XML based object-relationship mapping for different object type
View Patent ↗A method for XML based object-relationship mapping for different object types in a computer system is provided. The method includes creating a database schema in a database layer including a single table with specific database columns for storing known properties as well as customizable database columns for storing extended properties. The method also includes creating an object in an object layer that has specific methods for known properties and dynamic methods for extended properties, where the object types are variations of the object, the object includes fields for the properties, and the object supports reading and writing the properties to corresponding database columns in the table. The method further includes creating an XML file containing definitions for new object types and new properties, where the property definitions include database column names, and the XML file contains display information for GUI management. The method additionally includes outputting display information a GUI.
1. A method for eXtensible Markup Language (XML) based object-relationship mapping for different object types in a computer system, comprising:
creating a database schema in a database layer comprised of a single table with specific database columns for storing known properties as well as customizable database columns for storing extended properties, wherein a common column of the customizable database columns is assigned different definitions depending upon mapping of the object types to the common column between different rows of the table, and wherein at least one of the customizable database columns supports one or more extended object properties beyond an initial definition of the object;
creating an object in an object layer that has specific methods for the known properties, a method to support requests to determine the object types, and dynamic methods for the extended properties, wherein the object types are variations of the object, the object includes fields for the known and extended properties, and the object supports reading and writing the known and extended properties to corresponding database columns in the table;
creating an XML file as a hub to connect the database layer and the object layer, the XML file comprising definitions of all object types that are extensions of the object, the mapping of the object types to the common column of the customizable database columns, and definitions for new object types and new properties, wherein the property definitions include database column names, and the XML file further comprises display information for graphical user interface (GUI) management;
loading the contents of the XML file into an XML cache;
reloading the XML cache to enable the new object types and the new properties at runtime without a restart of the computer system; and
outputting display information associated with the object types and the properties to a GUI,
wherein the XML file includes one or more pointers to property files, the property files providing support for multiple languages for the GUI, such that the GUI automatically supports the new object types and the new properties at runtime and without changes to the GUI that require the restart of the computer system.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
using the XML cache to establish a mapping between the object and the table.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
loading the contents of the XML file into an XML cache upon a command or initialization of the computer system.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the object is an Enterprise Java Bean (EJB) object.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the new object types or the new properties are added through updating the XML file without changing code used to generate the object or modifying the database schema.