Drag-and-drop data binding in workflow applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional data binding techniques are cumbersome and difficult for programmers to implement, especially for beginner developers, and hinder rapid application development.

Innovation Solution

A software facility provides a graphical framework with drag-and-drop data binding functionality, allowing users to associate data from resources like databases and XML with software components without writing code, generating necessary script or code automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional data binding techniques are used, then data access functionality is provided, but implementation complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of data binding implementationVSAvoidcomplexity of data binding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual code writing and configuration with an automated system. The data binding mechanism automatically generates necessary code and configures relationships between data sources and UI components without requiring programmers to manually implement binding logic, thereby reducing implementation complexity while maintaining data access functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting data sources, generating binding code, and configuring data relationships without human intervention. The data binding mechanism autonomously handles the complex tasks of code generation and component configuration, eliminating the need for programmers to manually perform these operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If traditional data binding techniques are used, then data access is enabled, but development time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication development speedVSAvoidtime required for data binding implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring data binding templates, frameworks, and code generators before the development process begins. The system prepares binding mechanisms, data source connections, and UI component relationships in advance, allowing developers to simply select and instantiate pre-built binding configurations rather than creating everything from scratch, thereby significantly reducing implementation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated code generation system replaces the time-consuming manual process of writing and configuring binding code. By using computer-generated code instead of manual programming, the system eliminates hours or days of development time while maintaining full data binding functionality, thereby accelerating application development speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If manual data binding code is written, then data binding functionality is achieved, but programming skill requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of data binding implementationVSAvoidcomplexity of binding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of an automated code generator and binding mechanism. This intermediary translates high-level user actions (selecting data sources and UI components) into the complex binding code that would otherwise need to be written manually. The intermediary handles the complexity of code generation and configuration, allowing users to interact with simplified interfaces while the system manages the underlying complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system substitutes manual programming with automated code generation mechanisms. Instead of requiring programmers to write binding code, the system uses computer-based generation to create all necessary binding logic, data source connections, and UI configurations automatically, thereby eliminating programming skill requirements while maintaining full data binding functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9329838B2User-friendly data binding, such as drag-and-drop data binding in a workflow application

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 OPEN TEXT SA ULC

AI summary

A software facility allows for easy binding of a data component to a feature of a software component. Prior to the binding, a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component are displayed. In addition, an indication of an element of the data component is displayed in a display area approximately adjacent to the displayed software component. The software facility receives a user input command to bind the data component to the feature of the software component. The user input command may include dragging the indication of an element of the data component from the data component display area to the feature of the software component and subsequently dropping it on the feature. As a result, the software facility automatically generates script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component.