Storing and delivering program code for manipulation of a user-defined data type

1. A computer-implemented method for use in delivering data of a user-defined type to a requesting system, the method comprising:

receiving a request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type;

identifying a storage location for the requested data;

identifying a storage location for program code designed to allow manipulation of the requested data on the requesting system;

retrieving both the requested data and the program code from their respective storage locations;

delivering both the requested data and the program code to the requesting system;

receiving a subsequent request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type; and

in response, delivering the data requested in the subsequent request to the requesting system without delivering the program code.

2. A computer-implemented method for use in delivering data of a user-defined type to a requesting system, the method comprising:

receiving a request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type;

identifying a storage location for the requested data;

identifying a storage location for program code designed to allow manipulation of the requested data on the requesting system;

retrieving both the requested data and the program code from their respective storage locations;

delivering both the requested data and the program code to the requesting system;

receiving a subsequent request from the requesting system for data of the user defined type, where the subsequent request includes version information identifying a version the program code delivered previously to the requesting system;

comparing the version information to information identifying a current version of the program code; and

if the two versions match, delivering the data requested in the subsequent request to the requesting system without delivering the program code.

3. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in delivering data of a user-defined type to a requesting system, the program comprising executable instructions that, when executed in the database system, cause the system to:

receive a request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type;

identify a storage location for the requested data;

identify a storage location for program code designed to allow manipulation of the requested data on the requesting system;

retrieve both the requested data and the program code from their respective storage locations;

deliver both the requested data and the program code to the requesting system;

receive a subsequent request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type; and

in response, deliver the data requested in the subsequent request to the requesting system without delivering the program code.

4. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in delivering data of a user-defined type to a requesting system, the program comprising executable instructions that, when executed in the database system, cause the system to:

receive a request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type;

identify a storage location for the requested data;

identify a storage location for program code designed to allow manipulation of the requested data on the requesting system;

retrieve both the requested data and the program code from their respective storage locations;

deliver both the requested data and the program code to the requesting system;

receive a subsequent request from the requesting system for data of the user defined type, where the subsequent request includes version information identifying a version the program code delivered previously to the requesting system;

compare the version information to information identifying a current version of the program code; and

if the two versions match, deliver the data requested in the subsequent request to the requesting system without delivering the program code.

5. A database system comprising:

a data-storage facility; and

a computer system connected to the data-storage facility and configured to:

receive a request from a requesting system for data of a user-defined type;

identify a storage location in the data-storage facility for the requested data;

identify a storage location in the data-storage facility for program code designed to allow manipulation of the requested data on the requesting system;

retrieve both the requested data and the program code from their respective storage locations;

deliver both the requested data and the program code to the requesting system;

receive a subsequent request from the requesting system for data of the user-defined type; and

in response, deliver the data requested in the subsequent request to the requesting system without delivering the program code.

6. A database system comprising:

a data-storage facility; and

a computer system connected to the data-storage facility and configured to:

receive a request from a requesting system for data of a user-defined type;

identify a storage location in the data-storage facility for the requested data;

identify a storage location in the data-storage facility for program code designed to allow manipulation of the requested data on the requesting system;

retrieve both the requested data and the program code from their respective storage locations;

deliver both the requested data and the program code to the requesting system;

receive a subsequent request from the requesting system for data of the user defined type, where the subsequent request includes version information identifying a version the program code delivered previously to the requesting system;

compare the version information to information identifying a current version of the program code; and

if the two versions match, deliver the data requested in the subsequent request to the requesting system without delivering the program code.