Method and apparatus for defining common entity relationships

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a system for configuring, designing, and/or implementing common metadata and common data is detailed as a new type of data relationship, within and between databases.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method comprising
 using a computer processor to access a first repository of metadata in a computer memory; 
 using a computer processor to store a first data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata, wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram includes a plurality of data entities and a plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of data entity relationships links one of the plurality of data entities with only one of the plurality of data entities; 
 wherein each of the plurality of data entities relates to one of a plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram includes a first data entity of the plurality of data entities relating to a first data entity overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first data entity includes a first data attribute relating to a sub topic of the first data entity overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the first data attribute to be a first unique key for the first data entity by storing a first unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the first data attribute is a first unique key for the first data entity; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the first data attribute is a first unique key for the first data entity, wherein the first data entity is comprised of a plurality of instances, and the first data attribute uniquely identifies each of the plurality of instances of the first data entity; 
 wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram includes a second data entity of the plurality of data entities relating to a second data entity overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the second data entity includes a second data attribute relating to a sub topic of the second data entity overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the second data attribute to be a second unique key for the second data entity by storing a second unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the second data attribute is a second unique key of the second data entity; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the second data attribute is a second unique key for the second data entity; wherein the second data entity is comprised of a plurality of instances, and the second data attribute uniquely identifies each of the plurality of instances of the second data entity; 
 using a computer processor to add a first common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata; wherein the first common entity relationship set groups together a plurality of common group unique keys wherein each of the plurality of common group unique keys is the same as each of the other of the plurality of common group unique keys, except that each of the plurality of common group unique keys includes a data entity link stored in the computer memory which specifies a data entity of the plurality of data entities to which each of the common group unique keys is related, such that each of the plurality of common group unique keys is related to a different data entity of the plurality of data entities; 
 wherein the plurality of common group keys includes the first data attribute and the second data attribute; 
 and the method further comprising using a computer processor to add a first common entity relationship indicator to computer memory to indicate that the first data attribute is a member of the first common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to add a second common entity relationship indicator to the computer memory to indicate that the second data attribute is a member of the first common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to store a common entity relationship link in the first data entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory, wherein the common entity relationship link links the first data attribute of the first data entity and the second data attribute of the second data entity, 
 wherein the common entity relationship link is a peer-to-peer type of link; and wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram, including the first data entity, the second data entity, the first data attribute and the second data attribute are stored in the first repository of metadata prior to adding the first common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising
 using a computer processor to store a first common set of master data indicator in the first repository of metadata; 
 wherein each of the plurality of data entities has a plurality of instances; 
 wherein two or more of the plurality of data entities are linked to the first common entity relationship set by one or more of the plurality of common group unique keys; 
 wherein the first common set of master data indicator indicates that the first data entity manages the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the first common entity relationship set by one or more of the plurality of common group unique keys; 
 using a computer processor to retrieve the first common set of master data indicator from the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to modify the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the first common entity relationship set based on the first common set of master data indicator; 
 wherein the first data entity includes a plurality of instances; 
 wherein the second data entity includes a plurality of instances; 
 wherein the plurality of instances for the first common entity relationship set includes the plurality of instances of the first data entity and the plurality of instances of the second data entity and the first data entity and the second data entity are members of the first common entity relationship set; 
 using a computer processor to configure the plurality of instances of the first common entity relationship set in the computer memory by using the first data attribute of the first data entity in a manner which ensures that each of the plurality of instances of the first common entity relationship set is uniquely identified in the computer memory by the first data attribute; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of instances of the second data entity is one of the plurality of instances of the first data entity. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  further comprising
 using a computer processor to add a first data model database to the first data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to add a second data model database to the first data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to add a first further plurality of data entities and a first further plurality of data entity relationships to the first data model database in the first data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to add a second further plurality of data entities and a second further plurality of data entity relationships to the second data model database in the first data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to database instantiate the 
 first data model database and the second data model database as two different physical databases; 
 where the first data entity is a member of the first data model database and the second data entity is a member of the second data model database. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  further comprising
 using a computer processor to store a second data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata; 
 wherein the second data entity-relationship diagram includes a third further plurality of data entities and a third further plurality of data entity relationships stored in a computer memory, such that each of the third further plurality of data entity relationships links one of the third further plurality of data entities with only one of the third further plurality of data entities; 
 wherein each of the third further plurality of data entities relates to one of a first further plurality of overall topics; 
 using a computer processor to store a third data model database in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to add the third data model database to the second data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to store a third data entity in the third data model database in the second data entity-relationship diagram; 
 where the third data entity relates to one of a second further plurality of overall topics; 
 where the third data entity includes a third data attribute relating to a sub topic of a third data entity overall topic of the second further plurality of overall topics; 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the third data attribute to be a third unique key for the third data entity by storing a third unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the third data attribute is a third unique key; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the third data attribute is a third unique key and is a unique key for the third data entity, wherein the third data entity is comprised of a plurality of instances, and the third data attribute uniquely identifies each of the plurality of instances of the third data entity; 
