Data storage and retrieval system with parameterized category definitions for families of categories and dynamically generated search indices

A system including a computer readable storage medium, said computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, said computer program comprising:

• program code for obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
• program code for logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition, wherein said parameterized part includes a parameterized predicate, wherein said parameterized predicate, in combination with a set of dynamically obtained parameter values for said parameterized part, provides a test for an information item to which said parameterized predicate is applied, the result of which indicates whether said information item is a member of a dynamically defined category defined by said parameterized category definition and said parameter values;
• program code for associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
• program code for generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition, including dynamically creating said at least one search index by, at least in part, indexing said information items associated with said family of categories to determine which of said information items associated with said family of categories match said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
• program code for obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part;
• and program code for determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query.

A computer program product including a computer readable storage medium, said computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for providing categories for information items stored in an information storage and retrieval system, said computer program comprising:

• program code for obtaining a parameterized category definition for a family of categories;
• program code for logically separating a parameterized part of said parameterized category definition from a static part of said parameterized category definition, wherein said parameterized part includes a parameterized predicate, wherein said parameterized predicate, in combination with a set of dynamically obtained parameter values for said parameterized part, provides a test for an information item to which said parameterized predicate is applied, the result of which indicates whether said information item is a member of a dynamically defined category defined by said parameterized category definition and said parameter values;
• program code for associating those of said information items matching said static part of said parameterized category definition with said family of categories;
• program code for generating at least one search index associating those of said information items associated with said family of categories and having properties matching said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition with parameter values for said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition, including dynamically creating said at least one search index by, at least in part, indexing said information items associated with said family of categories to determine which of said information items associated with said family of categories match said parameterized part of said parameterized category definition;
• program code for obtaining a search query including an indication of said family of categories and parameter values for said parameterized part;
• and program code for determining, responsive to said indication of said family of categories, said parameter values of said parameterized part, and said at least one search index, which of said information items match said search query.