Application generator for data transformation applications

• US 20070143327A1
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Rivas, Luis, Sharp, Alec, Kreider, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,921,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24526 Internal representations for queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database

Abstract

A utility is provided for generating applications for a variety of data conversion or handling application environments. A user can use a graphical user interface to purpose application adaptable modules to define a desired application. In one implementation, the user interface (1500) includes a node tree panel (1502) and a process assembly panel (1504). The node tree panel (1502) lists tool sets (1508) including transformations, maps and input-output tools. These tools can then be assembled together with identified data sources and then elements using the assembly panel (1504) to define an application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application.

Claims

1. A method for use in developing an application involving transformation of data between a first form and a second form, comprising the steps of:

providing a set of application adaptable conversion modules, wherein each said module includes rules for use in converting data objects relating to a defined subject matter area between said first form and said second form, and each said module is application adaptable in that said rules function independent of any purpose specific to a particular application beyond said conversion;

selecting a first module of said set of modules for a first application under consideration; and

first operating a machine-based tool for purposing said selected first module for use in said first application under consideration such that said first module is adapted to perform functionality related to a first identified purpose of said first application under consideration.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said application adaptable module includes rules for one of normalizing terminology, resolving transformation ambiguities and classifying terms relating to said defined subject matter.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subject matter area pertains to a defined business product area.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of selecting comprises identifying a subject matter area relevant to said first application.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of purposing comprises associating said first application adaptable module with a source of input information such that said first module operates to convert at least a portion of said input information between said first and second forms.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of purposing comprises associating said first module with a second module of said set of modules such that said first and second modules cooperate to perform functionality related to said first identified purpose.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first identified purpose involves one of matching an input to one or more items of information, publishing data or aggregating data.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of second operating said machine based tool for repurposing said first module for use in a second application, different than said first application, such that said first module is adapted to perform functionality related to a second identified purpose of said second application.

9. A method for use in developing applications for manipulating data, comprising the steps of:

identifying a subject matter area of interest in relation to a desired conversion involving converting data between a first form and a second form;

accessing a knowledge base for said subject matter area, wherein said knowledge base defines associations between data items of said first form and data items of said second form;

providing a user interface that allows a user to identify at least one desired function to be executed with respect to one of source data or target data; and

first operating a machine-based tool to use the knowledge base to generate logic for performing said desired function with respect to said subject matter area.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said step of accessing comprises selecting a set of rules for use in converting said data between said first form and said second form.

11. A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said knowledge base includes rules for one of normalizing terminology, resolving transformation ambiguities and classifying terms relating to said subject matter area of interest.

12. A method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the steps of using said user interface to select an application adaptable conversion module, where said module includes rules for use in converting data between said first form and said second form, said module being application adaptable in that said rules function independent of any purpose specific to a particular application beyond said conversion, and purposing said selected module for use in performing said desired function with respect to said subject matter area.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said step of using comprises associating said application adaptable module with a source of input information such that said first module operates to convert at least a portion of said input information between said first and second forms.

14. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said step of using comprises associating said module with a second module such that said first and second modules cooperate to perform steps related to said desired function.

15. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said desired function involves one of matching an input to one or more items of information, publishing data or aggregating data.

16. A method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the step of second operating said machine based tool for repurposing said module for use in performing a second desired function, different than said desired function.

17. An apparatus for use in developing an application involving transformation of data between a first form and second form, comprising:

storage for storing a set of application adaptable conversion modules, wherein each said module includes rules for converting data objects relating to a defined subject matter area between said first form and said second form, and each said module is application adaptable in that said rules function independent of any purpose specific to a particular application beyond said conversion;

user interface structure operative for receiving a selection identifying a first module of said set of modules for a first application under consideration; and

a processor, associated with said user interface structure, operative for purposing said selected first module for use in said first application under consideration such that said first module is adapted to perform functionality related to a first purpose of said first application under consideration.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said processor is operative for associating said first application adaptable module with a source of input information such that said first module operates to convert at least a portion of said input information between said first and second forms.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said processor is operative for associating said first module with a second module with a set of modules such that said first and second modules cooperate to perform functionality related to said first purpose.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said processor is operative for repurposing said first module for use in a second application, different said first application, such that said first module is adapted to perform functionality related to a second purpose of said second application.