 the method further comprises using the computer processor to add a third common entity relationship indicator to the computer memory to indicate that the third data attribute is a member of the first common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to store a common entity relationship link in the second entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory, wherein the common entity relationship link links the first data attribute of the first data entity, the second data attribute of the second data entity, the third data attribute of the third data entity; 
 wherein the common entity relationship link is a peer-to-peer type of link; 
 and wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram including the first data entity, the second data entity, the first data attribute and the second data attribute and the second entity-relationship diagram including the third data entity, the third data attribute are stored in the first repository of metadata prior to adding the first common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to retrieve the first common set of master data indicator from the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to modify the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the first common entity relationship set based on the first common set of master data indicator; 
 wherein the plurality of instances for the first common entity relationship set includes the plurality of instances of the first data entity, the plurality of instances of the second data entity, the plurality of the third data entity; 
 wherein the first data entity, the second data entity, the third data entity are members of the first common entity relationship set; 
 using a computer processor to configure the plurality of instances of the first common entity relationship set in the computer memory by using the first data attribute of the first data entity in a manner which ensures that each of the plurality of instances of the first common entity relationship set is uniquely identified in the computer memory by the first data attribute; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of instances of the second data entity is one of the plurality of instances of the first data entity; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of instances of the third data entity is one of the plurality of instances of the first data entity. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  further comprising
 using a computer processor to add a third data attribute to the first data entity in the first repository of metadata; 
 wherein the third data attribute relates to a sub topic of the first data entity overall topic; 
 using a computer processor to add a fourth data attribute to the second data entity in the first repository of metadata; 
 where the fourth data attribute relates to a sub topic of the second data entity overall topic; 
 wherein the third data attribute and the fourth data attribute are the same. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3  further comprising
 using a computer processor to add a third data entity to the first data model database in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to add a fourth data entity to the second data model database in the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to add a third data attribute and a fourth data attribute to the third data entity; 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the third data attribute and the fourth data attribute to be a first composite unique key for the third data entity by storing a third unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the composite of the third data attribute and the fourth data attribute is a first composite unique key; 
 using a computer processor to add a fifth data attribute and a sixth data attribute to the fourth data entity; 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the fifth data attribute and the sixth data attribute to be a second composite unique key for the third data entity by storing a third unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the composite of the fifth data attribute and the sixth data attribute is a second composite unique key; 
 using a computer processor to add a second common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata; wherein the second common entity relationship set groups together a further plurality of common group unique keys wherein each of the further plurality of common group unique keys is the same as each of the other of the further plurality of common group unique keys, except that each of the further plurality of common group unique keys includes a data entity link stored in the computer memory which specifies a data entity of the plurality of data entities to which each of the further plurality of common group unique keys is related, such that each of the further plurality of common group unique keys is related to a different data entity of the plurality of data entities; 
 wherein the further plurality of common group keys includes the first composite unique key and the second composite unique key; 
 and the method further comprising using a computer processor to add a third common entity relationship indicator to computer memory to indicate that the first composite unique key is a member of the second common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to add a fourth common entity relationship indicator to the computer memory to indicate that the second composite unique key is a member of the second common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to store a common entity relationship link in the first data entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory, wherein the common entity relationship link links the first composite unique key of the third data entity and the second composite unique key of the fourth data entity, 
 wherein the common entity relationship link is a peer-to-peer type of link; 
 wherein the computer processor adds the third data attribute and the fourth data attribute to the third data entity and declares the third data attribute and the fourth data attribute to be a first composite unique key for the third data entity prior to adding the second common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata; and 
 wherein the computer processor adds the fifth data attribute and the sixth data attribute to the fourth data entity and declares the fifth data attribute and the sixth data attribute to be a second composite unique key for the fourth data entity prior to adding the second common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising
 using a computer processor to store a second common set of master data indicator in the first repository of metadata; 
 wherein the second common set of master data indicator indicates that the third data entity manages the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the second common entity relationship set by one or more of the plurality of common group unique keys; 
 using a computer processor to retrieve the second common set of master data indicator from the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to modify the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the second common entity relationship set based on the second common set of master data indicator; 
 wherein the third data entity includes a plurality of instances; 
 wherein the fourth data entity includes a plurality of instances; 
 wherein the plurality of instances for the second common entity relationship set includes the plurality of instances of the third data entity and the plurality of instances of the fourth data entity and the third data entity and the fourth data entity are members of the second common entity relationship set; 
 using a computer processor to configure the plurality of instances of the second common entity relationship set in the computer memory by using the first composite unique key of the third data entity in a manner which ensures that each of the plurality of instances of the second common entity relationship set is uniquely identified in the computer memory by the first composite unique key; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of instances of the fourth data entity is one of the plurality of instances of the third data entity. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  further comprising
 using a computer processor to add a seventh data attribute to the third data entity in the first repository of metadata; 
 wherein the seventh data attribute relates to a sub topic of a third data entity overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; 
 using a computer processor to add an eighth data attribute to the fourth data entity in the first repository of metadata; 
 where the eighth data attribute relates to a sub topic of a fourth data entity overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; and 
 where the seventh data attribute and the eighth data attribute are the same. 
 
