Data Mapping Advice Needed

[Me]

I need to build a tool to map data from various database schemas into a
system I have built. I need to be able to allow the clients of my software
to use a tool to map data in their database with the data columns that my
software works with. In other words, I have some software but am not sure
what type of database system and data format the users of my software will
have, so I need a tool that allows them to map their existing structure to
what my program excepts and back again. It is not really a BizTalk
application becuase we never exchange data. I just need my software to work
with as of now unknow database systems and formats.

The solution I provide need to be generic enough to work with data from SQL
Sever, Oracle, MySQL, Access, XML files, etc. In other words I am not sure
what the clients of my system will have as a data store, I just know that I
need a way to map their data into my C#, .NET, SQL Server based system.
This is a function I need to have my clients configure themselves so they
can interface with my software.

I have no idea how to approach this. Any thoughts, samples, white papers,
hyperlinks or suggestions on open source software would be greatly
appreciated! Thank you.

[Girish Bharadwaj]

Me wrote:

I need to build a tool to map data from various database schemas into a
system I have built. I need to be able to allow the clients of my software
to use a tool to map data in their database with the data columns that my
software works with. In other words, I have some software but am not sure
what type of database system and data format the users of my software will
have, so I need a tool that allows them to map their existing structure to
what my program excepts and back again. It is not really a BizTalk
application becuase we never exchange data. I just need my software to work
with as of now unknow database systems and formats.

The solution I provide need to be generic enough to work with data from SQL
Sever, Oracle, MySQL, Access, XML files, etc. In other words I am not sure
what the clients of my system will have as a data store, I just know that I
need a way to map their data into my C#, .NET, SQL Server based system.
This is a function I need to have my clients configure themselves so they
can interface with my software.

I have no idea how to approach this. Any thoughts, samples, white papers,
hyperlinks or suggestions on open source software would be greatly
appreciated! Thank you.

To start off, you might want to take a look at "Bridge" + "Factory" +
"Facade" patterns. They will give you an idea on where to start. I think
in general, you will need to implement facades the different type
systems you are expecting the data to come in from. Actually, I think
you might be better off if you can limit the data set to be something
supported by a standard (either via ODBC standard protocol/ OLEDB).
BTW: I think you should probably take a peek at DTS services from SQL
server and see if that can help you move these end user data to a
constant definition upon which your application can depend.

--
Girish Bharadwaj