Time-span representation and time chain of events in a relational database

An article of manufacture comprised of computer code stored on a computer readable memory to cause a computer system to perform a process to update a data store that includes a first record indicating first data associated with a first event, and the first record indicating a first effective time interval during which the first data is effective and the first record indicating a first time-of-creation time interval during which the first data is current with respect to a database, wherein the first effective time interval starts with a first effective-date and ends with a first end-date, and wherein the first time-of-creation interval starts with a first create-timestamp and ends with a first end-timestamp, the process comprising:

• adjusting with a computer processor the data store upon an occurrence of a second event, comprising:
• adding a second record indicating second data associated with the second event, and the second record indicating a second effective time interval during which the second data is effective and the second record indicating a second time-of-creation time interval during which the second data is current with respect to the database, wherein the second effective time interval starts with a second effective-date and ends with a second end-date, and wherein the second time-of-creation interval starts with a second create-timestamp and ends with a second end-timestamp,
• if the first effective time interval starts earlier than the second effective time interval, updating the first effective time interval of the first record to be immediately preceding the second effective time interval of the second record, else setting the second effective time interval to be immediately preceding the first effective time interval.

A computer-implemented method to produce a history recording changing events in a database comprising:

• accessing with a computer processor a data store that includes a first record indicating first data associated with a first event, and the first record indicating a first effective time interval and the first record indicating a first time-of-creation time interval, wherein the first effective time interval starts with a first effective-date and ends with a first end-date, and wherein the first time-of-creation interval starts with a first create-timestamp and ends with a first end-timestamp;
• and
• adjusting the data store upon an occurrence of a second event, comprising:
• adding a second record indicating second data associated with the second event, and the second record indicating a second effective time interval and the second record indicating a second time-of-creation time interval, wherein the second effective time interval starts with a second effective-date and ends with a second end-date, and wherein the second time-of-creation interval starts with a second create-timestamp and ends with a second end-timestamp,
• if the first effective time interval starts earlier than the second effective time interval, updating the first time-of-creation interval of the first record and adding a third record indicating the first data associated with the first event, and the third record indicating a third effective time interval that is immediately preceding the second effective time interval of the second record and the third record indicating a third time-of-creation time interval, wherein the third effective time interval starts with a third effective-date and ends with a third end-date, and wherein the third time-of-creation interval starts with a third create-timestamp and ends with a third end-timestamp, else setting the second effective time interval of the second record to be immediately preceding the first effective time interval of the first record.

A computer-implemented method to update a data store that includes a first record indicating first data associated with a first event, and the first record indicating a first effective time interval and the first record indicating a first time-of-creation time interval, wherein the first effective time interval starts with a first effective-date and ends with a first end-date, and wherein the first time-of-creation interval starts with a first create-timestamp and ends with a first end-timestamp, the method comprising:

• adjusting with a computer processor the data store upon an occurrence of a second event, comprising:
• adding a second record indicating second data associated with a second event, and the second record indicating a second effective time interval and the second record indicating a second time-of-creation time interval, wherein the second effective time interval starts with a second effective-date and ends with a second end-date, and wherein the second time-of-creation interval starts with a second create-timestamp and ends with a second end-timestamp,
• if the first effective time interval starts earlier than the second effective time interval, updating the first time-of-creation interval of the first record and adding a third record indicating the first data associated with the first event, and the third record indicating a third effective time interval that is immediately preceding the second effective time interval of the second record and the third record indicating a third time-of-creation time interval, wherein the third effective time interval starts with a third effective-date and ends with a third end-date, and wherein the third time-of-creation interval starts with a third create-timestamp and ends with a third end-timestamp, else setting the second effective time interval to be immediately preceding the first effective time interval.