Code Object Transformation for ERP System Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently upgrading customized software applications, particularly ERP systems like SAP, from a source installation to a target installation without requiring extensive manual rewriting of code objects, as custom code often becomes incompatible due to changes in naming conventions, features, or structural changes in the underlying system.
Innovation Solution
The system automatically identifies and transforms customized code objects by constructing a meta-model based on associations between code objects, applying transformation rules to ensure compatibility and functionality in the target installation, and simultaneously transforms reporting and view database schema to maintain functionality and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rewriting of code objects is performed during system upgrade, then compatibility with the new version is achieved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the source installation's code objects and automatically transforms them to be compatible with the target installation. The transformation system generates transformed code objects that replicate the functionality of source code objects while adapting to the new version's naming conventions, features, and structural changes, thereby avoiding manual rewriting.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformation system modifies parameters of code objects such as naming conventions, data types, and structural attributes to align with the target installation's requirements. By systematically changing these parameters, the system ensures compatibility without requiring manual rewriting of the entire codebase.
2Reliability
If manual rewriting of code objects is performed during system upgrade, then compatibility with the new version is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the source installation's code objects and automatically transforms them to be compatible with the target installation. The transformation system generates transformed code objects that replicate the functionality of source code objects while adapting to the new version's naming conventions, features, and structural changes, thereby avoiding manual rewriting.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformation system performs self-service by automatically analyzing source code objects, generating transformation rules, and producing transformed code objects without requiring manual intervention. This automation eliminates the need for expensive manual rewriting services while maintaining compatibility.
3Loss of time
If automated transformation of code objects is implemented, then time and cost are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation system is segmented into distinct functional modules: source installation analysis, transformation rule generation, code object transformation, and target installation validation. Each module handles a specific aspect of the transformation process, making the overall complex task manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a transformation system as an intermediary between the source installation and target installation. This intermediary component automatically handles the complexity of code object transformation by analyzing source objects, generating appropriate transformation rules, and producing compatible target objects, thereby shielding users from the underlying complexity.
4Reliability
If code objects are transformed automatically, then compatibility is maintained, but ensuring functionality and correctness becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation system incorporates feedback mechanisms that validate transformed code objects against the target installation's requirements. The system analyzes transformed objects to ensure they maintain expected functionality and correctness, providing feedback loops that verify transformation accuracy and allow for corrective actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of source code objects before transformation to understand their structure, functionality, and dependencies. This preliminary action enables the system to generate more accurate transformation rules and produces transformed objects that are more likely to be functionally correct, reducing the need for post-transformation validation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for identifying and grouping code objects into functional areas with boundaries crossed by entry points. An analysis agent may select a first functional area of a source installation of an application to be transformed to a target installation of the application from a plurality of functional areas of the source installation, each functional area comprising a plurality of associated code objects; and identify a first subset of the plurality of associated code objects of the first functional area having associations only to other code objects of the first functional area, and a second subset of the plurality of associated code objects of the first functional area having associations to code objects in additional functional areas, the second subset comprising entry points of the first functional area.