Object Version Tracking Across Lifecycle Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise software systems face challenges in tracking and comparing the content of objects across different project stages, necessitating a method to manage and apply changes effectively throughout the lifecycle of the system.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes an object repository, project stage module, origin matrix builder, archive version manager, usage logic module, and comparison module to track, compare, and apply the content of objects across project stages, utilizing origin matrices to maintain and retrieve versions for each lifecycle stage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If objects are copied and modified across multiple project stages, then the system can evolve through different lifecycle phases, but tracking and comparing object content across stages becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the version tracking system into distinct project stages (design, implementation, upgrade, maintenance) with separate object repositories for each stage. This segmentation allows independent management of objects at each stage while maintaining traceability through origin matrices that record the lineage of objects across stage boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces origin matrices as intermediary data structures that mediate between objects in different project stages. These matrices store mapping information that links objects across stages, enabling comparison and tracking without requiring direct access to all original objects. The comparison module uses these matrices as intermediaries to efficiently identify changes.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive version tracking is implemented across all project stages, then complete object history is preserved, but system complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies of version information in the form of origin matrices that reference original objects without duplicating their full content. When an object is copied between stages, the system stores metadata in origin matrices that points to the source object, maintaining a lightweight record that enables tracking without proportionally increasing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically creating and maintaining origin matrices at the time of object copying between stages. This preliminary tracking infrastructure is established proactively rather than retroactively, enabling efficient comparison operations later without requiring complex retrospective analysis of object histories.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual tracking of object versions is performed, then implementation is simpler, but time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the version tracking infrastructure maintains itself automatically. Origin matrices are automatically updated when objects are copied between stages, and the comparison module automatically identifies changes by querying these matrices. This eliminates manual tracking efforts while keeping the implementation approach relatively simple and straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes feedback loops where the comparison module continuously queries origin matrices to detect changes, and this information feeds back into the version management process. This automated feedback mechanism enables the system to self-monitor and self-report version differences without human intervention, significantly reducing time consumption compared to manual tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to maintain versions of an object for each lifecycle stage of the object are described. The system maintains versions and archives of objects in memory. The system includes an object repository to maintain new objects. The system has a lifecycle stage module to manage lifecycle stages, an origin matrix builder to build origin matrices, an archive version manager to manage archives. The system further retrieves usages of objects across lifecycle stages using a usage logic module and compares the content of objects from different stages using a comparison module.