file data stored in one or more of the plurality of files, or metadata stored in a named stream corresponding to a given file, respectively. In another specific implementation of the system, the application querying file system content may include the application generating a query in a query language, the application submitting the query to a query engine via the programming-language-independent interface, and the query engine evaluating said query.