     
     
       9. A method comprising
 using a computer processor to store a first database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the first database includes a plurality of database tables and a plurality of database foreign key constraints, such that each of the plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the plurality of database tables with only one of the plurality of database tables; 
 wherein each of the plurality of database tables relates to one of a plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first database includes a first database table of the plurality of database tables relating to a first database table overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first database table includes a first database table column relating to a sub topic of the first database table overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate the first database table column with a first plurality of data values; 
 using a computer processor to use the first plurality of data values of the first database table column as a source of data values for a first unique index for the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to the enforce the first unique index of the first database table, where the first unique index is programmed to reject the storage in the first database table of any duplicate data values of the first plurality of data values; 
 wherein the first database table is comprised of a plurality of data records, and each data value of the first plurality of data values in the first database table column uniquely identifies each of the plurality of data records of the first database table; 
 wherein the first database includes a second database table of the plurality of database tables relating to a second database table overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the second database table includes a second database table column relating to a sub topic of the second database table overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate the second database table column with of a second plurality of data values; 
 using a computer processor to use the second plurality of data values of the second database column as a source of data values for a second unique index for the second database table; 
 using a computer processor to reject the storage in the second database table of any duplicate data values in the second plurality of data values, so that each of the second plurality of data values is different from each of the other of the second plurality of data values; 
 wherein the second database table is comprised of a plurality of data records, and each data value of the second plurality of data values in the second database table column uniquely identifies each of the plurality of data records in the second database table; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of data records of the second database table is one of the plurality of data records of the first database table; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the second database table may only be modified to match one of the data records of the plurality data records of the first database table; and 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records from the first database table may not be changed if the same data record is in the plurality of data records of the second database table; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the first database table cannot be deleted from the first database table if that same data record is in the plurality of data records of the second database table. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising
 using a computer processor to add a third database table column to the first database table in the first database; 
 wherein the third database table column relates to a sub topic of the first database table overall topic; 
 using a computer processor to add a fourth database table column to the second database table in the first database; 
 where the fourth database column relates to a sub topic of the second database table overall topic; 
 where the third database table column and the fourth database table column include the same data attributes. 
 
