Automated interface-specification generation for enterprise architectures

• US 20070061731A1
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Strombom, Douglas, Dillon, Eric, Buckley, Neil
• Granted Patent: US 8,347,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications

Abstract

In a computer-implemented method, a data set characterizing a first enterprise application is received. The data set is organized into a model. A set of standards is applied to the model, yielding a set of computer-executable instructions operable to enable implementation of an interface between the first enterprise application and a second enterprise application.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having a first set of computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

receiving a data set characterizing a first enterprise application;

organizing the data set into a model; and

applying a set of standards to the model, wherein application of the set of standards to the model yields a second set of computer-executable instructions operable to enable implementation of an interface between the first enterprise application and a second enterprise application.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a user interface, wherein the data set is received from a user via the user interface.

3. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising:

an interface module operable to communicate with a graphical user interface (GUI) application, the interface module further operable to enable the GUI application to receive a data set characterizing a first enterprise application and organize the data set into a model; and

an engine module operable to apply a set of standards to the model, wherein application of the set of standards to the model yields a set of computer-executable instructions operable to enable implementation of an interface between the first enterprise application and a second enterprise application.

4. A method of transferring a computer program product from at least one first computer to at least one second computer connected to the at least one first computer through a communication medium, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) accessing, on the at least one first computer, first computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a data processing system, perform at least the steps of;

(1) receiving a data set characterizing a first enterprise application;

(2) organizing the data set into a model;

(3) applying a set of standards to the model, wherein application of the set of standards to the model yields a second set of computer-executable instructions operable to enable implementation of an interface between the first enterprise application and a second enterprise application; and

(b) transferring the first computer-executable instructions from the at least one first computer to the at least one second computer through the communications medium.

5. A computer-readable medium having a first set of computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

characterizing information to be produced and consumed by respective integrated enterprise applications;

organizing the information characterization into a formal model of a service contract comprising artifact representations; and

applying a set of standards to the model, wherein application of the set of standards to the model yields a second set of computer-executable instructions operable to enable implementation of an interface between the producing enterprise application and the consuming enterprise application.

6. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising:

an interface module operable to communicate with a graphical user interface (GUI) application, the interface module further operable to enable the GUI application to receive a data set characterizing an interface between enterprise applications and organize the data set into a model of a service contract comprising abstract artifact representations of an interface standard; and

an engine module operable to apply a methodology and a set of guidelines associated with interface standards to the model, wherein application of the methodology and set of guidelines to the model yields a set of technology-specific, computer-executable instructions operable to enable implementation of an interface between a producing enterprise application and a consuming enterprise application.