Workflow Scripting System for Enterprise Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automating tasks in computing environments, such as workflows and scripting, have limitations that make them difficult to use for complex tasks, particularly in large-scale enterprise environments, where they lack reliability and scalability, and are not well-suited for handling errors or interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A workflow scripting system that automatically translates between workflow and scripting models, allowing script authors to create workflows using familiar scripting languages and enabling workflow authors to perform actions within a scripting environment, with features like parallel execution, error handling, and robustness to manage complex tasks efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workflows are used to automate tasks, then reliability and error handling improve, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring programming environment setup and programming skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a workflow scripting system that acts as an intermediary between traditional workflows and simple scripts. This system allows scripting language commands to be automatically translated into workflow definitions, enabling users to access workflow capabilities through a simpler scripting interface without directly dealing with workflow programming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow scripting system provides multi-functionality by enabling both script authors to create workflows using familiar scripting languages and workflow authors to use scripting steps to perform actions. This universal approach allows the same system to serve multiple purposes and user types
2Ease of operation
If scripting is used to automate tasks, then ease of operation improves, but reliability worsens due to lack of error detection and error handling
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow scripting system serves as an intermediary that translates simple scripting commands into robust workflow definitions with built-in error handling and reliability features. Users can write simple scripts while the system automatically adds workflow-level reliability mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically generating workflow definitions with error handling and reliability mechanisms before the script is executed. This allows error detection and handling capabilities to be built in advance without requiring the user to manually implement them
3Reliability
If traditional workflows are used, then reliability improves, but productivity worsens due to limited programmer resources becoming a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow scripting system enables self-service by allowing users to create workflows automatically through scripting commands without requiring specialized workflow programming expertise. This eliminates the bottleneck of limited programmer resources while maintaining workflow reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary that automatically translates simple scripting commands into complete workflow definitions, eliminating the need for manual workflow programming and accelerating automation development while preserving reliability features
Data Source
AI summary
A workflow scripting system is described herein that combines the features of workflows and scripts by automatically translating between the two models. Using the system, a script author can create workflows on the fly using familiar scripting language, and a workflow author can use scripting steps to perform actions. Workflows run in this manner can be setup to execute in their own process to improve robustness or efficiency. Operations in an enterprise environment frequently take a long time and are subject to interruptions. By adding reliability concepts of workflows to a shell environment, users of the system can write scripts to address common needs of large-scale computing environments. Thus, the workflow scripting system blends the available resources provided by workflow and scripting environments to provide a host of powerful, advanced capabilities to IT personnel.