Web Server OS Identification Module for Cross-Platform Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modifying web applications for different operating system environments is costly and inefficient, as existing methods require multiple tests to determine the operating system and often necessitate rebuilding source code.

Innovation Solution

A web server executes an identify command to determine the operating system and provides the correct path to executables, allowing web applications to run on various systems without additional code modifications by using operating system independent function calls and executable modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If web applications include code to execute multiple tests to determine the operating system, then the web application can identify the operating system type, but the development cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating system identification accuracyVSAvoidweb application code complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (operating system identification module) that handles the complexity of OS detection internally. This module receives function calls from web applications and automatically determines the operating system type, shielding the web application from the complexity of multiple tests and OS-specific code while maintaining accurate identification capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the operating system identification logic from the web application itself and places it in a separate, dedicated module. This extraction removes the complex test-execution code from the web application, reducing its complexity while preserving the ability to accurately identify the operating system through the specialized identification module

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If web applications are modified for different operating system environments, then the web application can execute on various systems, but the development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating system compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal interface layer that handles multiple operating system environments. The operating system identification module provides a single, unified method for web applications to access OS-specific functionality across different platforms, eliminating the need to modify web application code for each OS while maintaining broad compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary module that mediates between the web application and various operating systems. This module handles all OS-specific adaptations internally, allowing the web application to remain unchanged while achieving execution on multiple operating system environments through the intermediary's translation and adaptation capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple tests are executed to determine the operating system, then the operating system type can be identified, but the execution time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating system identification accuracyVSAvoidexecution time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the operating system identification module maintain cached information about the current operating system environment. Once the OS type is identified through tests, the result is stored and reused for subsequent function calls, eliminating the need to re-execute multiple tests and significantly reducing execution time while maintaining identification accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the operating system identification module learns from previous identification results and adjusts its behavior accordingly. The module uses feedback from initial tests to optimize subsequent identification processes, reducing the number of tests needed over time while maintaining accurate OS type identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8776096B2Methods for operating system identification and web application execution
Publication Date: 2014.07.08 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US8776096B2 patent drawing
  • US8776096B2 patent drawing
  • US8776096B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods to execute operating system dependencies for web applications are provided. A particular method includes receiving an operating system independent function call at a web server. The operating system independent function call may be initiated at a web-based application. The method further includes determining a particular operating system used by the web server and selecting a command based on the particular operating system. The method further includes executing the selected command.