Web Service Data Transformation Script Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous data environments, organizations face challenges in seamlessly extracting, refining, and distributing data across disparate platforms and formats, requiring complex programming and support for various data sources and formats.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for data transformation that utilizes web services to generate and execute scripts for transforming data between different formats, including XML and database formats, reducing programming complexity and enabling flexible data manipulation across diverse sources and targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional data extraction and transformation methods are used in heterogeneous environments, then data can be manipulated across disparate platforms, but programming complexity increases and requires support for multiple data sources and formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of web service wrappers that mediate between the data extraction/transformation logic and the underlying heterogeneous data sources. These wrappers encapsulate platform-specific protocols and APIs, allowing the core transformation logic to remain platform-agnostic while supporting multiple data sources including AS/400, DB2, and flat files without increasing programming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal data extraction and transformation framework that can operate across multiple platforms and data formats through a common architecture. The web service interface provides a standardized method for accessing diverse data sources, eliminating the need for separate programming approaches for each platform while maintaining broad adaptability
2Manufacturing precision
If XML programming and database-specific APIs are required for data transformation, then precise data manipulation is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs lightweight, parameter-based configuration objects that define data transformation rules without requiring complex programming. Users can specify extraction and transformation parameters through simple configuration files or web service calls, eliminating the need for lengthy XML programming sessions or memorization of database-specific APIs while maintaining precise control over data manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service capabilities through automated script generation that creates the necessary data transformation logic based on user-specified parameters. The web service interface automatically handles the complexity of interacting with underlying data sources, allowing users to perform precise data transformations without manually writing XML code or learning platform-specific API protocols
3Ease of operation
If web services are used for data transformation, then ease of operation improves and programming complexity is reduced, but device complexity increases due to web service infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the web service infrastructure with the existing data extraction and transformation engine into a unified system. Rather than adding a separate complex web service layer, the implementation integrates web service capabilities directly into the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process, allowing the same core engine to handle both traditional and web service-based data transformations without duplicating functionality or significantly increasing infrastructure complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transforming data includes receiving information defining a transformation of a source file to a target file, wherein the information identifies a web service and generating, based on the received information, a script operable when executed to implement the defined transformation. The script is then stored. The method further includes receiving a request to perform the transformation on a first file and initiating execution of the script. Additionally, as part of executing the script, the method includes transmitting a service request to the web service that includes input data obtained from the first file. Also as part of executing the script, the method includes receiving a service response from the web service, wherein the service response includes output data and writing the output data to a second file.