Automating the Logging of Table Changes in a Database

A method for updating a database table, the method comprising the steps of:

• a computer receiving, from a database application, a request to execute an operation on a first table in a database;
• the computer identifying a column in the first table in which a change would be entered during execution of the operation on the first table;
• the computer identifying, from metadata, a column in a second table that maps to the column in the first table;
• the computer forming a change history of the first table in the second table by recording the change in the column of the second table;
• and
• the computer sending a request to a database management system (DMBS) to execute the operation on the first table.

A computer system for updating a database table, the computer system comprising:

• one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to receive, from a database application, a request to execute an operation on a first table in a database;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to identify a column in the first table in which a change would be entered during execution of the operation on the first table;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to identify, from metadata, a column in a second table that maps to the column in the first table;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to form a change history of the first table in the second table by recording the change in the column of the second table;
• and
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to send a request to a database management system (DMBS) to execute the operation on the first table.

A computer program product for updating a database table, the computer program product comprising:

• one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, to receive, from a database application, a request to execute an operation on a first table in a database;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, to identify a column in the first table in which a change would be entered during execution of the operation on the first table;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, to identify, from metadata, a column in a second table that maps to the column in the first table;
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, to form a change history of the first table in the second table by recording the change in the column of the second table;
• and
• program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, to send a request to a database management system (DMBS) to execute the operation on the first table.