     
     
       11. A method comprising
 using a computer processor to store a first database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the first database includes a plurality of database tables and a plurality of database foreign key constraints, such that each of the plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the plurality of database tables with only one of the plurality of database tables; 
 wherein each of the plurality of database tables relates to one of a plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first database includes a first database table of the plurality of database tables relating to a first database table overall topic of the plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first database table includes a first database table column relating to a sub topic of the first database table overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate the first database table column with a first plurality of data values; 
 using a computer processor to use the first plurality of data values of the first database table column as a source of data values for a first unique index for the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to reject the storage in the first database table of any duplicate data values in the first plurality of data values, so that each of the first plurality of data values is different from each of the other of the first plurality of data values; 
 wherein the first database table is comprised of a plurality of data records, and each data value of the first plurality of data values stored in the first database table column uniquely identifies each of the plurality of data records of the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to store a second database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the second database includes a further plurality of database tables and a further plurality of database foreign key constraints, such that each of the further plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the further plurality of database tables with only one of the further plurality of database tables; 
 wherein each of the plurality of database tables relates to one of a further plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the second database includes a second database table of the further plurality of database tables relating to a second database table overall topic of the further plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the second database table includes a second database table column relating to a sub topic of the second database table overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate the second database table column with a second plurality of data values; 
 using a computer processor to reject the storage in the second database table of any duplicate data values in the second plurality of data values, so that each of the second plurality of data values is different from each of the other of the second plurality of data values; 
 wherein the second database table is comprised of a plurality of data records, and each data value of the second plurality of data values stored in the second database table column uniquely identifies each of the plurality of data records of the second database table; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of data records of the second database table stored in the second database is one of the plurality of data records of the first database table stored in the first database; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the second database table stored in the second database may only be modified to match one of the data records of the plurality data records of the first database table stored in the first database; and 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records from the first database table stored in the first database may not be changed if the same data record is in the plurality of data records of the second database table stored in the second database; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the first database table stored in the first database cannot be deleted from the first database table if that same data record is in the plurality of data records of the second database table stored in the second database. 
 
     
     
