Reusable UI Metadata Definitions for Low-Code Development
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited supply of professional user interface and application developers hinders the deployment of cloud applications, necessitating low-code and no-code development environments to empower users in creating applications with minimal coding.
Innovation Solution
Creating reusable user interface metadata definitions that can be overridden and bundled with other metadata definitions for deployment to devices, allowing users to develop user interfaces without extensive coding through a metadata-driven approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If professional developers are used to develop cloud applications, then application quality and functionality are improved, but development cost and time increase due to limited supply of developers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates reusable UI metadata definitions that can be copied and reused across multiple applications and platforms. These metadata definitions serve as templates that can be instantiated multiple times without requiring custom development for each use case, thereby increasing productivity while reducing the need for professional developers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal metadata-driven framework where a single UI metadata definition can be deployed across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web) and applications. This multi-functionality allows the same UI components to serve multiple purposes and platforms, reducing development complexity and resource requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom user interface components are developed for each application, then UI functionality and customization are improved, but development time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines reusable UI metadata definitions that contain common user interface patterns and components. These preliminary definitions are created in advance and can be directly applied to new applications, eliminating the need to develop UI components from scratch and significantly reducing development time while maintaining customization capability through overrides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the UI development process into reusable metadata definitions that can be independently created, managed, and combined. Each UI component is defined as a separate metadata definition that can be selectively applied and customized, allowing for efficient assembly of UIs without developing entire interfaces from scratch.
3Productivity
If reusable UI metadata definitions are created and deployed across multiple platforms, then development efficiency is improved, but platform-specific customization requirements may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic metadata system where UI metadata definitions can be overridden at the device or platform level. The system allows for dynamic adjustment of UI behavior based on the target platform, enabling the same base metadata definition to adapt to iOS, Android, or Web-specific requirements while maintaining cross-platform consistency where appropriate.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, there is provided a method including creating at least one reusable user interface metadata definition for at least one user interface object; storing the at least one reusable user interface metadata definition; creating at least a portion of a user interface page, which includes the at least one user interface object, using the at least one reusable user interface metadata definition; overriding the at least one reusable user interface metadata definition; bundling into a container the least one reusable user interface metadata definition with other metadata definitions; and deploying the container of the at least one reusable user interface metadata definition and the other metadata definitions to a device where a metadata interpreter can generate at least one user interface object associated with the at least one reusable metadata definition. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.