Method for generating a computer program and a computer program product

• US 20040177356A1
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Westendorf, Frank, Gaub, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/177
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management

Abstract

A method for generating a computer program and a computer program setup system are provided, wherein the computer program is divided into a plurality of packages in a modular manner, the packages representing in their entirety the complete computer program and being individually selectable by a user when installing the computer program on a computer system in order to create a customized computer program.

Claims

1. A method for generating a computer program, the method comprising:

dividing said computer program into a plurality of packages in a modular manner, said packages representing in their entirety a complete version of said computer program; and

enabling a user to individually select said packages when installing said computer program on a computer system in order to create a customized computer program.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of packages comprise at least one core package and at least one additional package.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of packages comprise one core package and at least one additional package.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of computer program packages are packed.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of packages represents a functional subunit of said computer program.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising sorting said packages hierarchically, with packages ranking higher in said hierarchy dominating packages ranking lower in said hierarchy.

15. A computer-readable medium with a computer program stored thereon, said computer program comprising program coding means for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 when said computer program is run on a computer.

7. A method of installing a computer program divided into a plurality of packages in a modular manner, said packages representing in their entirety a complete version of said computer program and being individually selectable by a user when installing said computer program on a computer system in order to create a customized computer program, said method comprising:

defining a profile of functions required to be performed by said computer program to be installed;

selecting a first package of said plurality of packages containing basic functions of said computer program to be installed;

on the basis of said first package, subsequently selecting a further package which provides computer program functions building up on a previously selected package while observing combination restrictions; and

repeating the latter step until the functions of said selected packages meet said previously defined profile of functions.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said first package selected is a core package of said computer program to be installed.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said further package selected is one of a variety of additional packages of said computer program to be installed.

10. A computer program setup system comprising a computer program divided into a plurality of packages in a modular manner, said packages representing in their entirety a complete version of said computer program, and further comprising interactive means for providing a user with setup information about said computer program packages and for allowing said user to select among said packages individually in order to create a customized computer program.

11. A computer program setup system according to claim 10, wherein said user can select from at least one core package and at least one additional package.

12. A computer program setup system according to claim 10, wherein said user first selects a core package and subsequently can select at least one additional package.

13. A computer program setup system according to claim 10, wherein said interactive means provides said user with information on possible combinations of packages.

14. A computer program setup system according to claim 12, wherein said interactive means provides said user with information on possible combinations of additional packages.

16. A computer-readable medium with a computer program stored thereon, said computer program being divided into a plurality of packages in a modular manner, said packages representing in their entirety a complete version of said computer program and comprising a setup routine allowing for individual selection of packages by a user when installing said computer program on a computer system in order to create a customized computer program.