A method of replicating changes made to databases distributed throughout a computer network is described. A first program (TP1) in the Collector node instructs a second program (TP2) in the Collectee node to send all updates to a database since the last conversation. TP2 processes queries to retrieve any changes made since the last conversation between the Collector and Collectee nodes and send the data to TP1, which updates the copy of the database on its own system.
In a method for the computer-supported matching of a number of data copies of a stored data file stored in at least one computer, in the reintegration of a number of data copies that were changed during decoupled work phases by users of a shared work environment, and thus exhibit inconsistencies, the reintegration is conducted so that the number of matchings is reduced on the basis of protocol data files.
A system and method for maintaining data coherency in a system in which data is replicated on two or more servers. Each server is able to update the data replica present on the server. Updates are logged for each server. Reconciliation of server data replicas is aggressively initiated upon the occurrence of predefined events. These events include arrival at a scheduled time, a request for data by a client system, server and network failure recovery. Reconciliation is managed by a coordinator server selected to ensure that at most one coordinator server per network partition is selected. Logged updates are merged and transmitted to each server containing a data replica. The logged updates are applied unless a conflict is detected. Conflicts are collected and distributed for resolution. Reconciliation is managed between servers without regard to operating system or physical file system type.
A system for obtaining information from a plurality of computer users (7 to 12), comprising a processing apparatus (2) including an input mechanism (3 and 4) via which a survey author may input data, and a survey authoring mechanism (FIG. 2) enabling construction of a survey questionnaire document including at least one question formulated from data input by the survey author, transmission mechanism (6) for transmitting the survey questionnaire document to a plurality of respondent users (7 to 12); and a processing apparatus (2) including a collating mechanism arranged to receive transmissions from the transmission mechanism, to identify response documents which include responses to the at least one question from the plurality of respondent users and to load a database in accordance with the responses.
A system for obtaining information from a plurality of computer users (7 to 12), comprising a processing apparatus (2) including an input mechanism (3 and 4) via which a survey author may input data, and a survey authoring mechanism (FIG. 2) enabling construction of a survey questionnaire document including at least one question formulated from data input by the survey author, transmission mechanism (6) for transmitting the survey questionnaire document to a plurality of respondent users (7 to 12); and a processing apparatus (2) including a collating mechanism arranged to receive transmissions from the transmission mechanism, to identify response documents which include responses to the at least one question from the plurality of respondent users and to load a database in accordance with the responses.
Data in disparate formats from different data sources are reformatted into a common data format and stored in database servers serving one or more data sources such that each database server contains only a portion of the composite database. A client server and graphical user interface are provided for allowing a client to perform simple search requests on one database server, browse requests on all database servers, or serve complex search requests on one or more database servers. The client server may reformat the resultant search data into one or more specific database formats for retrieval and manipulation by a specific database program or display the information for the client. The present invention has particular application to the semiconductor manufacturing field, for tracking data produced during the processes of semiconductor manufacturing.
