Configuration Branching for Automated Script Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current configuration systems require scripting skills, leading to a rigorous software development process that hampers business agility and are inefficient in implementing and testing resource configuration changes, especially when changes have different schedules and need to be implemented quickly.
Innovation Solution
A configuration implementation system that uses multiple branch versioning, allowing users to maintain and test configuration changes independently through a main configuration table and branch tables, with automated script generation to reduce errors and identify discrepancies, enabling simultaneous testing and deployment across various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual scripting is used for configuration changes, then implementation flexibility is achieved, but implementation time and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration management where the configuration tool automatically generates, manages, and executes migration scripts without requiring manual scripting by users. The tool autonomously handles the entire configuration migration process, eliminating the need for users to manually create scripts while maintaining implementation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scripting with an automated computer-based system. Instead of users manually writing and executing configuration migration scripts, the system automatically generates migration scripts based on configuration differences detected between source and target environments, substituting manual mechanical work with automated electronic processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple configuration versions are maintained simultaneously, then testing capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments configuration management into distinct versioned branches, allowing different configuration versions to be maintained and tested independently. Each configuration version is stored as a separate branch in the configuration management system, enabling parallel testing of multiple versions without interfering with each other while maintaining clear organizational structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a versioning dimension to configuration management, transforming flat configuration storage into a multi-dimensional structure with branches representing different versions. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous maintenance of multiple configuration versions while organizing them in a hierarchical structure that reduces perceived complexity through systematic arrangement.
3Reliability
If automated script generation is implemented, then error rate is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting configuration differences between source and target environments and generating migration scripts autonomously. The configuration management tool analyzes configuration files, identifies differences, and generates appropriate migration scripts without requiring user intervention in the script creation process, thereby reducing human error while the automation itself manages the system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual script creation with automated script generation mechanisms. The system automatically analyzes configuration differences and generates migration scripts through computer-based processing, substituting manual mechanical script writing with automated electronic generation, which reduces errors while concentrating system complexity within the automated tool rather than requiring user expertise.
4Productivity
If configuration changes are implemented quickly, then business agility is improved, but testing thoroughness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary action by allowing configuration changes to be tested in advance before actual deployment. Multiple configuration versions can be created and tested independently in advance, with test results stored and reviewed before implementation, ensuring thorough testing is completed prior to quick deployment while maintaining both speed and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating branch versions of configuration files that can be tested independently. Instead of modifying original production configurations directly, the system copies configurations into separate branches for testing, allowing thorough validation of test configurations without affecting production systems, thus enabling quick implementation of verified changes.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a configuration implementation system that allows users to maintain configurations for production resources (e.g., application, systems, or the like) in a main configuration table, and multiple versions of the configurations in branch configuration tables in order to deploy and test the branch configurations independently of each other based on implementation schedules. Moreover, the configurations in the configuration branches can be implemented in various releases for the production resource as necessary and merged into the other branches in order to maintain consistency with the production resource and to identify any discrepancies between the configuration branches. The invention also utilizes script patterns to create scripts to implement the configuration changes in the production resources in a uniform way regardless of the user that is creating, modifying, deploying, testing, and/or implementing the configurations through the various branches.