Workflow Gateway Program for Database Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to develop techniques to utilize workflow technologies across different computing platforms, enabling the invocation of workflow operations from a database program.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a program that can invoke a flow of operations, including receiving a definition file and mapping information to set and retrieve input parameters, and extract output values, allowing workflow operations to be invoked from a database program by processing these inputs and outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If workflow operations are invoked from a database program, then integration between workflow systems and database programs is improved, but the complexity of the system architecture increases
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway program is introduced as an intermediary component between the database program and the workflow system. The gateway receives calls from the database program, translates them into workflow invocation format, executes the workflow operations, and returns results to the database program. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling integration without requiring direct modification of the database program's internal structure, thus maintaining adaptability while managing architectural complexity through a dedicated interface layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the database program, the gateway program, and the workflow system. Each segment has well-defined interfaces and responsibilities. The gateway program is segmented into modules for receiving calls, translating parameters, executing workflows, and returning results. This segmentation allows the integration functionality to be isolated in a separate component, improving adaptability while keeping the overall architecture manageable through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If mapping information is processed to generate program statements, then the ease of operation is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping information that defines the relationship between database parameters and workflow parameters is processed and stored in advance during system setup or initialization. Once stored, the actual parameter mapping during workflow invocation can be performed much faster by retrieving pre-processed mapping data rather than processing it in real-time. This preliminary processing of mapping information resolves the contradiction by enabling easy parameter mapping while minimizing processing time during actual workflow execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method, system, and program for generating a program capable of invoking a flow of operations, wherein the program is capable of being initiated from an external call. A definition file defining a flow of operations and mapping information defining input parameters to the flow of operations are received. The received definition file and mapping information are processed to generate program statements within the program that when executed perform: setting input parameters to the flow of operations to values received from an external call to the program; invoking the flow of operations with the input parameters including values from the external call; and receiving output from the flow of operations and extracting at least one value from the received output to return to the external call.