Method and system for improved access to non-relational databases

A system for improved access to databases in a computer system, comprising:

• a plurality of data sources, the data sources including at least one non-relational data source;
• a server coupled to the plurality of data sources, the server capable of providing client access to the plurality of data sources;
• and
• a SPDAL coupled to the server and the at least one non-relational data source, the SPDAL providing relational features to the at least one non-relational data source, wherein the relational features comprises:
• a two-phase commit process;
• a process for performing SQL operations from within a single application;
• a referential integrity process;
• and
• a process for providing indices for non-relational data source files.

A system for improved access to databases in a computer system, comprising:

• a plurality of data sources, the data sources including at least one non-relational data source;
• a server coupled to the plurality of data sources, the server capable of providing client access to the plurality of data sources;
• and
• a SPDAL coupled to the server and the at least one non-relational data source, the SPDAL providing relational features to the at least one non-relational data source,
• wherein the relational features comprises:
• a two-phase commit process;
• a process for performing SQL operations from within a single application;
• a referential integrity process;
• and
• a process for providing indices for non-relational data source files;
• wherein the SPDAL comprises:
• a SPDAL ODBC API coupled to the server;
• an ODBC Driver Manager coupled to a Generic Access API;
• a Generic Driver coupled to the ODBC Driver Manager, the Generic Driver comprising an intercept layer, the intercept layer functioning as a resource manager for the at least one non-relational database during the two-phase commit process;
• a SQL Engine coupled to the Generic Driver;
• and
• an index manager coupled to the SQL Engine, the index manager allowing for the creation of indices for the at least one non-relational data source.

A method for performing a two-phase commit process in a computer system, the computer system including a plurality of data sources, the plurality of data sources including at least one non-relational data source, comprises the steps of:

• (a) sending a first request to the at least one non-relational data source for commitment to a transaction;
• (b) receiving a first reply from the at least one non-relational data source in response to the first request;
• (c) sending a second request to another of the plurality of data sources for commitment to the transaction;
• (d) receiving a second reply from the other of the plurality of data sources in response to the second request;
• (e) determining if the first and second replies both indicate a commitment to the transaction;
• and
• (f) performing the transaction if the first and second replies both indicate a commitment to the transaction.

A method for performing referential integrity in a computer system, the computer system including a plurality of data sources, the plurality of data sources including at least one non-relational data source, comprising the steps of:

• (a) capturing an end user query;
• (b) determining referential integrity is required for the end user query;
• (c) formulating at least one query to execute and enforce referential constraint for the end user query;
• (d) returning the end user query to the server;
• (e) determining if the end user query requires data from the at least one non-relational data source;
• (f) translating the at least one query to a command understandable by the at least one non-relational data source if data from the at least one non-relational data source is required;
• (g) executing the command;
• and
• (h) returning a result of the end user query to the server.

A method for providing indices in a computer system, the computer system including a plurality of data sources, the plurality of data sources including at least one non-relational data source, comprising the steps of:

• (a) creating hash-keyed and sequential files for the at least one non-relational data source;
• (b) specifying at least one field of the hash-keyed and/or sequential files;
• (c) creating an index for the at least one field;
• (d) determining if an index exists which assists the performance of a query;
• (e) retrieving the index if the index exists;
• (f) determining if the index alone satisfies the query;
• and
• (g) retrieving additional data from the at least one non-relational data source based upon the index if the index alone does not satisfy the query.

A computer readable medium with program instructions for performing a two-phase commit process in a computer system, the computer system including a plurality of data sources, the plurality of data sources including at least one non-relational data source, program instructions for:

• (a) sending a first request to the at least one non-relational data source for commitment to a transaction;
• (b) receiving a first reply from the at least one non-relational data source in response to the first request;
• (c) sending a second request to another of the plurality of data sources for commitment to the transaction;
• (d) receiving a second reply from the other of the plurality of data sources in response to the second request;
• (e) determining if the first and second replies both indicate a commitment to the transaction;
• and
• (f) performing the transaction if the first and second replies both indicate a commitment to the transaction.

A computer readable medium with program instructions for performing referential integrity in a computer system, the computer system including a plurality of data sources, the plurality of data sources including at least one non-relational data source, program instructions for:

• (a) capturing an end user query;
• (b) determining referential integrity is required for the end user query;
• (c) formulating at least one query to execute and enforce referential constraint for the end user query;
• (d) returning the end user query to the server;
• (e) determining if the end user query requires data from the at least one non-relational data source;
• (f) translating the at least one query to a command understandably by the at least one non-relational data source;
• (g) executing the command;
• and
• (h) returning the end user query to the server.