# US 6,298,354 B1 · Mechanism and process to transform a grammar-derived intermediate form to an object-oriented configuration database > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,298,354 B1 - Document ID: US6298354B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/253,839 - Filed: 1999-02-19 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 1999-02-19 - Assignees: Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas E. Saulpaugh; Gregory L. Slaughter; Bernard A. Traversat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6298354B1 ## CPC - G06F 16/289: {Object oriented databases} - Y10S 707/99944: Object-oriented database structure - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method and system for transforming an intermediate form into an object-oriented database. The intermediate form is derived from a grammatical form of an object-oriented database through the process of compilation. The grammatical form is an expression of an object-oriented database in a textual form according to a grammar. The intermediate form comprises an array of intelligent entry objects that encapsulate data with methods for manipulating that data. The intermediate form comprises entries as in the object-oriented database but lacks the infrastructure of the database. The intermediate form can be used to populate the object-oriented database with entries. Population takes place through a public API for accessing the object-oriented database; in other words, through an interface which declares methods for navigating the database and adding entries to the database. The object-oriented database is an object-oriented configuration database which stores configuration parameters pertaining to the software and hardware of a computer system, such as application programs, device drivers, system services, and other components. The object-oriented database is platform-independent and is therefore configured to be hosted on several different operating systems and computing platforms. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for transforming contents of an intermediate form of an object-oriented database into contents of said object-oriented database, said intermediate form and said object-oriented database being stored in a memory of a computer system, said method comprising: expressing a plurality of entries corresponding to objects in said object-oriented database in said intermediate form, wherein said entries and said objects relate to configuration parameters of said computer system, wherein said intermediate form is derived from a textual form expressed according to a grammar; populating said object-oriented database with said plurality of entries; storing said plurality of entries in said object-oriented database in said memory of said computer system, wherein said plurality of entries in said object-oriented database pertain to one or more application programs installed on said computer system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said populating said object-oriented database with said plurality of entries occurs through a programming interface for accessing said object-oriented database. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said object-oriented database is configured to be platform independent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said contents of said object-oriented database pertain to one or more application programs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said intermediate form includes an array of entries configurable to populate said object-oriented database. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said entries of said intermediate form are objects, wherein said objects encapsulate data with methods. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said memory of said computer system which stores said intermediate form and said object-oriented database is a volatile memory. ### Claim 8 A carrier medium comprising program instructions for transforming contents of an intermediate form of an object-oriented database into contents of said object-oriented database, wherein said program instructions are executable to implement: expressing a plurality of entries corresponding to objects in said object-oriented database in said intermediate form, wherein said entries and said objects relate to configuration parameters of a computer system, wherein said intermediate form is derived from a textual form expressed according to a grammar; populating said object-oriented database with said plurality of entries; and storing said plurality of entries in said object-oriented database in a memory of said computer system, wherein said plurality of entries in said object-oriented database pertain to one or more application programs installed on said computer system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The carrier medium of claim 8, wherein said populating said object-oriented database with said plurality of entries occurs through a programming interface for accessing said object-oriented database. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The carrier medium of claim 8, wherein said object-oriented database is configured to be platform independent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The carrier medium of claim 8, wherein said contents of said object-oriented database pertain to one or more application programs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The carrier medium of claim 8, wherein said intermediate form includes an array of entries configurable to populate said object-oriented database. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The carrier medium of claim 8, wherein said entries of said intermediate form are objects, wherein said objects encapsulate data with methods. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The carrier medium of claim 8, wherein said carrier medium is a storage medium. ### Claim 15 A computer system for transforming contents of an intermediate form of an object-oriented database into contents of said object-oriented database, said computer system comprising: a CPU; a memory coupled to said CPU; wherein said memory stores said object-oriented database; wherein said memory stores program instructions executable by said CPU, wherein the program instructions are executable to: express a plurality of entries corresponding to objects in said object-oriented database in said intermediate form, wherein said entries and said objects relate to configuration parameters of a computer, wherein said intermediate form is derived from a textual form expressed according to a grammar; populate said object-oriented database with said plurality of entries; store said plurality of entries in said object-oriented database in said memory, wherein said plurality of entries in said object-oriented database pertain to one or more application programs installed on said computer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The computer system of claim 15, wherein said program instructions are further executable to populate said object-oriented database with said plurality of entries through a programming interface for accessing said object-oriented database. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The computer system of claim 15, wherein said object-oriented database is configured to be platform independent. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The computer system of claim 15, wherein said contents of said object-oriented database pertain to one or more application programs. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The computer system of claim 15, wherein said intermediate form includes an array of entries configurable to populate said object-oriented database. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The computer system of claim 15, wherein said entries of said intermediate form are objects, wherein said objects encapsulate data with methods.