Software Component Recycling via Remote Server Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional software architectures are inflexible and require frequent updates, leading to system downtime and software obesity due to the inability to adapt to unpredictable changes and efficiently manage software components based on usage levels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically recording usage data of software components and applying expiration policies to retire unused components, with the option to re-institute them when usage criteria are met, utilizing a remote server for continued access and metadata storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software components are continuously updated and added to adapt to changing requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and software obesity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically removes unused software components from the local environment based on usage data and expiration policies, then provides remote access to these removed components. This allows the local system to maintain only actively used components while preserving access to the full software suite through remote servers, thereby reducing local complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions software component storage from a single local dimension to a distributed model with local and remote dimensions. Frequently used components remain locally installed for immediate access, while less frequently used components are moved to remote servers but remain accessible when needed, effectively adding a spatial dimension to component management.
2Device complexity
If software components are removed to reduce system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may worsen due to potential loss of needed functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary remote server layer between the user and the removed software components. When a removed component is needed, the system automatically retrieves it from the remote server, ensuring that functionality is preserved while maintaining local system simplicity. This intermediary mechanism guarantees that no needed functionality is permanently lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors usage data of software components and dynamically adjusts local component retention based on actual usage patterns. If a removed component is accessed frequently, the system can automatically re-instate it locally, ensuring that reliability requirements are met while optimizing for complexity reduction.
3Productivity
If usage data is continuously monitored and components are dynamically managed, then productivity is improved through reduced downtime, but device complexity increases due to monitoring and management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated self-service mechanisms where software components are automatically monitored, evaluated against expiration policies, removed when appropriate, and re-instated when needed without manual intervention. This automation reduces the operational complexity of managing software updates and component lifecycle while improving system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures expiration policies and usage criteria before component removal, and pre-establishes remote access mechanisms before components are actually removed. This preliminary preparation ensures that component management operations can be executed automatically and efficiently without complex real-time decision-making, thereby improving productivity while controlling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product, system and method for maintaining and recycling software components is disclosed. A first set of usage data for one or more software components is recorded. At least one of the plurality of software components is automatically removed if the first set of usage data for the at least one software component meets usage criteria specified in an expiration policy. Access is then provided to the removed software component through a remote server. A second set of usage data is now recorded for the removed software component. The removed software component is automatically re-instated if the second set of usage data meets usage criteria specified in a re-instatement policy.