Mapping persistent data in multiple data sources into a single object-oriented component

An apparatus for mapping persistent data objects residing in multiple data sources into a single, reusable software component accessible to an object-oriented programming language application, comprising:

• a computer coupled to multiple electronic storage devices, said computer having multi-database access to DBMSs for storing databases;
• object-oriented programming means, performed by the computer, for identifying data objects in multiple data sources;
• multi-database software means, performed by the computer, for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the multi-database software facility;
• means, performed by the computer, for using the software multi-database facility for creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects;
• means, performed by the computer, for object-oriented programming means, for establishing a connection to the multi-database software facility for referencing the virtual data object;
• and
• means, performed by the computer, for wrapping access to the virtual data object into a reusable software component accessible directly from an object-oriented programming language application.

A program storage device readable by a computer tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for mapping persistent data objects residing in multiple data sources into a single, reusable software component accessible to an object-oriented programming language application performed by the computer, for multi-database access to DBMSs, each stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the computer, the method comprising the following steps:

• (a) for object-oriented programming language application, identifying data objects in multiple data sources;
• (b) employing a multi-database software facility for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the multi-database software facility;
• (c) using the software multi-database facility for creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects;
• (d) for object-oriented programming language application, establishing a connection to the multi-database software facility for referencing the virtual data object;
• and
• (e) wrapping access to the virtual data object into a reusable software component accessible directly from an object-oriented programming language application.