Method and apparatus for integrating relational and hierarchical data

Apparatus for integrating relational and hierarchical data, schema definitions, and queries in a data processing system, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and operative to:
• (i) convert one or more schema definitions into an intermediate schema language component of an intermediate data language when one or more schema definitions are provided;
• (ii) convert one or more query expressions into an intermediate query language component of the intermediate data language when one or more query expressions are provided;
• iii) compile, in an intermediate data language processing engine, at least one of the intermediate schema language component and the intermediate query language component into a run-time representation in accordance with a relational-hierarchical analysis;
• and (iv) determine whether the schema definitions or the query expressions are relational prior to the converting steps.

An article of manufacture for integrating relational and hierarchical data, schema definitions, and queries in a data processing system, comprising a non-transitory machine readable storage medium containing one or more programs which when executed by a processor implement the steps of:

• converting one or more schema definitions into an intermediate schema language component of an intermediate data language when one or more schema definitions are provided;
• converting one or more query expressions into an intermediate query language component of the intermediate data language when one or more query expressions are provided;
• compiling, in an intermediate data language processing engine, at least one of the intermediate schema language component and the intermediate query language component into a run-time representation in accordance with a relational-hierarchical analysis;
• and
• determining whether the schema definitions or the query expressions are relational prior to the converting steps.