Cross-Feature Toggle Framework for Multi-Component Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional feature toggles are inadequate for managing new features across multiple dependent components, leading to errors due to manual activation and synchronization issues, where only one component's feature can be switched on or off, causing runtime errors when other components are not ready.

Innovation Solution

A cross-feature toggle framework allows each component to independently manage its feature toggle status, enabling a new feature to be toggled on across all participating components, ensuring all components are ready before the feature is activated system-wide, preventing runtime errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional feature toggles are used in multiple dependent components, then each component can independently manage its feature toggle status, but runtime errors occur when components are not synchronized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent feature managementVSAvoidSystem consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cross-feature toggle mechanism that acts as an intermediary between multiple components. This mediator coordinates feature activation across components, ensuring that features are only activated when all dependent components are ready, thus preventing runtime errors while maintaining independent management capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where components report their readiness status to a centralized feature toggle manager. The manager continuously monitors component status and only enables features when all components confirm readiness, ensuring system consistency while allowing independent development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual activation of feature toggles is required in multiple components, then developers can control feature release, but the process becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveManual controlVSAvoidToggle management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual feature toggles across different components into a single cross-feature toggle. This unified toggle automatically coordinates activation across all components, reducing manual intervention complexity while maintaining controlled feature release capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-feature toggle system automatically manages feature activation across components without requiring manual intervention in each component. The system self-coordinates the activation process, reducing operational complexity while preserving developer control over feature release timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If features are developed in different systems/layers for multiple components, then parallel development is enabled, but synchronization delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveParallel developmentVSAvoidSynchronization waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary readiness checks where components declare their feature completion status in advance. The cross-feature toggle mechanism waits for all components to signal readiness before enabling the feature system-wide, allowing parallel development while minimizing synchronization delays through proactive status reporting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11487527B1Cross feature toggles

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 SAP SE

AI summary

According to some embodiments, a system and method are provided comprising two or more components; a cross-feature toggle module; a cross-feature toggle processor in communication with the cross-feature toggle module and operative to execute processor-executable process steps to cause the system to: receive a request to execute an application; determine a new feature element is present; determine a cross-feature toggle is present, wherein the feature toggle includes an active state and an inactive state; determine whether the cross-feature toggle is in an active state for each of a respective two or more components; in a case the cross-feature toggle is in the active state for each of the two or more components, execute the application with the new feature element; and in a case the cross-feature toggle is in the active state for less than all of the two or more components, execute the application without the new feature element. Numerous other aspects are provided.