Permission-Controlled Application Metadata Merge Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual coordination of metadata changes across base and extension applications in a development platform is challenging and inefficient, particularly in secure and automated updates.
Innovation Solution
A metadata-based application development platform that includes a base application data store with extension points, an extension application server that caches metadata as a read-only file, and automatically generates a merge map file to merge changes in accordance with defined permissions, ensuring secure and efficient updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual coordination of metadata changes is used, then flexibility and control over changes are maintained, but the process becomes challenging and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The extension application server automatically retrieves base application metadata, generates merge maps, and applies changes without requiring manual coordination between base and extension developers. The system self-manages the metadata merging process, eliminating the need for human intervention in coordinating continuous updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic validation of extension changes against defined permissions and continuous subscription to base application updates. This feedback mechanism ensures that changes are automatically validated and applied, maintaining synchronization between base and extension applications without manual coordination.
2Productivity
If automatic metadata merging is implemented, then update efficiency is improved, but security and permission validation become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The system defines permissions and extension points in advance within the base application metadata before any changes occur. This preliminary configuration establishes the security framework that automatically validates all subsequent extension changes, ensuring that automated merging never violates defined permissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension application server acts as an intermediary between extension developers and the base application. It automatically retrieves metadata, generates merge maps, validates changes against permissions, and applies updates. This intermediary role ensures secure permission validation while maintaining automated efficient updates.
3Reliability
If extension points with defined permissions are used, then secure and controlled updates are achieved, but the metadata structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata structure is segmented into extension points with defined permissions, allowing specific portions of the metadata to be independently controlled and extended. This segmentation enables secure permission-based updates while keeping the overall structure manageable by dividing it into discrete, controllable units.
Data Source
AI summary
A base application data store may contain a base application source metadata file with at least one extension point that defines a permission associated with the extension point in connection with a base application. An extension application server, coupled to the base application data store, retrieves the base application source metadata file and caches the base application source metadata file as a read only file. The extension application server then generates a merge map file with an extension change to the base application metadata file. The base application source metadata file and the merge map file may be, for example, merged in accordance with the defined permission to create a result metadata file for the base application. In some embodiments, the extension application server subscribes to application updates for the base application, and the extension change is reported and validated in accordance with the permission associated with extension point.