Polymorphic Structure for Client-Specific Data Extensions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional application platforms require recompilation when extending business object structures, affecting multiple clients and causing disruptions, as changes to one client's structure can impact others.

Innovation Solution

A polymorphic structure is defined with client specialization structures, allowing each client to have a unique extension without affecting others, using a framework that generates the parent structure with extensions at runtime, hiding other clients' specializations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If extension fields are added to business objects to support client-specific requirements, then adaptability is improved, but recompilation is triggered affecting other clients causing disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclient-specific structure extensionVSAvoidsystem stability for other clients

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the business object structure into a common parent structure and client-specific specialization structures. Each client's extensions are isolated in their own specialization structure, preventing changes to one client's extensions from triggering recompilation for other clients. The parent structure remains stable while allowing individual client specializations to be modified independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If recompilation is performed to add extension fields, then structure adaptability is improved, but productivity decreases due to program abortions and system disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebusiness object structure extensionVSAvoidsystem availability during extension

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic structure generation where the parent structure is generated with extensions at runtime based on client-specific specialization structures. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to client-specific requirements without requiring recompilation, as the structure is assembled dynamically from the stable parent structure and client-specific extensions during runtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a polymorphic structure with client specialization is implemented, then client-specific extensions are enabled without affecting others, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent client structure extensionVSAvoidpolymorphic structure framework

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polymorphic structure as an intermediary layer between the stable parent structure and client-specific specialization structures. This intermediary polymorphic structure manages the composition and visibility of client-specific extensions, allowing each client to have their own specialized view while maintaining a stable common foundation. The polymorphic structure acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of multiple client specializations without exposing it to the parent structure or other clients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9378468B2Generic boxed components for multi-client systems

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 SAP SE

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes defining a parent structure including an extension. A polymorphic structure is defined for the extension. The polymorphic structure is associated with a plurality of client specialization structures, each client specialization being associated with a client in a plurality of clients. During runtime by a computing device, the parent structure is generated with an extension to a client specialization structure associated with one of the plurality of clients where client specialization structures associated with other clients are not visible to the parent structure.