Run-time access techniques for database images

A program storage device, readable by a programmable control device, comprising instructions stored on the program storage device for causing the programmable control device to:

• receive a query directed to a first database;
• redirect the query to a file associated with a database image;
• receive data from the file associated with the database image;
• generate return data by substituting database identifiers in the received data associated with the database image with database identifiers associated with the first database;
• and
• provide the return data.

A computer database system, comprising:

• storage system for storing a database image and a first database;
• a first database management system operatively coupled to the first database and to the storage system;
• and
• translator means operatively coupled to the storage system and to the first database management system for
• redirecting queries from the database management system directed to a specified file associated with the first database to a specified file associated with the database image,
• receiving data in response to the redirected query from the specified file associated with the database image, and
• substituting database identifiers in the received data associated with the database image with database identifiers associated with the first database.

A method to provide run-time access to a database image, comprising:

• receiving a query directed to a target DB2 database from a DB2 application;
• redirecting the query to a file associated with a DB2 database image;
• receiving data from the file associated with the DB2 database image in response to the query;
• generating return data by substituting database identifiers in the received data associated with the DB2 database image with database identifiers associated with the target DB2 database;
• and
• providing the return data to the DB2 application.