System for accessing remote heterogeneous database including formatting retrieved data into applications program format

In a general purpose computer system including a first computer having at least a central processing unit and associated memory, a local applications database stored in files having a first file structure in the associated memory of the first computer, and a local applications program executing on the first computer for processing data stored in the local applications database, the local applications program being responsive to keyboard entered applications commands;

• a second host computer having at least a central processing unit and associated memory, said second host computer configured to access data stored in remote files in the associated memory of the second host computer;
• communications means for transmitting and receiving data and commands between the first computer and the second host computer;
• a method for importing remote file data to the first computer from the second host computer during execution of the applications program on the first computer, comprising the steps of:
• providing a preselected command of the first computer indicating a request for remote data;
• requesting remote data by actuating the preselected command in combination with an applications program data request command and a remote file identifier to initiate an interrupt;
• translating, upon entry of the preselected command, the applications program data request command to a remote data request;
• transmitting the remote data request to the second host computer;
• receiving the remote data request by the second host computer;
• converting the remote data request to a host computer data request command by the second host computer;
• retrieving a requested data from the remote files of the second host computer;
• converting, in the second host computer, the retrieved data to a format useful to the applications program;
• transmitting the retrieved converted data to the first computer;
• storing the converted data in the local applications database indexed by an applications file identifier and terminating the interrupt;
• whereby the first computer responds to the preselected keystroke to import requested data from the second computer to the first computer and to process a data request for remote data while the applications program continues execution on the first computer so that the data accession is transparent to a user.