Automated Software Scanning Tool for Source Code Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Updating and modifying software applications is labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need to manually review and update numerous source code files across multiple projects, leading to inefficiencies and potential user errors.

Innovation Solution

A software scanning tool that automates the process of searching for specific terms across multiple software repositories, generating detailed reports on the usage of these terms, and allowing for simultaneous modifications, thereby reducing the time and effort required for updates while minimizing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual review and update of source code files is performed, then software application updates can be completed, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update accuracyVSAvoidtime required for software updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated scanning tools that independently search, identify, and report software terms across multiple source code files without requiring manual reviewer intervention for each file, thereby reducing both time and labor intensity while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual review process with an automated computer-based scanning system that uses software algorithms to search and analyze source code files, substituting human labor with automated computational processes to eliminate time-consuming manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If manual tracking and annotation of source code files is performed, then updates can be monitored, but user errors increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracy of updated filesVSAvoidsoftware update efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the scanning tool generates structured reports that are automatically returned to users, providing real-time information about term usage across files without requiring manual tracking, thereby eliminating errors while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated reporting system as an intermediary between the scanning process and the user, where structured reports serve as a mediator that delivers accurate tracking information without requiring direct manual intervention, thus improving both accuracy and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10346159B2Systems and methods for software scanning tool

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and non-transitory machine readable medium are provided for creating a structured report that aggregates information related to a plurality of source code files based on selective scanning of one or more repositories. A repository search request is received including a repository identifier, a project identifier, and a search term. The specified repository is scanned to identify source code files for the specified project that include the search term. It is determined whether an instance of a search term within the source code file corresponds to a reserved term. A report is generated identifying the source code files that include an instance of the search term. A new file directory is created, and populated with a first results file including the generated report.