Microsoft patents database system that keeps data definitions consistent during updates
Microsoft has been granted a patent for a relational database system that uses versioned metadata to manage data definitions. The system allows one process to read data definitions while another process updates them, ensuring the reader sees a consistent version of the data structure throughout its operation.
In the filing’s own words
Relational database systems are disclosed that are enabled to operate with versioned metadata. The relational database system includes a lock manager, a transaction manager and a version aware metadata storage and cache configured to store to store and manage versions of metadata, to determine which of such versions should be visible at any given point in time, and to enable creation of the proper versions of metadata. In an aspect, the transaction manager manages transaction identifiers and their associated start times, abort times and/or commit times. Such data enables determination of transaction visibility, and consequently the metadata version visibility, for any point in time. In an aspect, such metadata versioning support enables snapshot isolation of metadata transactions.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A relational database system, comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores program code structured to cause the processor to: begin a first transaction for a first query directed to first data and referencing a metadata object that is metadata to the first data, a first version of the metadata object stored in storage, the beginning of the first transaction including obtaining a metadata access lock on the metadata object, and beginning execution of a first query plan for the first query; perform a second transaction subsequent to the beginning of the first transaction at least by obtaining a metadata change lock on the metadata object, modifying the metadata object to create a second version of the metadata object using the metadata change lock and as allowed by the metadata access lock, storing the second version of the metadata object in the storage, and committing the second transaction; and complete the first transaction subsequent to the committing of the second transaction at least by completing execution of the first query plan, and committing the first transaction.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Schema snapshot isolation access in a relational database
- Patent number
- US12762112B2
- Application number
- 19194515
- Filed
- Apr 30, 2025
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 16/2379 Physics & computingG06F 16/2343 Physics & computingG06F 16/24542 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.