Method and apparatus for generating and performing operations on table type databases using icons

A method of performing operations between data of a plurality of tables, comprising the steps of:

• displaying table icons each representing one of said tables;
• displaying an operational icon representing an operation selected by a user to be performed between data of at least two tables;
• permitting a user to open an operational window by selecting said operational icon;
• permitting said user to move table icons corresponding to said at least two tables to a position where the displays of said table icons corresponding to said at least two tables are within said operational window;
• automatically executing said selected operation represented by said operational icon between data of said at least two tables when said table icons corresponding to said at least two tables are moved to a position within said operational window;
• generating a new table including data resulting from said selected operation and a new table icon representing said new table;
• and
• displaying said new table icon representing said new table.

An information processing apparatus for permitting a user to perform operations between data of a plurality of tables, said data of said at least two tables being stored in memory connected to said information processing apparatus, said information processing apparatus comprising:

• a display for displaying information;
• a terminal for permitting a user to input commands and information;
• an information processing unit for displaying on said display table icons each representing one of said tables, displaying on said display an operational icon representing an operation selected by a user to be performed between data of at least two tables, permitting a user to open an operational window by selecting said operational icon, permitting said user to move table icons on said display corresponding to said at least two tables to a position where the displays of said table icons corresponding to said at least two tables are within said operational window, automatically executing said selected operation represented by said operational icon between data of said at least two tables when said table icons corresponding to said at least two tables are moved to a position within said operational window, generating a new table including data resulting from said selected operation and a new table icon representing said new table, and displaying on said display said new table icon representing said new table.