Database access mechanisms for a computer user interface

A method of providing access to database objects in a computer system, the method comprising:

• displaying a first view on a display device, the first view including:
• a first database access mechanism comprising at least one database access pattern, the database access pattern including a predefined search of the database;
• a second database access mechanism comprising at least one selection function for selecting a subset of the database to access and an input function, the second database access mechanism capable of receiving an input to select a subset of the database, receiving at least one input value in the input function, and searching the subset of the database for database objects having the input value, the second database access mechanism also being capable of adding a database access pattern to the first database access mechanism;
• and
• a third database access mechanism, the third database access mechanism comprising at least one attribute choice and an input field, the third database access mechanism capable of receiving an input to select an attribute, receiving an input value in the input field, and searching the database for database objects having the input value associated with the selected attribute;
• receiving an input to select a database access mechanism;
• searching the database using the selected database access mechanism;
• and
• displaying a second view on the display device, the second view comprising a set of one or more database objects, the set identified by the database search.

Computer-readable medium with program instructions stored thereon that when executed perform the following functions for providing access to database objects in a computer system:

• displays a first view on a display device, the first view including:
• a first database access mechanism comprising at least one database access pattern, the database access pattern including a predefined search of the database;
• and
• a second database access mechanism comprising at least one selection function for selecting a subset of the database to access and an input function, the second database access mechanism capable of receiving an input to select a subset of the database, receiving at least one input value in the input function, and searching the subset of the database for database objects having the input value, the second database access mechanism also being capable of adding a database access pattern to the first database access mechanism;
• receives an input to select a database access mechanism;
• searches the database using the selected database access mechanism;
• and
• displays a second view on the display device, the second view comprising a set of one or more database objects, the set identified by the database search.