Active Modifiable Data Dictionary for Multi-Vendor Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data dictionaries are not suitable for multi-vendor client/server systems as they lack an efficient mechanism to support the wide range of data types required in these environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for an active and modifiable data dictionary that allows applications to obtain objects based on data types, copy them, and modify properties to create new objects, supporting a variety of data types and enabling efficient data management across different vendors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional data dictionary is used in a multi-vendor client/server system, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but it cannot efficiently support the wide range of data types required by different vendors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data dictionary into multiple vendor-specific data dictionaries, each tailored to support the data types required by a particular vendor. This allows each segment to be optimized for its specific vendor's requirements while the overall system maintains simplicity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data dictionary architecture that can accommodate multiple vendor-specific data dictionaries. This multi-functional structure enables the system to support a wide range of data types from different vendors while maintaining a unified access interface through the object broker.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single stack technology model is used, then the system implementation is straightforward, but it cannot accommodate multi-vendor environments with diverse data type requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an object broker as an intermediary component that sits between applications and the multiple vendor-specific data dictionaries. This mediator translates and manages data type requests across different vendor formats, enabling multi-vendor compatibility while keeping the overall architecture manageable through centralized coordination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data types are fixed at design time, then the data dictionary structure is stable and simple, but it cannot be adapted at runtime to meet changing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic data dictionary system where data types can be defined at design time and modified at runtime. The object broker manages these dynamic changes by allowing applications to register new data types and modify existing ones during execution, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining structural organization through the broker's coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
An application may obtain a data object based on a data type from a data dictionary. The obtained data object may be copied and modified. The modifications may include, for example, adding, removing, and/or changing a property, built-in type, simple type, and/or complex type of the data object.