Web Service Interface Generation from Form Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data-driven applications face challenges in seamlessly transitioning from local environments to web-based platforms, requiring manual modification and review to adapt metadata for web service interfaces, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a discovery subsystem to retrieve metadata descriptions from application servers, creating web service interfaces using Web Services Description Language (WSDL) to enable applications to be accessible over broader networks like the Internet, leveraging Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) for programmatic access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual modification and review is performed to adapt metadata for web service interfaces, then the application can be made available over the Internet, but the process becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically generating web service interfaces from existing metadata without requiring manual intervention. The metadata is processed through transformation rules that automatically create WSDL files and web service definitions, allowing the application to adapt to the web environment autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining transformation rules and templates for converting metadata to web service interfaces. These rules are established in advance and automatically applied when conversion is needed, eliminating the need for manual modification during the conversion process
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual modification is performed to convert local applications to web-based applications, then the application becomes accessible over broader networks, but the effort and time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates copies of the metadata structures and transforms them into web service interface definitions. Instead of manually rewriting each interface, the patent automatically generates WSDL files and service definitions by copying and transforming the existing metadata, dramatically reducing conversion time
Solution Approach 2:
Transformation templates and rules are prepared in advance, allowing the conversion process to proceed automatically without time-consuming manual intervention. The preliminary setup of conversion rules enables rapid deployment of web services from existing applications
3Reliability
If metadata is manually adapted for web service interfaces, then proper web service compliance is achieved, but the complexity and labor involved increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal transformation framework that handles multiple types of metadata and generates standardized web service interfaces. This universal approach ensures compliance with web service standards while simplifying the process, as the same transformation rules apply across different application types
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary transformation layer that automatically converts metadata to web service interfaces according to standardized rules. This intermediary process ensures proper compliance without requiring complex manual adaptation, as the transformation rules act as a mediator between the source metadata and target web service definitions
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of deriving web service interfaces from form and table metadata is disclosed. The method uses a discovery subsystem to discover services that are available on an application server, retrieves the metadata descriptions of the services on the application server and uses the services discovered and the metadata descriptions to create web services interfaces such that the service is available using web services description language.