Method and apparatus for logically reconstructing incomplete records

A data processing system for illustrating changes that have been made to portions of an electronic database, comprising:

• memory for storing digital information;
• a processor, connected to the memory, for operating upon the digital information in the memory;
• the data processing system being operable in an illustration mode of operation, wherein
• an initial change record is selected, wherein the initial change record describes a change made to a target data object located at a target location in the electronic database;
• a transaction log is searched for change records which modify the target data object;
• a particular change record is located which contains a complete copy of the data object;
• and
• the change records are applied to the complete copy of the data object, wherein the complete copy of the target data object is brought to a state as it existed before the change described by the initial change record was made to the target data object.

A computer program product having stored computer-readable instructions for directing a data processing system to illustrate changes that have been made to portions of an electronic database, comprising:

• means for selecting an initial change record, wherein the initial change record describes a change made to a target data object located at a target location in the electronic database;
• means for searching a transaction log for change records which modify the target data object;
• means for locating a particular change record which contains a complete copy of the data object;
• and
• means for applying the change records to the complete copy of the data object, wherein the complete copy of the target data object is brought to a state as it existed before the change described by the initial change record was made to the target data object.

A method for illustrating changes that have been made to portions of an electronic database, comprising:

• selecting an initial change record, wherein the initial change record describes a change made to a target data object in the electronic database;
• identifying portions of the target data object to be illustrated;
• searching a transaction log for change records that identify values of selected portions of the target data object;
• storing the values;
• and
• displaying the target data object and the stored values, wherein the target data object is brought to a state as it existed before the change described by the initial change record was made to the target data object.

A data processing system for illustrating changes that have been made to portions of an electronic database, comprising:

• memory for storing digital information;
• a processor, connected to the memory, for operating upon the digital information in the memory;
• the data processing system being operable in an illustration mode of operation, wherein
• an initial change record is selected, wherein the initial change record describes a change made to a target data object in the electronic database;
• portions of the target data object to be illustrated are identified;
• a transaction log for change records that identify values of selected portions of the target data object is searched;
• the values are stored;
• and
• the target data object and the stored values are displayed, wherein the target data object is brought to a state as it existed before the change described by the initial change record was made to the target data object.