       12. A method comprising
 using a computer processor to access a first repository of metadata in a computer memory; 
 using a computer processor to store a first data entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata, wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram includes a first plurality of data entities and a first plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of data entity relationships links one of the first plurality of data entities with only one of the first plurality of data entities; 
 wherein each of the first plurality of data entities relates to one of a first plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first data entity-relationship diagram includes a first data entity of the first plurality of data entities relating to a first data entity overall topic of the first plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the first data entity includes a first data attribute relating to a sub topic of the first data entity overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the first data attribute to be a first unique key for the first data entity by storing a first unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the first data attribute is a first unique key for the first data entity; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the first data attribute is a first unique key for the first data entity, wherein the first data entity is comprised of a first plurality of instances, and the first data attribute uniquely identifies each of the first plurality of instances of the first data entity; 
 using a computer processor to access a second repository of metadata in the computer memory; 
 using a computer processor to store a second data entity-relationship diagram in the second repository of metadata, wherein the second data entity-relationship diagram includes a second plurality of data entities and a second plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the second plurality of data entity relationships links one of the second plurality of data entities with only one of the second plurality of data entities; 
 wherein each of the second plurality of data entities relates to one of a second plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the second data entity-relationship diagram includes a second data entity of the second plurality of data entities relating to a second data entity overall topic of the second plurality of overall topics; 
 wherein the second data entity includes a second data attribute relating to a sub topic of the second data entity overall topic; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to declare the second data attribute to be a second unique key for the second data entity by storing a second unique key indicator in the computer memory to indicate that the second data attribute is a second unique key for the second data entity; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the second data attribute is a second unique key for the second data entity, wherein the second data entity is comprised of a second plurality of instances, and the second data attribute uniquely identifies each of the second plurality of instances of the second data entity; 
 using a computer processor to add a first common entity relationship set as data to the first repository of metadata and to the second repository of metadata; 
 wherein the first common entity relationship set groups together a plurality of common group unique keys wherein each of the plurality of common group unique keys is the same as each of the other of the plurality of common group unique keys, except that each of the plurality of common group unique keys includes a data entity link stored in the computer memory which specifies a data entity of the plurality of data entities to which each of the common group unique keys is related, such that each of the plurality of common group unique keys is related to a different data entity of the plurality of data entities; 
 wherein the plurality of common group keys includes the first data attribute of the first data entity of the first entity-relationship diagram; 
 wherein the plurality of common group keys includes the second data attribute of the second data entity of the second entity-relationship diagram; 
 and the method further comprising using a computer processor to add a first common entity relationship indicator to computer memory to indicate that the first data attribute is a member of the first common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to add a second common entity relationship indicator to the computer memory to indicate that the second data attribute is a member of the first common entity relationship set in the second repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to store a first common entity relationship link in the first data entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory, wherein the first common entity relationship link links the first data attribute of the first data entity to the first common entity relationship set; 
 using a computer processor to store a second common entity relationship link in the second data entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory, wherein the second common entity relationship link links the second data attribute of the second data entity to the first common entity relationship set. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising
 using a computer processor to store a first database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the first database includes a first plurality of database tables database instantiated from the first plurality of data entities and a first plurality of database foreign key constraints database instantiated from the first plurality of data entity relationships, such that each of the first plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the first plurality of database tables with only one of the first plurality of database tables; 
 wherein the first database includes a first database table of the first plurality of database tables database instantiated from the first data entity; 
 wherein the first database table includes a first database table column that is database instantiated from the first data attribute; 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate a first unique index from the first unique key of the first data entity for the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the first database table column of the first database table is the first unique index for the first database table, 
 wherein the first database table is comprised of a first plurality of data records, and the first database table column uniquely identifies each of the first plurality of data records for the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to read metadata from the second repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to store a second database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the second database includes a second plurality of database tables database instantiated from the second plurality of data entities and a second plurality of database foreign key constraints database instantiated from the second plurality of data entity relationships, such that each of the second plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the second plurality of database tables with only one of the second plurality of database tables; 
 wherein the second database includes a second database table of the second plurality of database tables database instantiated from the second data entity; 
 wherein the second database table includes a second database table column that is database instantiated from the second data attribute; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate a second unique index from a second unique key of the second data entity for the second database table; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the second database table column of the second database table is the second unique index for the second database table, 
 wherein the second database table is comprised of a second plurality of data records, and the second database table column uniquely identifies each of the second plurality of data records for the second database table; 
 using a computer processor to store a first computer program in a predefined location in the computer memory; 
 using a computer processor to store data referring to the predefined location in the first common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata; and 
 using a computer processor to store the predefined location in the first common entity relationship set in the second repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor implementing the first computer program, to add a first plurality of data records to the first database table in the first database; 
 using a computer processor implementing the first computer program, to add a second plurality of data records to second database table in the second database; 
 wherein the first plurality of data records and the second plurality of data records are the same. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12  further comprising
 using a computer processor to add a first common set of master data indicator to the first common entity relationship set in the first repository of metadata and to the second repository of metadata; 
 wherein the first common set of master data indicator indicates that the first data entity of the first entity-relationship diagram is used by a computer processor to manage the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the first common entity relationship set by one or more of the plurality of common group unique keys; 
 using a computer processor to retrieve the first common set of master data indicator from the first repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to modify the plurality of instances of the two or more data entities which are linked to the first common entity relationship set based on the first common set of master data indicator; 
 wherein the first data entity includes a plurality of instances; 
 wherein the second data entity includes a plurality of instances; 
 wherein the plurality of instances for the first common entity relationship set includes the plurality of instances of the first data entity and the plurality of instances of the second data entity and the first data entity and the second data entity are members of the first common entity relationship set; 
 using a computer processor to configure the plurality of instances of the first common entity relationship set in the computer memory by using the first unique key of the first data entity in a manner which ensures that each of the plurality of instances of the first common entity relationship set is uniquely identified in the computer memory by the first unique key; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of instances of the second data entity is one of the plurality of instances of the first data entity. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  further comprising
 using a computer processor to store a first database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the first database includes a first plurality of database tables database instantiated from the first plurality of data entities and a first plurality of database foreign key constraints database instantiated from the first plurality of data entity relationships, such that each of the first plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the first plurality of database tables with only one of the first plurality of database tables; 
 wherein the first database includes a first database table of the first plurality of database tables database instantiated from the first data entity; 
 wherein the first database table includes a first database table column that is database instantiated from the first data attribute; 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate a first unique index from the first unique key of the first data entity for the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the first database table column of the first database table is the first unique index for the first database table, 
 wherein the first database table is comprised of a first plurality of data records, and the first database table column uniquely identifies each of the first plurality of data records for the first database table; 
 using a computer processor to read metadata from the second repository of metadata; 
 using a computer processor to store a second database in a computer memory; 
 wherein the second database includes a second plurality of database tables database instantiated from the second plurality of data entities and a second plurality of database foreign key constraints database instantiated from the second plurality of data entity relationships, such that each of the second plurality of database foreign key constraints links one of the second plurality of database tables with only one of the second plurality of database tables; 
 wherein the second database includes a second database table of the second plurality of database tables database instantiated from the second data entity; 
 wherein the second database table includes a second database table column that is database instantiated from the second data attribute; and 
 the method further comprising using a computer processor to database instantiate a second unique index from a second unique key of the second data entity for the second database table; 
 using a computer processor to determine that the second database table column of the second database table is the second unique index for the second database table, 
 wherein the second database table is comprised of a second plurality of data records, and the second database table column uniquely identifies each of the second plurality of data records for the second database table; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each of the plurality of data records of the second database table is one of the plurality of data records of the first database table; 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the second database table may only be modified to match one of the data records of the plurality data records of the first database table; and 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records from the first database table may not be changed if the same data record is in the plurality of data records of the second database table; and 
 using the computer processor to ensure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the first database table cannot be deleted from the first database table if that same data record is in the plurality of data records of the second database table. 
 
