Method and system for storing self-descriptive tabular data with alphanumeric and binary values

1. A method for storing and retrieving self-descriptive tabular data with alphanumeric and binary values, comprising the steps of:

storing, in a memory of a computer, binary values in a plurality of individual binary files;

generating, for storage in the memory of the computer and in an open tabular format, a file comprising:

a plurality of alphanumeric data values;

meta-information associated with the alphanumeric data values and describing a predetermined set of characteristics of said open tabular format and the alphanumeric data values, the open tabular format includes series data values and associated series meta-information for describing alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing repetitively in the open tabular format, the open tabular format is formed with gap data values and associated gap meta-information for describing gaps in alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing in the open tabular format; and

a plurality of references, with each reference corresponding to one of the individual binary files; and

parsing the generated file to identify locations of the alphanumeric data values and the plurality of references and to allow subsequent selective retrieval of each alphanumeric data value and each reference to an individual binary file.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising expressing the open tabular format as a markup language file.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising associating with said alphanumeric data values and said binary reference values a set of row values and associated row meta-information.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of forming said open tabular format to comprise document information values and associated document meta-information and field information values and associated field meta-information.

5. A system for storing and retrieving self-descriptive tabular data with alphanumeric and binary values, comprising:

a memory storing instructions;

a processor for executing one or more of the instructions, the instructions comprising:

instructions for storing binary values in a plurality of individual binary files;

instructions for generating, in an open tabular format, a file comprising:

a plurality of alphanumeric data values;

meta-information associated with the alphanumeric data values and describing a predetermined set of characteristics of said open tabular format and the alphanumeric data values, the open tabular format includes series data values and associated series meta-information for describing alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing repetitively in the open tabular format, the open tabular format is formed with gap data values and associated gap meta-information for describing gaps in alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing in the open tabular format; and

a plurality of references, with each reference corresponding to one of the individual binary files; and

instructions for parsing the generated file to identify locations of the alphanumeric data values and the plurality of references and to allow subsequent selective retrieval of each alphanumeric data value and each reference to an individual binary file.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising instructions for expressing said open tabular format as a markup language file.

7. The system of claim 5 , further comprising instructions for associating with said alphanumeric data values and said binary reference values a set of row values and associated row meta-information.

8. The system of claim 5 , further comprising instructions for forming said open tabular format to comprise document information values and associated document meta-information and field information values and associated field meta-information.

9. An article comprising a computer-readable medium storing instructions for storing and retrieving self-descriptive tabular data with alphanumeric and binary values, the instructions operable to cause one or more data apparatus to perform operations comprising:

storing binary values in a plurality of individual binary files;

generating, in an open tabular format, a file comprising:

a plurality of alphanumeric data values;

meta-information associated with the alphanumeric data values and describing a predetermined set of characteristics of said open tabular format and the alphanumeric data values, the open tabular format includes series data values and associated series meta-information for describing alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing repetitively in the open tabular format, the open tabular format is formed with gap data values and associated gap meta-information for describing gaps in alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing in the open tabular format; and

a plurality of references, with each reference corresponding to one of the individual binary files; and

parsing the generated file to identify locations of the alphanumeric data values and the plurality of references and to allow subsequent selective retrieval of each alphanumeric data value and each reference to an individual binary file.

10. The article medium of claim 9 , further comprising instructions for expressing said open tabular format as a markup language file.

11. The article medium of claim 9 , further comprising instructions for associating with said alphanumeric data values and said binary reference values a set of row values and associated row meta-information.

12. The article medium of claim 9 , further comprising instructions for forming said open tabular format to comprise document information values and associated document meta-information and field information values and associated field meta-information.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising selectively retrieving at least one of a portion of the alphanumeric data values or an individual binary file from the parsed file.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein an individual binary file consists of one binary value.