Consolidated Task Launching in IDEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) lack the ability to flexibly compose and manage launch configurations for distributed applications, requiring manual and error-prone processes for launching multiple sub-applications and lacking hierarchical organization, which is essential for effective testing and debugging.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism to consolidate individual launch descriptions of tasks into a composite launch description by reading and parsing launch parameters, including relationships between tasks, to generate a single composite launch configuration that defines the launching of components in a hierarchical structure, enabling flexible and structured launching of multiple tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual launch operations are performed for each sub-application, then individual task launching capability is maintained, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual launch operations into a single aggregated launch configuration. The aggregated launcher reads multiple launch descriptions and composition parameters, then consolidates them into one composite launch description that manages multiple tasks simultaneously, eliminating the need for manual sequential launching of each sub-application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining launch configurations and their relationships before actual execution. Launch descriptions and composition parameters are prepared in advance, specifying task relationships, timing, and synchronization requirements, so that during testing and debugging, the system can automatically execute the pre-planned launch sequence without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IDEs support limited distributed launching, then Web application testing is enabled, but flexibility and hierarchical organization are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the launch configuration into two distinct components: individual launch descriptions for each task and composition parameters that define relationships between tasks. This segmentation allows flexible composition of launch configurations without increasing overall system complexity, as each segment can be independently configured and reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregated launcher provides universal functionality by reading and processing multiple types of launch descriptions and composition parameters to generate composite launch configurations. This multi-functional approach enables the same mechanism to handle various distributed application scenarios, including Web applications, without requiring separate specialized tools.
3Reliability
If no aggregated launcher is provided, then individual task control is maintained, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregated launcher acts as an intermediary between individual task definitions and the actual launch execution. It reads launch descriptions and composition parameters, processes the relationships between tasks, and generates the final composite launch description. This intermediary layer reduces errors by automatically managing task coordination, timing, and synchronization rather than relying on manual operations.
4Productivity
If hierarchical organization of launch configuration is not supported, then simple launch parameters are maintained, but structured organization and reusability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to launch configuration by organizing tasks into parent-child relationships with multiple levels of nesting. This hierarchical structure allows complex distributed applications to be represented in an organized manner, improving productivity by enabling structured organization and reuse of launch configurations across different testing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Consolidating the launching of multiple tasks is provided. A task is launched when an associated software component is run or executed. In one embodiment, launch descriptions of individual tasks and composition parameters are respectively read. The parameters indicate relationships between the launchings of different tasks, such as launch order. A composite launch description is constructed, by selectively processing the individual launch descriptions and composition parameters, and the tasks are launched according to the composite launch description. In a further embodiment, multiple individual launch descriptions are delivered to a tool, each launch description being usable to launch a corresponding component to perform a corresponding task. The tool includes a set of launch relationships that specify the relationship between launchings of different components. The tool generates a single composite launch description that defines launching of the components in accordance with the launch relationships.