Method and system for providing a graphical interface to a database

#The present invention relates to databases, and more specifically to an interface to databases.

#Database and database structures are well known in the art. One type of database includes that developed by ORACLE CORPORATION. FIG. 1 is a simple block diagram illustrating a network with an Oracle database. In this network 100, a user 102 interfaces with the Oracle database 104 via a network connection 106 through software 108 on a workstation 110. Conventionally, the software 108 executes in a UNIX environment.

#In order to obtain information concerning database objects of the database 104, Structured Query Language (SQL) queries are executed. A user 102 must be familiar with SQL and Oracle database structures, as the SQL queries and scripts can be complicated. To build the SQL queries, the user 102 must also know the contents of the catalog 112 and how to access the catalog 112. However, this level of knowledge of SQL is often beyond the typical user 102. In this situation, database administrators need to hire consultants with expertise in Oracle database structure and SQL. Thus, database administrators are forced to expend resources to hire consultants and experts in order to maintain the integrity of their data. In addition, when the typical user 102 desires a report on data from the database 104, the user 102 must request the report from the database administrators, who then builds the SQL queries required to obtain the data. This results in inefficiency.

#FIG. 1 is a simple block diagram illustrating a network with a Oracle database.

#FIG. 2 is a simple block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a network which provides a graphical interface to a database in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 3 through 14C illustrate the features provided by the Oracle Assistant in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the method and system of the present invention.

#The present invention provides a method and system for providing a graphical interface to a database. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

#The method and system in accordance with the present invention provides the graphical interface to a database in a software, called an “Oracle Assistant”, which resides on a workstation. To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, please refer to FIGS. 2 through 15 in conjunction with the discussion below.

#FIG. 2 is a simple block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a network 200 which provides a graphical interface to a database in accordance with the present invention. The network 200 comprises an Oracle Assistant 204 (“OA”) on a workstation 206. The OA 204 executes in a windows environment and comprises a user interface (UI) 214 and a SQL query engine 216. A user 202 interfaces with the UI 214 to access the database 208 via a network connection 210. Through the UI 214, the user 202 is able to request information concerning database objects with limited knowledge of SQL, i.e., with limited knowledge of how to build SQL queries, and/or without knowing the contents of the catalog 212 or how to access the catalog 212. The UI 214 allows the user 202 to enter as much or as little information concerning the desired database objects as the user 202 knows. The SQL query engine 216 then builds the required SQL query or queries and executes the them against the catalog 212 to retrieve the desired information. These functions by the OA 204 are performed transparently to the user 202.