Method for performing expression-based validation

• US 20070027847A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Weinberg, Paul, Endo, Rich, Lo, Wenphing, Poyourow, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24565 Triggers; Constraints

Abstract

A method for performing expression-based validation with records in a computer system database, eliminating the need to write programs or scripts. A validation expression can define complex intra-record tests and inter-record tests and may be performed manually against one or more records and have a success or failure indicated for each record in an interface. A validation expression may be placed into one or more groups and performed as a group with the success or failure indicated for each record. A validation expression may be initiated from workflows to implement a business process with system-enforced data integrity. A validation expression may be manually executed or automatically executed when attempting record update to prevent the entry of invalid data and ensure data integrity. A validation expression may also be used to search using the Boolean result of validation expressions.

Claims

1. A method for performing expression-based validation in a computer system comprising:

displaying a validation on a user interface of a computer system wherein said validation comprises a validation expression that returns a Boolean value;

obtaining a level of execution for said validation wherein said level of execution comprises a plurality of levels including warning and error;

executing said validation; and

,

returning said Boolean value resulting from said executing said validation.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using said validation as a search filter.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

limiting a drill-down search using said validation in conjunction with a hierarchal search tool.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

limiting a drill-down search using said validation in conjunction with a free form search tool.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a manual execution menu; and

,

obtaining said validation from said manual execution menu.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a warning when said executing said validation fails when said level of execution is warning level; and

,

updating at least one record.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying an error when said executing said validation fails when said level of execution is error level; and

,

forgoing the update of at least one record.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said executing said validation comprises executing said validation as part of a workflow.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying said Boolean value in association with at least one record on which said validation is executed.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said displaying further comprises displaying said Boolean value in a column associated with said at least one record on said user interface.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said executing said validation comprises setting a tooltip value for a validation result column associated with said at least one record on said user interface wherein said tooltip value shows a message that is associated with said validation.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

grouping at least one validation comprising said validation into a validation group; and

,

said executing said validation further comprising executing all validations in said validation group.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

forming a hierarchy comprising said at least one validation.

14. A method for performing expression-based validation in a computer system comprising:

displaying a validation on a user interface of a computer system wherein said validation comprises a validation expression that returns a Boolean value;

executing said validation;

returning said Boolean value resulting from said executing said validation; and

,

displaying said Boolean value in association with at least one record on which said validation is executed.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said displaying further comprises displaying said Boolean value in a column associated with said at least one record on said user interface.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said executing said validation comprises setting a tooltip value for a validation result column associated with said at least one record on said user interface wherein said tooltip value shows a message that is associated with said validation.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

using said validation as a search filter.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

limiting a drill-down search using said validation in conjunction with a hierarchal search tool.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

limiting a drill-down search using said validation in conjunction with a free form search tool.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

displaying a manual execution menu; and

,

obtaining said validation from said manual execution menu.

21. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

obtaining a level of execution for said validation wherein said level of execution comprises a plurality of levels including warning level and error level.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

displaying a warning when said executing said validation fails when said level of execution is said warning level; and

,

updating at least one record.

23. A method for performing expression-based validation in a computer system comprising:

displaying a validation on a user interface of a computer system wherein said validation comprises a validation expression that returns a Boolean value;

executing said validation;

returning said Boolean value resulting from said executing said validation; and

,

using said validation as a search filter.