Metadata cache supporting multiple heterogeneous systems

A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

• receiving a request for a metadata object, wherein the request includes an identifier;
• determining whether the metadata object is stored in a metadata cache, including by:
• selecting one of a plurality of sub-caches in the metadata cache based at least in part on the identifier;
• and
• determining whether the metadata object is stored in the selected sub-cache;
• in the event it is determined the metadata object is not stored in the metadata cache, sending, to a source with which the metadata object is associated, a request, in a format associated with the source, to obtain the metadata object;
• transforming the metadata object from a native format of the source into a common format, if the metadata object as provided by the source is in a native format that is not the same as the common format;
• and
• providing access to the metadata object in the common format.

A system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions which when executed cause the processor to:
• receiving a request for a metadata object, wherein the request includes a version number associated with the metadata object;
• using a processor to determine whether the metadata object is stored in a metadata cache, including by determining whether the metadata object having the version number included in the request is stored in the metadata cache;
• in the event it is determined the metadata object is not stored in the metadata cache, sending, to a source with which the metadata object is associated, a request, in a format associated with the source, to obtain the metadata object;
• transforming the metadata object from a native format of the source into a common format, if the metadata object as provided by the source is in a native format that is not the same as the common format;
• and
• providing access to the metadata object in the common format, including by providing the version number.

A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

• receiving a request for a metadata object, wherein the request includes a version number associated with the metadata object;
• using a processor to determine whether the metadata object is stored in a metadata cache, including by determining whether the metadata object having the version number included in the request is stored in the metadata cache;
• in the event it is determined the metadata object is not stored in the metadata cache, sending, to a source with which the metadata object is associated, a request, in a format associated with the source, to obtain the metadata object;
• transforming the metadata object from a native format of the source into a common format, if the metadata object as provided by the source is in a native format that is not the same as the common format;
• and
• providing access to the metadata object in the common format, including by providing the version number.