Database management system embedded in an operating system command

A computer-readable memory that can be used to direct a computer to provide a computerized database management system when used by the computer, the computer-readable memory comprising:

• a structure file that defines a structure for records, the structure including a key field and a plurality of other fields;
• a sorted file that includes a first plurality of records sorted according to data contained in the key field of each record;
• an unsorted file for receiving records from a user;
• and
• database search and maintenance means, responsive to a single operating system command concatenated with a "search" parameter provided by a user to search the sorted file to locate a record having a user-specified value in any field selected by the user and if no such record is located then to search the unsorted file to locate a record having the value in the field, and responsive to the single operating system command concatenated with a "maintenance" parameter provided by the user to sort and merge unsorted file records into the sorted, the database search and maintenance means planning a resource strategy to avoid deadlocks prior to executing the single operating system command.

A process to be performed on a computer, the process comprising the following steps:

• a user providing a single operating system command to a computer operating system;
• and
• the computer operating system directing the computer, the computer operating system having a database management system, including database search and maintenance means, responsive to the single operating system command provided by the user, the database search and maintenance means planning a resource strategy to avoid deadlocks prior to executing the single operating system command,
• if the single operating system command is concatenated with a "search" parameter, the database search and maintenance means searching a sorted file to locate a record having a user-specified value in any field selected by a user, the sorted file including a plurality of records sorted according to data contained in a key field of each record, the key field being specified in a structure file that defines a structure for the records, the structure including the key field and at least one other field,
• if no such record is located in the sorted file when the single operating system command is concatenated with a "search" parameter, then the database search and maintenance means searching an unsorted file to locate a record having the value in the field, the unsorted file being for receiving records from the user,
• if the single operating system command is concatenated with a "maintenance" parameter, the database search and maintenance means sorting and merging unsorted file records into the sorted file.