Metadata Builder for Mainframe XML Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of mainframe computer programs, with hundreds of thousands of lines of XML metadata, makes it difficult and time-consuming to design error-free and complete metadata using traditional XML editors.
Innovation Solution
A MetaData Builder (MDB) that performs semantic and syntactic validation of metadata objects against a metadata schema, ensuring required relationships and rules are met, and provides a user-friendly interface for building complete and error-free metadata.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional XML editors are used to design metadata, then the metadata can be created with basic editing capabilities, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming due to the complexity of hundreds of thousands of lines of XML metadata
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation system that mediates between the user and the complex XML metadata. This validation system automatically checks metadata against schemas, identifies errors, and guides corrections, reducing the burden of manually managing complex metadata without removing the underlying complexity of the metadata itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system validates metadata inputs in real-time or near-real-time, providing users with error messages, warnings, and guidance on how to correct issues. This feedback loop enables users to create valid metadata more efficiently by immediately knowing what needs to be fixed rather than discovering errors later
2Reliability
If comprehensive validation is performed on metadata objects, then the quality and accuracy of metadata improve, but the validation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the validation process into distinct components: syntactic validation (checking XML structure), semantic validation (checking meaning and relationships), and schema validation (checking conformity to metadata schemas). Each validation type operates independently with its own rules and error handling, making the overall complex validation process more manageable and maintainable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary validation checks during the metadata creation process itself, rather than only after complete metadata is submitted. By validating elements as they are created or modified, the system prevents error accumulation and reduces the complexity of validating large bodies of metadata all at once
3Manufacturing precision
If semantic validation is performed to confirm required relationships and business objects, then the completeness and correctness of metadata improve, but the validation time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial validation strategies where not all metadata elements require full semantic validation. Optional elements, elements with default values, or elements that are clearly valid by context may receive reduced validation scrutiny. This allows the system to achieve sufficient correctness without the exhaustive time cost of validating every single element to the maximum degree
Data Source
AI summary
Metadata is validated against a metadata schema by semantically validating metadata objects in metadata for a computer program, to confirm that required relationships among the metadata objects are present and conform to predefined rules. The metadata objects in the metadata for the computer program are also syntactically validated against a metadata schema for the metadata. Related methods, systems and computer programs are described.