Method, a computer system and a computer readable medium for querying objects by means of metadata
This invention concerns a method for a computer system, a computer system and a computer readable medium. The computer system stores electronic objects being defined by metadata. The method comprises at least retrieving objects based on metadata of the metadata of the object.
1. A method for a computer system storing electronic objects, the electronic objects being defined by metadata having at least one property, wherein the method comprises
receiving a search query from the computer system for at least one retrievable electronic object, said search query comprising a reference path and a search term;
determining whether the reference path between a retrievable electronic object and a search term is complied, the determination comprising
starting from a first reference in the reference path and having all electronic objects under determination:
a) considering a reference as a property for an electronic object whose value defines one or more electronic objects;
b) determining which electronic objects from the electronic objects under determination has such property;
c) using the values of such property to find next electronic objects
d) if said reference is not a second-last reference in the reference path, replacing the electronic objects under determination with the found electronic objects, and moving forward to next reference processing, continuing from step a);
e) if said reference is the second-last reference in the reference path, taking each found electronic object, and moving forward to last reference processing, continuing from step f);
f) determining which found electronic objects has a property corresponding the last reference and whether the property has a value corresponding to the search term;
retrieving such electronic objects.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein electronic objects are retrieved as a response to query of electronic objects.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising utilizing the retrieved electronic objects for navigation in a virtual space.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising forming virtual folders for retrieved electronic objects.
5. A computer system configured to store electronic objects, the electronic objects being defined by metadata having at least one property, wherein the computer system comprises at least
receiving means for receiving a search query for at least one retrievable electronic object, said search query comprising a reference path and a search term;
determining means for determining whether the reference path between a retrievable electronic object and a search term is complied, the determining means being configured to perform
starting from a first reference in the reference path and having all electronic objects under determination:
a) considering a reference as a property for an electronic object whose value defines one or more electronic objects;
b) determining which electronic objects from the electronic objects under determination has such property;
c) using the values of such property to find next electronic objects
d) if said reference is not a second-last reference in the reference path, replacing the electronic objects under determination with the found electronic objects, and moving forward to next reference processing, continuing from step a);
e) if said reference is the second-last reference in the reference path, taking each found electronic object, and moving forward to last reference processing, continuing from step f);
f) determining which found electronic objects has a property corresponding the last reference and whether the property has a value corresponding to the search term;
retrieving means for retrieving such electronic objects.
6. The computer system according to claim 5 , wherein the retrieving means are configured to retrieve electronic objects as a response to query of electronic objects.
7. The computer system according to claim 6 , being configured to utilize the retrieved electronic objects for navigation in a virtual space.
8. The computer system according to claim 5 , further comprising forming means for virtual folders for retrieved electronic objects.
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium for a computer system storing electronic objects, the electronic objects being defined by metadata having at least one property, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium comprises computer program instructions stored thereon, wherein said instructions when executed are for
receiving a search query for at least one retrievable electronic object, said search query comprising a reference path and a search term;
determining whether the reference path between a retrievable electronic object and a search term is complied, the determination comprising
starting from a first reference in the reference path and having all electronic objects under determination:
a) considering a reference as a property for an electronic object whose value defines one or more electronic objects;
b) determining which electronic objects from the electronic objects under determination has such property;
c) using the values of such property to find next electronic objects
d) if said reference is not a second-last reference in the reference path, replacing the electronic objects under determination with the found electronic objects, and moving forward to next reference processing, continuing from step a);
e) if said reference is the second-last reference in the reference path, taking each found electronic object, and moving forward to last reference processing, continuing from step f);
f) determining which found electronic objects has a property corresponding the last reference and whether the metadata has a value corresponding the search term;
retrieving such electronic objects.
10. A computer system comprising:
a processor,
memory including computer program code,
the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the computer system at least to perform:
storing electronic objects, the electronic objects being defined by metadata having at least one property; and
receiving a search query for at least one retrievable electronic object, said search query comprising a reference path and a search term;
determining whether the reference path between a retrievable electronic object and a search term is complied, the determination comprising
starting from a first reference and having all electronic objects under determination:
a) considering a reference as a property for an electronic object whose value is one or more electronic objects;
b) determining which electronic objects from the electronic objects under determination has such property;
c) using the values of such property to find next electronic objects
d) if said reference is not a second-last reference in the reference path, replacing the electronic objects under determination with the found electronic objects, and moving forward to next reference processing, continuing from step a);
e) if said reference is the second-last reference in the reference path, taking each found electronic object, and moving forward to last reference processing, continuing from step f);
f) determining which found electronic objects has a property corresponding the last reference and whether the property has a value corresponding to the search term;
retrieving such electronic objects.
11. The computer system according to claim 10 , wherein the retrieving electronic objects is performed as a response to query of electronic objects.
12. The computer system according to claim 10 , further utilizing the retrieved electronic objects for navigation in a virtual space.
13. The computer system according to claim 10 , further forming virtual folders for retrieved electronic objects.