     
     
       16. A computing system, comprising:
 a computer processor;   a computer memory having stored therein:   a first data entity with a first unique key, which serves as a unique key in the first data entity;   a second data entity with the first unique key, which serves as a unique key in the second data entity;   a first common entity relationship set relating the first unique key of the first data entity with the first unique key of the second data entity; and   wherein the computer memory includes instructions stored therein for programing the computer processor to:   database instantiate a first database table from the first data entity and a first unique index in the first database table from the first unique key in the first data entity;   database instantiate a second database table from the second data entity and the first unique index in the second database table from the first unique key in the second data entity;   populate the first database table with data records;   declare the data records of the first database table as a first single common set of master data records;   populate the second database table with data records from the first single common set of master data records;   wherein the second database table is a dependent table which is dependent on the first database table;   wherein the computer processor limits the data records permitted in the second database table, such that all data records permitted in the second database table must be in the first database table; and   wherein the computer processor is programmed to permit creation of one or more data records in the first database table by adding a corresponding one or more rows to the first database table without consideration for data records of the second database table.   
     
     
       17. The computing system of claim 16:
 wherein the first unique key of the first data entity is a first alternate key;   wherein the first unique key of the second data entity is the first alternate key;   wherein the first unique index in the first database table is not a primary index in the first database table; and   wherein the first unique index in the second database table is not a primary index for the second database table.   
     
     
       18. The computing system of claim 16
 wherein the first unique key of the first data entity is a first composite alternate key;   wherein the first unique key of the second data entity is the first composite alternate key;   wherein the first unique index in the first database table is the first composite unique index in the first database table; and   wherein the first unique index in the second database table is the first composite unique index in the second database table.   
     
