Parse Graph to And/Or Command Tree Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face difficulties in extracting and programmatically understanding Command Line Interface (CLI) syntax definitions from parse graphs, which are hard-coded and limited in metadata extraction, making it challenging to transform these definitions into useful forms for applications like CLI parsing and documentation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that extracts CLI syntax definitions from parse graphs and transforms them into XML-tagged representations, allowing for the creation of programmatic interfaces, AND/OR command trees, and command data models, facilitating easier validation, documentation, and management of CLI syntax.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If CLI syntax definitions are hard-coded in files with limited metadata extraction, then the system maintains simplicity and reliability, but the ability to extract and transform syntax information into useful forms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transformation process that converts hard-coded CLI syntax definitions into structured data models. This intermediary layer enables external systems to access and utilize syntax information without modifying the core hard-coded definitions, thus preserving system simplicity while improving information extractability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection and extraction of CLI syntax information with automated transformation mechanisms. These mechanisms systematically convert hard-coded syntax definitions into structured formats, eliminating the need for manual information extraction and enabling programmatic access to syntax metadata.
2Ease of operation
If the parse graph structure is used directly for CLI validation, then the system maintains reliability, but the ease of operation for creating parsers and documentation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary transformation of CLI syntax definitions into structured data models before they are needed for parser creation or documentation generation. This advance preparation makes subsequent operations easier, as external systems can directly consume the pre-processed structured information without performing complex extraction operations at runtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates structured copies of the CLI syntax information from the hard-coded definitions. These copies maintain the essential syntax structure while presenting it in a more accessible format, enabling easier manipulation for parser generation and documentation without affecting the original definitions.
3Loss of information
If limited metadata is extracted at runtime, then the system maintains speed and efficiency, but the quantity and quality of usable syntax information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and structures comprehensive metadata during the transformation phase before runtime operations. This preliminary extraction ensures that all necessary syntax information is prepared in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming extraction operations during runtime and enabling complete metadata availability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for transforming a complex representation of computer code into a simplified representation of computer code are described. Parse nodes in a parse graph are traversed. Selected information contained within the parse nodes is hidden to create condensed parse nodes. The hiding prevents further processing of the selected information. Selected complex patterns in the parse graph are simplified to create simplified parse graph patterns. Branches on an AND/OR command tree are created from the parse nodes, the condensed parse nodes, and the simplified parse graph patterns.