Unified Database Structure Reducing Maintenance Complexity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Complex database systems with numerous tables are cumbersome to maintain and require frequent structural changes, leading to high labor costs and errors due to human factors and logical inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A method transforms a complex database into a simpler structure using an Element table and a Group table, with optional Group-Link and Element-Binary tables, preserving all information and allowing dynamic schema representation, thereby reducing maintenance efforts and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a complex database system with numerous tables is used to store and maintain large sets of data, then the data storage capacity and representation capability are improved, but the maintenance complexity and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple database tables into a single unified database structure. All data from numerous individual tables are consolidated into one database, with data organization achieved through structured fields and formatting rather than physical table separation. This merging eliminates the complexity of maintaining multiple tables while preserving all data storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified database structure serves multiple functions that previously required separate tables. A single database can store diverse data types (numeric, text, dates, formulas) and represent various relationships through its flexible structure, replacing the need for specialized tables for different data purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the structure of complex database systems is changed frequently to adapt to new requirements, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the labor costs and maintenance efforts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified database structure is designed to be dynamically adaptable. New data types, fields, and relationships can be added to the single database structure without requiring structural redesign or table reorganization. The flexible schema allows the database to evolve with changing requirements while maintaining its unified nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The database uses configurable parameters such as field types, data formats, and relationship definitions that can be modified without changing the fundamental database structure. This allows adaptability through parameter adjustment rather than structural reconfiguration, reducing maintenance effort.
3Extent of automation
If manual transformation and maintenance of complex database systems is performed, then the initial setup and customization are possible, but errors due to human factors and logical inconsistencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified database system is designed to maintain itself through automated processes. The system automatically manages data consistency, validates entries against defined rules, and maintains logical relationships without human intervention. This self-service capability eliminates human errors while preserving the ability to manually configure and customize the database structure.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for representing complex databases having an arbitrary number of tables with a simple database comprising at least two tables, in which each attribute of each object is represented in a first table and in which each object is represented as a list of attributes in a second table. There is also provided a method for converting a complex database in a simple database.