Systems and methods for storing a dataset having a hierarchical data structure in a database

A method of processing a dataset having a hierarchical data structure in a database, the method being executed by a data processing system and comprising:

• storing a dataset having a unique dataset name, wherein the dataset is an instance of one of a plurality of predetermined hierarchical data structures;
• converting the dataset into a data string by using a serializer;
• dividing the data string into a plurality of sub-strings when a length of the data string is greater than a predefined maximum length;
• generating an access key for the data string;
• generating counter values corresponding to the plurality of sub-strings, the counter values identifying a number of divisions of the data string;
• storing the data string in a database table using the access key;
• storing the plurality of sub-strings in the database table using the access key, wherein each sub-string is assigned the access key generated for the data string and a corresponding counter value;
• storing a unique name of the dataset and the access key in a lookup table for enabling retrieval of the plurality of sub-strings from the database table;
• storing a data dictionary including description data that describes the plurality of predetermined hierarchical data structures, the hierarchical data structure corresponding to the dataset having a field name and a field attribute described by the description data;
• looking up the access key by using the unique data set name;
• retrieving the plurality of sub-strings and corresponding counter values by using the access key looked up based on the unique data set name;
• concatenating the plurality of sub-strings into the data string by using the counter values;
• converting the concatenated data string into the dataset by using a deserializer;
• and
• verifying accuracy of the conversion by comparing a field name and a field attribute included in the converted dataset with the description data describing the field name and field attribute in the data dictionary.

A computer-readable storage device comprising computer executable instructions being executed on a data processor to perform a data processing method for processing a dataset having a hierarchical data structure in a database, the method comprising:

• storing a dataset having a unique dataset name, wherein the dataset is an instance of one of a plurality of predetermined hierarchical data structures;
• converting the dataset into a data string;
• dividing the data string into a plurality of sub-strings when a length of the data string is greater than a predefined maximum length;
• generating an access key for the data string;
• generating counter values corresponding to the plurality of sub-strings, the counter values identifying a number of divisions of the data string;
• storing the data string in a database table using the access key;
• storing the plurality of sub-strings in the database table using the access key, wherein each sub-string is assigned the access key generated for the data string and a corresponding counter value;
• storing a unique name of the dataset and the access key in a lookup table for enabling retrieval of the plurality of sub-strings from the database table;
• storing a data dictionary including description data that describes the plurality of predetermined hierarchical data structures, the hierarchical data structure corresponding to the dataset having a field name and a field attribute described by the description data;
• looking up the access key by using the unique data set name;
• retrieving the plurality of sub-strings and corresponding counter values by using the access key looked up based on the unique data set name;
• concatenating the plurality of sub-strings into the data string by using the counter values;
• converting the concatenated data string into the dataset;
• and
• verifying accuracy of the conversion by comparing a field name and a field attribute included in the converted with the description data describing the field name and field attribute in the data dictionary.