Method, system, program, and data structures for managing structured documents in a database

A system for managing structured documents, wherein each structured document has at least one element in common, and wherein each of the at least one element in common is capable of having one defined data object, comprising:

• means for generating at least one table based on a schema of elements in the managed structured documents, wherein the at least one table is designed to include entries for each element instance of a plurality of element instances in the managed structured documents and at least one object for one of the plurality of element instances;
• and
• means for adding for each element instance of the plurality of element instances one entry to the at least one table including information on an element identifier for the element instance, the data object for the element instance, and a document identifier for the structured document including the element instance, wherein the at least one table provides an association of the element instance, the at least one data object for the element instance, and the document identifier of the structured document including the element instance, wherein a query is received, and wherein the query is executed with respect to the at least one table, and wherein the at least one table comprises:
• (i) an element directory table providing an element identifier for each element instance in each structured document, wherein a first element identifier is provided for a first element instance in a first structured document, wherein a second element identifier is provided for a second element instance in a second structured document, and wherein the first element identifier and the second element identifier are in the element directory table;
• and (ii) an element table for each element, wherein each element table includes a column for the element identifier of the element instance and one column for each data object of the element instance.

A method implemented in a computer system for managing structured documents, wherein each structured document has at least one element in common, and wherein each of the at least one element in common is capable of having one defined data object, comprising:

• generating at least one table based on a schema of elements in the managed structured documents, wherein the at least one table is designed to include entries for each element instance of a plurality of element instances in the managed structured documents and at least one object for one of the plurality of element instances;
• for each element instance of the plurality of element instances in the managed structured documents, adding one entry to the at least one table including information on an element identifier for the element instance, the data object for the element instance, and a document identifier for the structured document including the element instance, wherein the at least one table provides an association of the element instance, the at least one data object for the element instance, and the document identifier of the structured document including the element instance;
• and
• receiving a query, and executing the query with respect to the at least one table, wherein the at least one table comprises:
• (i) an element directory table providing an element identifier for each element instance in each structured document, wherein a first element identifier is provided for a first element instance in a first structured document, wherein a second element identifier is provided for a second element instance in a second structured document, and wherein the first element identifier and the second element identifier are in the element directory table;
• and (ii) an element table for each element, wherein each element table includes a column for the element identifier of the element instance and one column for each data object of the element instance.

A program for managing structured documents, wherein each structured document has at least one element in common, and wherein each of the at least one element in common is capable of having one defined data object, wherein the program is embodied in a computer readable medium, wherein the structured documents are processed by a processor, and wherein the program is capable of causing the processor to perform:

• generating at least one table based on a schema of elements in the managed structured documents, wherein the at least one table is designed to include entries for each element instance of a plurality of element instances in the managed structured documents and at least one object for one of the plurality of element instances;
• for each element instance of the plurality of element instances in the managed structured documents, adding one entry to the at least one table including information on an element identifier for the element instance, the data object for the element instance, and a document identifier for the structured document including the element instance, wherein the at least one table provides an association of the element instance, the at least one data object for the element instance, and the document identifier of the structured document including the element instance;
• and
• receiving a query, and executing the query with respect to the at least one table, wherein the at least one table comprises:
• (i) an element directory table providing an element identifier for each element instance in each structured document, wherein a first element identifier is provided for a first element instance in a first structured document, and wherein a second element identifier is provided for a second element instance in a second structured document, wherein the first element identifier and the second element identifier are in the element directory table;
• and (ii) an element table for each element, wherein each element table includes a column for the element identifier of the element instance and one column for each data object of the element instance.