Method and system for archiving data from a source database to a target database

1. A computer implemented method of archiving data from a source database to a target database, the method comprising the following steps:

a) specifying the data being subject to the archiving operation in the source database to define specified data;

b) extracting a data genealogy of the specified data, thereby revealing physical relations among tables of information selected from the group consisting of the specified data and arbitrary rules defined by an administrator in order to create a data tree of the specified data;

c) executing an export or import operation of the specified data from the source database to the target database, thereby starting in a direction from a root of the data tree to leaves of the data tree;

d) after the successful execution of the export or import operation, executing a delete operation in the source database for the specified data, thereby starting in a direction of the leaves of the data tree to the root of the data tree; and

e) scheduling the export or import operation stepwise and thereby only locking records that are currently subject in a respective step of the export or import operation.

2. The method according to claim 1 , which comprises executing the delete operation by deleting in various discrete steps.

3. The method according to claim 1 , which comprises grouping the specified data in partitions.

4. A system for archiving data from a source database to a target database,

the system comprising:

a) a processor configured to process a recursive algorithm for extracting a data genealogy of specified data, to thereby reveal physical relations among tables of information selected from the group consisting of the specified data and arbitrary rules defined by an administrator in order to create a data tree of the specified data, the data tree having a hierarchy with a root and with leaves, wherein the specified data is data subject to an archiving operation in the source database;

b) a device for exporting data from the source database and a device for importing data to the source database, said device for exporting and said device for importing being configured to execute an export or import operation of the specified data from the source database to the target database, and thereby starting the export or import operation in a direction from a root of the data tree to the leaves of the data tree; and

c) a device associated with the source database and configured, after a successful execution of the export or import operation, to execute a delete operation in the source database for the specified data, thereby starting in a direction of the leaves of the data tree to the root of the data tree;

wherein said device for exporting data and said device for importing data are configured to execute the export or import operation stepwise, thereby only locking records that are currently subject to a respective step of the export or import operation.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the device for deleting is configured to execute the delete operation in various discrete steps.

6. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the specifying means is configured to group the specified data in partitions.