Data Format Transformation via Standard Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transformation programs for software development are plagued by redundant code and the need for numerous duplicate programs to handle different data formats, leading to complexity and inefficiency as the number of formats grows, hindering the development process.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with input transformation 'readers' to convert data into a standard format and output transformation 'writers' to convert from that standard format to any desired output format, reducing the number of required programs from n*m to n+m, thereby eliminating redundant coding and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If direct transformation programs are created for each source-destination format combination, then all format transformations can be supported, but the number of programs increases dramatically to n*m permutations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standard format as an intermediary representation layer between source and destination formats. Instead of creating direct transformation programs for every source-destination pair, the system transforms all source formats to the standard format first, then from the standard format to any destination format. This mediator approach reduces the number of required transformation programs from n*m to n+m permutations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transformation programs are implemented to support different formats, then format versatility is achieved, but code redundancy and maintenance difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal standard format that can represent information from multiple source formats and can be transformed into multiple destination formats. This single standard format serves multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated transformation programs for each format pair and significantly reducing maintenance burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct transformation programs are created for each format pair, then complete format coverage is achieved, but the development process is hindered by maintenance burden
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the standard format as a mediator, the system achieves complete format coverage while dramatically reducing the number of transformation programs needed. This reduces the maintenance burden and allows developers to focus on application development rather than maintaining numerous transformation programs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for transforming information between data formats. According to one embodiment, a transformation engine receives an indication of an input data format and an output data format, identifies, based on the input data format, an input transformation program from a set of input transformation programs, each program in the set of input transformation programs configured to transform information arranged according to a distinct data format to a standard format, utilizes the identified input transformation program to transform an information source arranged according to the input data format to the standard format, identifies, based on the output data format, an output transformation program from a set of output transformation programs, each program in the set of output transformation programs configured to transform information arranged according to the standard format to a distinct data format, and utilizes the identified output transformation program to transform the information source arranged according to the standard format to the output data format.