Overlay Schema Derivation for Weakly-Typed Message Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visualizing and handling the structure of messages with weakly-typed fields is challenging due to their variable content, leading to incomplete visualization and the need for custom logic in business applications using XML messages across an Enterprise Service Bus.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for deriving overlay information from user input on a base message schema, allowing users to select and overlay schema information on variable portions, generating instructions for locating and associating selected schemas, and visualizing message structures to define mappings between fields, while propagating schema information through a message flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If XML Schema with weakly-typed fields (any, anyType, anySimpleType) is used to provide flexibility in message content, then adaptability is improved, but visualization completeness and message structure understanding deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The message schema is segmented into base schema elements and overlay schema elements. The base schema provides the common structure, while overlay schemas provide specific type information for weakly-typed fields. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both flexibility (through base schema) and information completeness (through overlay schemas)
Solution Approach 2:
Overlay schemas act as intermediaries between the base schema and the actual message content. They provide the missing type information for weakly-typed fields without restricting the flexibility of the base schema. The overlay schemas mediate between the general structure and specific content requirements
2Loss of information
If overlay schemas are introduced to complete message structure information, then visualization completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Overlay schemas are nested within the base schema structure, associating specific overlay schemas with specific weakly-typed fields. This nesting organizes the complexity in a hierarchical manner, where the base schema contains references to overlay schemas, which in turn contain specific type information. The nested structure allows complex information to be managed through simple references
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom logic is written to handle weakly-typed content, then message processing capability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically generating visualization information from overlay schemas. Instead of requiring custom logic to handle weakly-typed content, the overlay schemas automatically provide the necessary type information for visualization and processing, enabling the system to handle diverse message formats without custom programming
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program for deriving overlay information from a user input for a base message schema associated with a node in a message flow. The base message schema is presented to the user and has at least one variable portion. A user selection of a variable portion of the base schema is received. The user is then provided with possible overlay schema information for the selected variable portion. A user selection of the schema to be overlaid on the selected variable portion is received. The selected overlay schema is associated with the base schema.