A method and system for handling attributes in a document management system are
disclosed. A system and method in accordance with the present invention uses virtual
attributes for searching for attributes in child index classes for obtaining the
corresponding parent index class in the search result. Therefore, multiple mapping
of attributes via the class definitions can be performed, particularly during run-time
of the underlying document management system. Accordingly, the obtained attribute
hierarchy is hidden or transparent to a user of the system. In addition, a system
and method in accordance with the present invention enables dynamic extension of
attributes during run-time of the underlying document management system.
