Natural Language Converter Tool for Rapid Software Prototyping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-programmer business customers face challenges in creating software mini-applications to capture data for their day-to-day activities due to the need for external software consultants, resulting in inefficiencies, delays, and additional costs, as existing methods fail to accurately capture user requirements and business logic.
Innovation Solution
A text-to-application converter tool that allows users to input requirements in plain language, using a UI with database access, and employs a parser to convert inputs into XML documents, which are then processed to create dynamic web-based applications, enabling users to initiate validations, data retrieval, and storage without programming skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If non-programmer users directly create software applications, then development time and cost are reduced, but the complexity of the tool required to enable this increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a converter tool as an intermediary between natural language requirements and software application code. This mediator automatically translates user-friendly plain language inputs into structured software components, eliminating the need for users to learn programming while maintaining rapid development capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables non-programmer users to independently create software applications without external consultants. The converter tool provides self-service functionality by automatically parsing natural language requirements, generating XML documents, and creating executable software components through automated processes.
2Measurement precision
If software consultants are involved to capture requirements accurately, then requirement understanding improves, but the development process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The converter tool enables users to independently and accurately capture their own requirements through plain language input. The automated parsing and XML generation processes eliminate the need for consultant interpretation, allowing users to directly express their needs without intermediary human analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of human consultant analysis and requirement decoding with an automated computational system. The converter tool uses algorithmic parsing and pattern recognition to accurately interpret natural language requirements, substituting human cognitive processes with automated text processing.
3Reliability
If professional software developers are used to build applications, then application quality improves, but additional overhead for maintenance and development costs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system empowers end-users to become their own software developers through the converter tool. Users can independently create, modify, and maintain their own applications without external professional help, eliminating ongoing maintenance overhead and development costs while retaining the ability to produce quality software tailored to their specific needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of developing a software prototype for and by a non-programmer user enters user-inputs into a UI in natural language including documentation requirements and user's business logic. The UI has access to a database, and optionally to text files, spreadsheets, data in xml format and user's business logic information. A parser tool is used for automatically parsing user-inputs into easily processed software components and for automatically converting said inputs into an XML (Extensible Mark up Language) document. The XML document is converted into a XSLT document to form data base tables, and, the user selectively initiates validation, data retrieval and information storage. The user-input may be partially a voice input, assisted by a voice-to-text converter. The inputs may use the help of an AI robot. A user without any programming knowledge can create a software application which may be in real time, without any intermediary professional software help.