Method and data processing system for specifying and applying rules to classification-based decision points in an application system

• US 6,341,369 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1998
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Degenaro, Louis Ralph, Rouvellou, Isabelle Marie Catherine, Rasmus, Kevin Paul, McKee, Barbara Jane Alspach, Ehnebuske, David Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US09/204,970
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 717/1, 706/47
• US Class Current: 717/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/04 Inference or reasoning models
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A method and apparatus for specifying, applying and managing rules used by an application in a data processing system are provided. A set of classification categories are specified, each classification category representing a different purpose of classification. A set of classifications are specified, each classification representing a possible outcome of an act of classifying. A set of control point names are specified, each name being associated with one or more control points in the application. A set of classification rules are specified, each such rule being associated with a classification category and said rule being adapted to analyze the state of the application and classify it by returning one or more classifications. A set of decision rules are specified, each such rule being associated with a classification and a control point name, said rule being adapted to affect the behavior of the application by calculating a value or making a decision. A set of control points is specified and built into the application at those points in the application flow at which variability of behavior controlled by rules is desired, each such control point being associated with a control point name and one or more classification categories. During the running of the application, when a control point as described above is encountered, the control point'"'"'s associated classification categories are used to select that set of classification rules associated with any of the classification categories and the selected classification rules are then run.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for specifying a control point in an application, the method comprising:

creating a control point in the application;

associating a classification category with the control point;

associating a plurality of classifier rules used to classify a state of the application with a category within a plurality of categories; and

associating a plurality of decision rules with the control point, wherein the plurality of decision rules are applied based on an assessment of the state of the application according to the category within the plurality of categories.

2. A method in a data processing system for using rules in an application, the method comprising:

classifying, by a control point within the application, a state of the application based on a classification category within a plurality of classification categories to form a classified state of the application; and

obtaining decision rules based on the classified state of the application in which the control point has been placed; and

using the obtained decision rules to process a decision for the application.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of classifying is performed using a set of classifier rules.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of classifying includes:

returning a classification identifier when a classification applies for a classifier rule within the set of classifier rules assigned to a classification category.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the classifier rules return nothing when the classification is inapplicable to the state of the application.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein at least zero classifications may apply to the state of the application.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least zero classifications may be ordered by priority.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a highest priority classification within the at least zero classifications may be chosen to affect a selection of decision rules.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein all applicable classifications may be combined to affect a selection of decision rules.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the each of the classifier rules is assigned to a category within the plurality of categories.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein a classifier rule within the set of classifier rules associated with a classification category generates a classification when the state of the application is compatible with a classification for which the classification rule inspects.

12. A method in a data processing system for using rules, wherein the data processing system includes an application having an application state, the method comprising:

classifying the application state according to a classification category;

obtaining classifier rules applying to the classification category; and

interpreting the classifier rules obtained to arrive at least one applicable classification of the application state.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

consolidating interpretation of the classifier rules into a decision about the application state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein steps of classifying, obtaining, interpreting, and consolidating occur in a control point in an application.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of classifications are applicable to the application state and further comprising:

assigning a priority to each classification within the plurality of classifications; and

selecting a classification within the plurality of classifications having a highest priority to represent a classification of the application state.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein a plurality of classifications are applicable to the application state and further comprising:

combining the plurality of classifications into a compound classification for the application state.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of classifying is performed using a set of classifier rules chosen based on the classification category.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the classification category is used to select at least one classifier rule from the set of classifier rules, wherein set of classifier rules are assigned to a classification category.

19. A method for using rules in an application having an application state in a data processing system, the method comprising:

classifying the application state of the application at a control point in the application, according to at least one classification category, using a first set of rules to generate a classification of the application state; and

computing a decision at the control point, using a second set of rules, which are selected based on the classification of the application state and a name of the control point.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

classifying the application state using a plurality of categories to form a compound classification at the control point;

identifying decision rules applicable to the compound classification; and

generating a decision using the decision rules identified as applicable to the compound classification.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the application is a business application and wherein the rules applicable to the plurality of categories are business rules.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the application is an object-oriented application.

23. A method in a data processing system for using a plurality of business rules in an object oriented application, the method comprising:

creating a control point within the object oriented application; and

classifying a state of the application of the object oriented application based on at least one classification category; and

selecting a business rule from the plurality of business rules based on the classification of the state of object oriented application and a name of the control point.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

executing the business rule to obtain a business decision.

25. An application for use in a data processing system, wherein the application has a state, the application comprising:

an object; and

a control point located within the object, wherein the control point is activated upon execution of the object to make a decision, wherein the control point classifies the state of the application into a classification using classifier rules, obtains decision making rules based on the classification of the situation, and computes a decision according to the decision making rules.

26. The application of claim 25, wherein the decision making rules also are obtained based on a name of the control point.

27. The application of claim 25, wherein the application is a business application.

28. The application of claim 25, wherein the classifier rules are grouped into categories for classifying the state of the application.

29. The application of claim 25, wherein the control point classifies the state of the application into a compound classification using the classifier rules associated with a plurality of categories, obtains decision making rules based on the compound classification, and generates a decision according to the decision making rules.

30. The application of claim 25, wherein the decision making rules obtained by the control point include at least one decision making rule.

31. A data processing system for using rules, wherein the data processing system includes an application having an application state, the data processing system comprising:

classifying means for classifying the application state according to a classification category;

obtaining means for obtaining classifier rules applying to the classification category; and

interpreting means for interpreting the classifier rules obtained to arrive at least one applicable classification of the application state.

32. The data processing system of claim 31 further comprising:

consolidating means for consolidating interpretation of the classifier rules into a decision about the state.

33. A data processing system for using rules in an application having an application state in a data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

classifying means for classifying the application state of the application at a control point in the application, according to at least one classification category, using a first set of rules to generate a classification of the application state; and

computing means for computing a decision at the control point, using a second set of rules, which are selected based on the classification of the application state and a name of the control point.

34. The data processing system of claim 33 further comprising:

classifying means for classifying the application state using a plurality of categories to form a compound classification at the control point;

identifying means for identifying rules applicable to the compound classification; and

generating means for generating a decision using the rules identified as applicable to the compound classification.

35. A data processing system for using a plurality of business rules in an object oriented application, the data processing system comprising:

creating means for creating a control point object within the object oriented application;

classifying means for classifying a state of the application of the object oriented application based on at least one classification category; and

selecting means for selecting a business rule from the plurality of business rules based on the classification of the state of object oriented application.

36. A computer program product in a data processing system for using rules, wherein the data processing system includes an application having an application state, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

first instructions for classifying the application state according to a classification category;

second instructions for obtaining classifier rules applying to the classification category; and

third instructions for interpreting the classifier rules obtained to arrive at least one applicable classification of the application state.

37. A computer program product for managing rules used by an application in a data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

first instructions for classifying the application state for the application at a control point in the application, according to at least one classification category, using a first set of rules to generate a classification of the application state; and

second instructions for computing a decision at the control point, using a second set of rules, which are chosen based on the classification of the application state wherein the instructions are embodied in the computer readable medium.

38. A computer program product in a data processing system for managing a plurality of business rules in an object oriented application, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

first instructions for creating a control point object within the object oriented application; and

second instructions for classifying a state of the object oriented application based on at least one classification category; and

third instructions for selecting a business rule from the plurality of business rules based on the classification of the state of the object oriented application wherein the instructions are embodied in the computer readable medium.