     
       19. The computing system of claim 16
 wherein the computer processor is programmed to add a first data model database to designate a first database to be database instantiated;   wherein the computer processor is programmed to add a second data model database to designate a second database to be database instantiated;   wherein the first data entity is contained within the first data model database and the second data entity is contained within the second data model database;   wherein the computer memory has instructions stored therein to database instantiate the first data model database as a first physical database within a database management system and the second data model database as a second physical database within a database management system; and   wherein the first physical database contains the first database table and the second physical database contains the second database table.   
     
     
       20. The computing system of claim 16
 wherein the computer processor is programmed to add a third data entity with the first unique key, which serves as a unique key in the third data entity;   wherein the first common entity relationship set also relates the first unique key of the third data entity with the first unique key of the first data entity and with the first unique key of the second data entity;   wherein the computer memory also includes instructions stored therein for programming the computer processor to:   database instantiate a third database table from the third data entity and the first unique index in the third database table from the first unique key in the third data entity;   populate the third database table with data records from the first single common set of master data records;   wherein the computer processor limits the data records permitted in the third database table, such that all data records permitted in the third database table must be in the first database table; and   wherein the computer processor is programmed to permit data records in the first database table which are not in the third database table.   
     
     
       21. The computing system of claim 20
 wherein the computer processor is programmed to add a first data model database to designate a first database to be database instantiated and a second data model database to designate a second database to be database instantiated and a third data model database to designate a third database to be database instantiated;   wherein the first data entity is contained within the first data model database and the second data entity is contained within the second data model database and the third data entity is contained within the third data model database; and   wherein the computer memory has instructions stored therein to database instantiate the first data model database as a first physical database within a database management system and the second data model database as a second physical database within a database management system and the third data model database as a third physical database within a database management system; and   wherein the first physical database contains the first database table database instantiated from the first data entity and the second physical database contains the second database table database instantiated from the second data entity and the third physical database contains the third database table database instantiated from the third data entity.   
     
     
       22. An apparatus comprising,
 one or more computer processors; and   one or more computer memories having stored therein:   a first data entity with a first unique key therein, wherein the first unique key in the first data entity is not a foreign key in the first data entity;   a second data entity with the first unique key therein, wherein the first unique key in the second data entity is not a foreign key in the second data entity;   a third data entity with the first unique key therein, wherein the first unique key in the third data entity is not a foreign key in the third data entity; and   wherein the one or more computer memories have instructions stored therein for programming the one or more computer processors to perform a method to create a common entity relationship set comprising:   forming a first common entity relationship set in the one or more computer memories that includes a first common entity relationship to the first unique key of the first data entity and includes a second common entity relationship to the first unique key of the second data entity and includes a third common entity relationship to the first unique key of the third data entity; and   wherein the first common entity relationship is a peer-to-peer type of relationship that relates common unique key attributes that are neither donated by the first data entity nor inherited by the first data entity;   wherein the second common entity relationship is a peer-to-peer type of relationship that relates common unique key attributes that are neither donated by the second data entity nor inherited by the second data entity; and   wherein the third common entity relationship is a peer-to-peer type of relationship that relates common unique key attributes that are neither donated by the third data entity nor inherited by the third data entity.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 22
 wherein the one or more computer memories have instructions stored therein to database instantiate one or more data model objects into database objects in the one or more computer memories.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 22
 wherein the first data entity resides in a first data model database in the one or more computer memories;   wherein the second data entity resides in a second data model database in the one or more computer memories; and   wherein the third data entity resides in a third data model database in the one or more computer memories.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24
 wherein the first data model database and the second data model database and the third data model database reside in a first data model in the one or more computer memories.   
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 22
 wherein the first unique key of the first data entity is a first alternate key;   wherein the first unique key of the second data entity is the first alternate key; and   wherein the first unique key of the third data entity is the first alternate key.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 22
 wherein the first unique key of the first data entity is a primary key of the first data entity;   wherein the first unique key of the second data entity is a primary key of the second data entity; and   wherein the first unique key of the third data entity is a primary key of the third data entity.