Code List Extensibility via Vendor Prefix Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack the ability to seamlessly extend and manage code lists across internal and external representations, leading to challenges in customization and uniqueness of code values across different software vendors and systems, which can result in coincidental code value clashes.
Innovation Solution
The system provides a method for mapping internal and external code data type representations using unique identifiers, such as ABAP namespaces, and serialization/deserialization techniques to ensure uniqueness and compatibility, accommodating multi-tenancy configurations and supporting various software environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If code lists are extended to accommodate multiple vendors and systems, then adaptability and customization capability are improved, but the risk of code value clashes and loss of uniqueness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to code values by prefixing them with vendor-specific unique identifiers (such as ABAP namespaces). This transforms a one-dimensional code value into a two-dimensional structure where the first dimension identifies the vendor/source and the second dimension identifies the actual code value, thereby maintaining uniqueness across multiple vendors while preserving adaptability for customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs unique identifiers (vendor prefixes) as intermediary elements between different vendors' code lists. These intermediaries act as mediators that prevent direct conflicts between code values from different sources, allowing the system to handle extended code lists from multiple vendors without clashes while maintaining the ability to customize and adapt code lists as needed.
2Reliability
If unique identifiers are added to code values to prevent clashes, then code value uniqueness is improved, but the complexity of code data type representation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vendor identification and the code value into a single unified code value representation by concatenating the unique identifier prefix with the actual code value. This combining approach maintains reliability through uniqueness while avoiding the need for separate complex data structures, thus minimizing the increase in representation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The unique identifier prefix serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies the vendor, ensures code value uniqueness, and provides namespace management capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in code data type representation complexity while achieving the goal of code value uniqueness.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for providing code list extensibility includes providing a first code data type representation. The first code data type representation corresponding to a first code data type and having a first code value representation for at least one code value. The at least one code value associated with a corresponding code value issuing entity. The method may also include providing a second code data type representation. The second code data type representation corresponding to the first code data type and having a second code value representation for the at least one code value. The second code value representation including a unique identifier associated with the code value issuing entity. The method also may include mapping the first code data type representation and the second code data type representation based at least in part on the unique identifier associated with the code value issuing entity.