Term database extension for label system

Abstract

A method stores, uses and suggests terms in a business solution software program having multiple languages. Instead of only searching for a general use of a term based on its text and general use, one can search for a term based on a specific use in a module. Each term is assigned its own unique identifier in a term ID structure, which also contains information related to how the term is used in the system. The text for the term is stored in a separate term text structure. The term text structure contains the text of the label in all of the available languages. The specific use of the term is stored in a separate term area table including a description of the specific use of the term. When a new label is written the developer can search the current terms to find a term that matches the intended use.

1 . A data structure representing a term comprising: 
 a term identification (ID);    a term text including text in a plurality of languages; and    a term area.    
   
   
       2 . The data structure of  claim 1  wherein the term ID comprises: 
 an ID;    a state;    a category; and    a description field indicating how the term is used.    
   
   
       3 . The data structure of  claim 2  wherein the term ID further comprises an indication that the term is a duplicate of another term stored in a duplicated from field.  
   
   
       4 . The data structure of  claim 2  wherein the category further comprises: 
 a node type;    an object; and    a property name.    
   
   
       5 . The data structure of  claim 2  wherein the ID is a GUID.  
   
   
       6 . The data structure of  claim 3  wherein the duplicated from field includes the ID for the term that the current term was duplicate from.  
   
   
       7 . The data structure of  claim 2  wherein the term ID includes a field indicating if the term is a master term.  
   
   
       8 . The data structure of  claim 1  wherein the state field includes information to manage the use of the term.  
   
   
       9 . The data structure of  claim 8  wherein the state field includes information indicating if the term has been proofread.  
   
   
       10 . The data structure of  claim 1  wherein the term text comprises: 
 a textual phrase entry in an original language;    a translation of the textual phrase into at least one of the plurality of languages.    
   
   
       11 . The data structure of  claim 10  wherein the term text further comprises: 
 an edited date field for each entry in the term text indicating the date that entry was created.    
   
   
       12 . The data structure of  claim 11  wherein the term text further comprises: 
 a unique ID for each entry in the term text; and    a field holding a unique ID for a master term.    
   
   
       13 . The data structure of  claim 1  wherein the term area further comprises: 
 a name key; and    a description key.    
   
   
       14 . The data structure of  claim 13  wherein the description key includes information related to the specific area of the term.  
   
   
       15 . The data structure of  claim 13  wherein the name key includes an indication of where in an application the term is used.  
   
   
       16 . The data structure of  claim 1  wherein the term ID, the term text and the term area are in a single table.  
   
   
       17 . A computer system configured to generate label texts for computer application, comprising: 
 a label interface system;    a label text database, the label text database having fields providing a term identification, a term text including text in a plurality of languages and a term area; and    wherein the label interface system is configured to provide access the label text database.    
   
   
       18 . The label system of  claim 17  wherein the term ID comprises: 
 an ID;    a state;    a category; and    a description field indicating how the term is used.    
   
   
       19 . The label system of  claim 17  wherein the term text further comprises: 
 a textual phrase entry in an original language;    a translation of the textual phrase into at least one of the plurality of languages;    an edited date field for each entry in the term text indicating the date that entry was created.    
   
   
       20 . The label system of  claim 17  wherein the term area further comprises: 
 a name key providing an indication of where in an application the term is used; and    a description key providing information related to the specific area of the term.