Runtime Configuration via Design-Time Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern enterprise software applications face challenges in configuration management due to hardcoded configurations, leading to non-uniform implementations and limited interoperability across applications, especially for complex functions that span multiple systems.
Innovation Solution
A centralized configuration service that uses configuration artifacts to dynamically configure runtime behavior, allowing users to select and combine pre-defined elements to create configuration models, which can be deployed across multiple applications, enabling unified configuration and functionality management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If configuration is hard coded during development, then the application functionality is fixed and stable, but the configuration cannot be easily modified and is isolated within a single application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration from application code by introducing separate configuration files and artifacts. Configuration is divided into hierarchical levels (system, application, module) and separated into design-time artifacts and runtime parameters, allowing independent modification without affecting the core application code.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration artifacts and configuration services as intermediaries between the application code and the actual configuration data. These artifacts serve as a bridge that allows configuration to be externalized, standardized, and shared across multiple applications while maintaining application-specific customization.
2Device complexity
If configuration is hard coded during development, then the implementation is simple within a single application, but interoperability between applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal configuration artifacts that can be used across multiple applications. Configuration schemas, templates, and packages are designed to be application-agnostic, allowing the same configuration artifacts to serve multiple purposes and enable interoperability between different applications while maintaining individual application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables configuration to be modified through parameter changes in external configuration files rather than code changes. This allows runtime configuration adjustments, easy updates, and standardized parameter interfaces that can be shared across applications, improving interoperability without increasing implementation complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If configuration is isolated within a single application, then the application is self-contained, but adding or modifying functionality across applications is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration structure where configuration artifacts are organized in hierarchical layers (system-level configurations containing application-level configurations containing module-level configurations). This nested structure allows applications to maintain self-containment while inheriting and sharing configurations from parent levels, enabling efficient cross-application functionality modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration actions at design time by creating configuration artifacts, schemas, and templates before runtime. This preliminary structuring of configuration data allows applications to be self-contained during execution while enabling rapid functionality additions and modifications through pre-prepared configuration packages and artifacts.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different IDEs and programming languages are used, then developers have flexibility in tool selection, but configuration implementation becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enforces homogeneity in configuration implementation by introducing standardized configuration schemas, validation rules, and artifact structures that must be followed regardless of the IDE or programming language used. This standardization layer ensures uniform configuration implementation across diverse development environments while preserving developer flexibility in tool selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Functionality configuration for applications is provided by a configuration service. An application may register with a configuration service for functionality configuration. A configuration model may be created for the application and deployed to the application for use in configuring the functionality and behavior of the application. The configuration model may be stored by the configuration service and maintained at the configuration service. The configuration model may be provided to multiple additional applications, or customized and provided to additional applications. Use of a single or related configuration models may standardize functionality and maintenance across related applications.