A system and method for storing hierarchical objects. The system stores a
list of hierarchies as a single object. The object includes all
information relating to a particular data element. The data element may be
a concept. The concept may include all related information such that if
one or more portions of the data element are requested by a user, the
entire data object including the requested portions is retrieved. A user
may navigate forward and backward through the hierarchy and search for
other information. The object is stored as a self-defining object such
that all information relating to the data element is stored within the
object.
