Software Version Containers for Unified Production Landscape Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Software Configuration Management (SCM) tools struggle to effectively track and manage different versions of software applications throughout a complex software production landscape, particularly in environments with parallel development, leading to confusion and inefficiencies in identifying and distributing executable versions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of containers that represent uniquely addressable physical locations for both source and derivative versions, enabling unified management and tracking of software configurations across the production landscape, including development, testing, and runtime environments, through a unified model that abstracts over sources and derivatives, and provides a standardized solution for identifying and managing snapshots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional SCM tools are used to track source code versions, then source code version tracking is enabled, but tracking of executable versions and derivative versions throughout the production landscape becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified version identification system that works across multiple environments (development, testing, production) and multiple artifact types (source code, executables, derivatives). The version container and identification mechanism serve universal functions throughout the entire software production landscape, eliminating the need for separate tracking systems for different version types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary version identification mechanism that bridges the gap between source code management and executable/derviative version tracking. This intermediary system (containers with version identifiers) acts as a mediator that connects SCM tools with production landscape elements, enabling end-to-end version traceability.
2Productivity
If multiple developers work on portions of the same software product in parallel, then development productivity is improved, but tracking and distributing different executable versions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where version identifiers and container information are propagated throughout the production landscape, providing continuous feedback about which versions are where. This feedback loop enables parallel development teams to track and distribute their versions correctly without conflicts, as the system continuously monitors and reports version locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the software production landscape into distinct version containers and identification units. Each parallel development stream can be segmented and tracked independently through its own version identifiers, allowing multiple developers to work in parallel while maintaining clear version boundaries and distribution tracking.
3Ease of operation
If a unified model abstracting over sources and derivatives is introduced, then version tracking and distribution ability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating abstract version container representations that replicate the essential version identification information across different environments. Instead of managing complex relationships directly, the system copies version identifiers and container metadata throughout the production landscape, simplifying operations while maintaining version integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a source version of a software product may be established in connection with a software production landscape. A first container, representing a first uniquely addressable physical location in the software production landscape, may then be associated with the source version. An executable derivative version of the software product may be built from the source version, and a second container, representing a second uniquely addressable physical location in the software production landscape, may be associated with the executable derivative version. Software configuration information may then be automatically provided to a user based at least in part on a relationship between the first and second containers at a given point in time.