Query Builder Framework for Scalable Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The software integration process is complicated due to the need for users to manually traverse metadata files and construct queries in service-specific languages, which is not scalable with the increasing number of services, and often requires technical knowledge that typical users do not possess.
Innovation Solution
A query builder framework with a user interface that guides users through constructing service-specific queries by identifying data sources, entities, and attributes, using custom adapters to generate queries in a specified format, thereby simplifying the process and ensuring query validity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually traverse metadata files and type queries using service-specific query languages, then queries can be constructed for specific services, but the process becomes complicated and not scalable with the increasing number of services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a query builder framework as an intermediary layer between users and service-specific query languages. This framework provides a unified, user-friendly interface that automatically translates user selections into service-specific query formats through custom adapters, eliminating the need for users to manually traverse metadata files and type service-specific queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The query builder framework provides a universal interface that works across multiple different services. Users interact with a single consistent interface regardless of which service they are querying, and the system automatically adapts to the specific service requirements through custom adapters, making the system scalable without increasing user complexity.
2Ease of operation
If users manually traverse metadata files and type queries using service-specific query languages, then queries can be constructed for specific services, but technical knowledge is required that typical users do not possess
Solution Approach 1:
The query builder framework enables self-service query construction where users can build queries through intuitive selections without requiring technical knowledge. The system automatically handles the complex tasks of metadata traversal, query language translation, and format generation, allowing typical users to construct queries independently without technical expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework acts as an intermediary that hides the technical complexity of service-specific query languages from users. Instead of requiring users to learn and type service-specific syntax, the framework translates user-friendly selections into the appropriate service-specific query formats automatically.
3Reliability
If a query builder framework with custom adapters is used, then query construction is simplified and errors are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The custom adapters are pre-configured with the specific query format requirements for each service during system setup. This preliminary configuration ensures that when users build queries through the framework, the system automatically translates them into valid service-specific formats, preventing errors before they occur rather than requiring complex runtime validation.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for constructing a query associated with different data sources. In one example, a method includes identifying a particular data source associated with at least one entity. Obtain a set of data source information defining each entities and a set of metadata associated with the particular data source. Then, provide at least a portion of the defined entities for selection associated with the query builder framework for presentation. In response to identifying a selection of a particular entity, the query builder UI provides for presentation a set of attributes associated with the particular selected entity for selection. In response to identifying a selection of a subset of the presented set of attributes, construct a query based on the particular selected entity and the selected subset of the presented set of attributes in a specified query format associated with the custom adapter associated with the particular data source.