초록 ▼

A rule-based methodology is described which supports automatic mapping of data fields between different data sets in a data processing environment. If a field cannot be mapped or matched based on name alone (e.g., an identical match), the methodology employs rules to determine a type for the field,

A rule-based methodology is described which supports automatic mapping of data fields between different data sets in a data processing environment. If a field cannot be mapped or matched based on name alone (e.g., an identical match), the methodology employs rules to determine a type for the field, based on the field's name. The determined type of the field is then used for matching. The methodology can be employed to match fields which appear dissimilar phonetically but are otherwise appropriate for matching. In the currently-preferred embodiment, rules are stated in form of: regular expression=type. Here, the regular expression member lists the text strings or substring(s) for the field. The rules are ordered in descending preference according to the likelihood that a given rule will correctly identify a field. In this mariner, the methodology allows the task of mapping fields from one data set to another to be entirely automated.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In an electronic apparatus, a method of mapping a first data field of a first data set with a data field of a second data set, the method comprising the steps of:defining a plurality of field types for commonly used types of data fields; associating one or more text substrings with each of said f

1. In an electronic apparatus, a method of mapping a first data field of a first data set with a data field of a second data set, the method comprising the steps of:defining a plurality of field types for commonly used types of data fields; associating one or more text substrings with each of said field types; searching for said text substrings in a name for said first data field; assigning a first field type to said first data field, based on the text substrings, if any, that are contained in said name for said first data field; and automatically mapping said first data field to a second data field of the second data set that also has said first field type, without requiring user intervention.