Computer software adaptation method and system

• US 20070240100A1
• Filed: 01/27/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Hammerich, Reiner, Chadzelek, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A method is provided for creating and/or utilizing a computer software application. The method may include structuring the application into a first software layer and a second software layer and defining a plurality of data elements used by the application. The method may also include establishing the first software layer based on the data elements for processing the data elements and creating the second software layer including adaptation data to present the plurality of data elements modified by the adaptation data associated with the data elements. Further, the adaptation data may enable plural presentations of the data elements by the second software layer independently from the first software layer.

Claims

1. A method for creating a computer software application, comprising:

structuring the application into a first software layer and a second software layer;

defining a plurality of data elements used by the application;

establishing the first software layer based on the data elements for processing the data elements; and

creating the second software layer including adaptation data to present the plurality of data elements modified by the adaptation data associated with the data elements, wherein the adaptation data enables plural presentations of the data elements by the second software layer independently from the first software layer.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including:

including at least one software tool to manipulate adaptation data in the second software layer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second software layer provides the first software layer, in a consistent format, user inputs in different formats corresponding to the plurality of data elements by modifying the user inputs using the adaptation data.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data elements include at least one user interface (UI) control.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the plural presentations include at least applying default value for the UI control.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the plural presentations include at least changing visual characteristics of the UI control.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data elements include a plurality of UI controls and the plural presentations include at least changing number and sequence of the plurality UI controls.

8. A method for adapting a software application having an application layer and an adaptation layer, comprising:

generating adaptation data to define a first presentation of a plurality of data elements shared by the application layer and the adaptation layer;

executing the application layer to process the data elements;

executing the adaptation layer to perform the first presentation of the processed data elements based on the adaptation data; and

modifying the adaptation data to define a second presentation of the data elements during execution of the application such that the adaptation layer performs the second presentation of the processed data elements.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

maintaining the adaptation data; and

upgrading the application layer without modification to the adaptation data.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein:

the adaptation data is generated using tools provided by the adaptation layer;

the plurality of data elements include at least a user interface control; and

the tools include at least a user interface control editor and a context menu.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the tools include at least means for dragging and dropping a user interface control.

12. A method for adapting a software application having an application layer and an adaptation layer, comprising:

generating adaptation data to define a first set of inputs corresponding to a plurality of data elements shared by the application layer and the adaptation layer;

executing the application layer to process the data elements;

executing the adaptation layer to provide user inputs, in a first format and corresponding to the data elements, to the application layer in a consistent format determined by modifying the user inputs by the first set of inputs; and

editing the adaptation data to define a second set of inputs corresponding to the data elements during execution of the application such that the adaptation layer provides the user inputs, in a second format and corresponding to the data elements, to the application layer in the consistent format determined by modifying the user inputs by the second set of inputs.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

maintaining the adaptation data; and

upgrading the application layer to change processing of the plurality of data elements without modification to the adaptation data.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein:

the adaptation data is generated using tools provided by the adaptation layer;

the plurality of data elements include at least a user interface control; and

the tools include at least a user interface control editor and context menu.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the tools include at least means for dragging and dropping a user interface control.

16. A computer system comprising:

a database configured to store information of a computer software application; and

a processor configured to;

structure the application into a first software layer and a second software layer;

define a plurality of data elements used by the application;

establish the first software layer based on the data elements for processing the data elements; and

create the second software layer including adaptation data to present the data elements modified by the adaptation data associated with the data elements, wherein the adaptation data enables plural presentations of the data elements by the second software layer independently from the first software layer.

17. The computer system according to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to include at least one software tool to manipulate adaptation data in the second software layer.

18. The computer system according to claim 16, wherein the second software layer provides the first software layer, in a consistent format, user inputs in different formats corresponding to the plurality of data elements by modifying the user inputs using the adaptation data.

19. The computer system according to claim 16, further comprising:

a console configured to contain at least one user interface (UI) control within the data elements.

20. A computer system comprising:

means for structuring the application into a first software layer and a second software layer;

means for defining a plurality of data elements used by the application;

means for establishing the first software layer based on the plurality of data elements for processing the data elements;

means for creating the second software layer including adaptation data to present the data elements modified by the adaptation data associated with the data elements, wherein the adaptation data enables plural presentations of the data elements by the second software layer independently from the first software layer; and

means for providing the first software layer, through the second software layer and in a consistent format, user inputs in different formats corresponding to the plurality of data elements by modifying the user inputs using the adaptation data.