Method and system for processing data in a multi-database system

1. A computer implemented method for partitioning data in a database system, comprising the steps of:

mapping said database system onto a fixed number of logical partitions, wherein said database system is distributed over a plurality of physical databases;

assigning a user of said database system to a unique partition of said logical partitions, wherein number of said unique partitions is variable without changing said number of logical partitions;

searching only one physical database of said plurality of databases using a search algorithm for data related to a user, wherein said search algorithm is operable before and after scaling said physical databases as a result of said scaling holding constant said number of logical partitions; and

allocating a portion of said data that relates to said user to said unique partition.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said assigning step is based on information received from said user.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said information is received during said user's login process.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said information includes said user's screen name.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said information includes said user's login name.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said portion of said data comprises:

information about databases that contain data related to said user, wherein only said logical partitions related to said user are searched for said data.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

scaling number of physical databases of said database system without changing said number of logical partitions.

8. A computer implemented method for searching data related to a user in a multiple-database system that is mapped onto a fixed number of logical partitions, comprising the steps of:

determining a unique partition of said logical partition assigned to said user, wherein number of said unique partitions is variable without changing said number of logical partitions;

identifying a database mapped to said unique partition; and

using an algorithm for searching said database for said data, wherein said algorithm, operable prior to scaling said multiple-database system, is operable after said step of scaling, wherein said step of scaling holds said number of logical partitions constant.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said determining step is based on information received from said user.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said information is received during said user's login process.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said information includes said user's screen name.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said information includes said user's login name.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:

searching said database for summary data that identifies databases that contain data related to said user; and

using said summary data to provide said data related to said user by searching only said databases that contain data related to said user.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said data related to said user comprises:

data about an invitation.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said summary data comprises:

information that identifies said invitation;

information that identifies who created said invitation; and

information that identifies a reply for said invitation.

16. A computer implemented system for searching data related to a user, comprising:

a plurality of databases in a database system, said plurality of databases mapped onto a fixed number of logical partitions;

means for determining a unique partition of said logical partitions assigned to said user;

means for identifying a database mapped to said unique partition of said logical partitions; and

means for searching said database for said data, wherein said means operable prior to scaling said database system maintain operability after scaling said database system, wherein said scaling holds said number of logical partitions constant.

17. The computer system of claim 16 , further comprising:

means for searching said database for summary data that identifies databases that contain data related to said user; and

means for using said summary data to provide said data related to said user by searching only said databases that contain data related to said user.

18. The computer system of claim 17 , further implemented on a network environment.

19. The computer system of claim 18 , wherein said network environment further comprises:

an Internet.

20. A method for partitioning data in a database system, comprising the steps of:

mapping said database system onto a number of logical partitions and onto a number of physical databases, wherein said data is partitioned in said database system;

changing said number of said physical databases without changing said number of logical partitions;

assigning a user of said database system to a unique partition of said logical partitions, and

allocating a portion of said data that relates to said user to one unique partition of said number of logical partitions.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said number of logical partitions is fixed.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising the step of:

scaling said number of physical databases of said database system without changing said fixed number of logical partitions.

23. The method of claim 20 , wherein said step of changing said number of physical databases further comprises:

scaling said physical databases without changing said number of logical partitions,

wherein a search algorithm for finding data related to a user upon searching only one physical database of said number of physical databases operable prior to said step of scaling operates after said step of scaling.