Process for creating middleware adapters

• US 20050010893A1
• Filed: 07/11/2003
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Best Buy Enterprise Services Incorporated (Best Buy Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Best Buy Enterprise Services Incorporated (Best Buy Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Schmidt, John G.E., Sorenson, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US10/618,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20050010893A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 Software maintenance or management

Abstract

In general, the disclosure is directed to a method of creating a middleware adapter in a factory. In one aspect, the method includes designing, developing and testing the adapter. The middleware adapter is designed with a designer and a quality controller to produce a design. Designing the middleware adapter includes reference to a knowledge base. The design is developed a developer and the quality controller to produce a requested adapter. The requested adapter is tested with a tester and the quality controller to produce a completed middleware adapter. In another aspect, the method includes analyzing a request for an adapter, designing the adapter, and developing the design. Analyzing the request includes determining whether the request is for a new adapter or for modifications to an existing adapter. Designing the adapter includes designing with a designer and a quality controller to produce a design, where the designing includes reference to a knowledge base. Developing the design includes developing with a developer and the quality controller to produce a requested adapter, where the developing includes coding the design, unit testing the requested adapter, and updating the knowledge base. Also, this aspect includes integration testing the requested adapter and system testing the requested adapter. In still another aspect, the disclosure is directed to factory for producing middleware adapters. The factory includes an assembly line for creating new middleware adapters and an assembly line for modifying existing adapters. Each assembly line includes designers, developers and testers working along the assembly line where each assembly line includes quality controllers working along with the designers, developers, and testers.

Claims

1. A method of creating a middleware adapter in a factory, the method comprising:

designing the middleware adapter with a designer and a quality controller to produce a design, wherein the designing includes reference to a knowledge base;

developing the design with a developer and the quality controller to produce a requested adapter;

testing the requested adapter with a tester and the quality controller to produce a completed middleware adapter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the designing a middleware adapter is one of designing a new middleware adapter and modifying an existing middleware adapter.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the middleware adapter is included in an adapter environment, and the factory is remotely located from but operably coupled to the middleware environment.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the testing is performed at the factory and at the adapter environment.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the knowledge base includes a repository and a plurality of input tools.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the knowledge base includes an input/output tool.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the input/output tool is a design specification tool.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the input tools include an engagement tool, a requirements tool, and a technical specifications tool.

9. A method of creating a middleware adapter in a factory, the method comprising:

analyzing a request for an adapter, wherein analyzing the request includes determining whether the request is for a new adapter or for modifications to an existing adapter;

designing the adapter with a designer and a quality controller to produce a design, wherein the designing includes reference to a knowledge base;

developing the design with a developer and the quality controller to produce a requested adapter, wherein the developing includes coding the design, unit testing the requested adapter, and updating the knowledge base;

integration testing the requested adapter; and

system testing the requested adapter.

10. A factory for producing middleware adapters, the factory including:

an assembly line for creating new middleware adapters; and

an assembly line for modifying existing adapters;

wherein each assembly line includes designers, developers and testers working along the assembly line, and wherein each assembly line includes quality controllers working along with the designers, developers, and testers.

11. The factory of claim 10 wherein the assembly line workers can be located in different parts of the world.

12. The factory of claim 11 wherein the assembly process is performed at a different factory location.