Data Manager Singleton for Configuration Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety-critical systems face risks of configuration data corruption or unintended changes due to maintaining configuration data outside of source code, particularly in concurrent systems where multiple applications or threads may have inconsistent views.
Innovation Solution
A data manager software component implementing the Singleton design pattern acts as an interface between an external configuration data store and applications, processes, and threads, ensuring configuration data integrity by restricting instantiation to a single object and encapsulating data access and retrieval within a private method, preventing external updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is maintained outside of source code, then flexibility and extensibility are improved, but the risk of data corruption and inconsistency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data manager as an intermediary component between the external configuration data store and the applications. This data manager encapsulates the configuration data and provides controlled access through its interface, preventing direct manipulation while maintaining flexibility. The data manager acts as a mediator that ensures data integrity by managing all access points centrally, thus resolving the contradiction between external storage flexibility and data protection reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is maintained outside of source code, then extensibility is improved, but the risk of unwanted changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data manager serves as a protective intermediary that shields the configuration data from direct access by external applications. By encapsulating the data and providing a controlled interface, it allows extensibility through configuration changes while preventing corruption risks. The intermediary structure enables safe modification of configuration data without exposing it to harmful direct manipulation.
3Productivity
If configuration data is accessible to multiple applications and threads, then system functionality is improved, but consistency of data view deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data manager acts as a central intermediary that all applications and threads must access through its interface. This centralized access point ensures that all concurrent processes view the same configuration data, maintaining consistency while allowing multiple applications to function simultaneously. The mediator pattern prevents inconsistent views by funneling all access through a single controlled interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The data manager provides a universal interface that serves multiple applications and threads simultaneously. By implementing a singleton pattern, it ensures that there is only one instance of the data manager that all components interact with, providing consistent data access across the entire system while maintaining the functionality needed by multiple concurrent processes.
4Ease of operation
If public methods are provided for updating configuration data, then ease of modification is improved, but data security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data manager provides a controlled interface that mediates all updates to configuration data. Rather than allowing direct public updates, it offers managed methods that enforce security protocols while still enabling modification when appropriate. This intermediary approach maintains data security by controlling the update process while preserving operational ease through a well-defined interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for maintaining configuration or other vital data outside of source code is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a data manager software component serves as an interface between an external configuration data store and one or more applications, processes, and threads. In contrast with techniques of the prior art, the illustrative embodiment does not suffer from the risk of undetected corruption of vital data, and therefore is especially advantageous in safety-critical systems.