App Extension Grouping for Software Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of software applications are limited in customizing user interfaces and functionality, often requiring technical skills and permissions, and modifications must be implemented separately for each application, leading to duplicative code and increased developmental efforts.
Innovation Solution
Grouping of application extensions into semantic domains allows for easy sharing and application across multiple apps, automating the implementation of extensions and reducing the need for manual activation, thereby simplifying the customization process and reducing developmental time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extensions are applied separately to each app, then each app can be customized individually, but development time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple extensions that share common characteristics (such as the same filter logic applied to different data sources) are merged into a single extension group. This extension group can then be applied to multiple apps simultaneously, reducing redundant development work while maintaining the ability to customize each app individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension group is designed to be universal and can be applied to multiple different apps across different semantic domains. A single extension group definition serves multiple purposes and can be reused across various apps, significantly reducing development time while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to modify application features, then customization capability improves, but technical skill requirements and permission management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines which extension groups are appropriate for which apps based on semantic domain matching. The framework performs the complex matching and permission verification automatically, allowing users to simply select and apply extension groups without needing to understand the underlying complexity or manage permissions manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension group framework acts as an intermediary layer between users and the app modification process. Instead of users directly modifying apps (which would require technical skills and complex permission management), users interact with the simplified extension group interface, and the framework handles the complex operations in the background.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensions are manually implemented for each app, then precise control over each app's functionality is achieved, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Extensions are pre-grouped into extension groups that are carefully designed and configured in advance. The semantic domain classifications and extension associations are established beforehand, so when an app needs customization, the system can quickly match and apply the appropriate pre-prepared extension groups without manual configuration for each app.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually implementing extensions for each app, the system creates and applies copies of extension groups to multiple apps simultaneously. The extension group definition serves as a template that can be copied and applied across different apps, maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides techniques and solutions for enhancing or customizing the functionality of software applications, such as “apps.” More particularly, the present disclosure provides for grouping app extensions into groups, such as groups representing a particular semantic domain. A group of extensions can be applied to one or more apps. Applying extensions as a group can save development time and effort, as can the ability to apply a given extension group to multiple apps, either at the same time or over a particular time period. Further disclosed aspects assist users in implementing extensions with an extension group, such as assisting in determining where in a user interface particular extensions should appear. Once an extension group has been selected to be applied to an app, programmatic logic can cause the extensions to be automatically implemented in a computing artifact/object used by a particular extended app.