Preparation of a software configuration using an XML type programming language

• US 7,263,699 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2002
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Latil, Laurent, Jacquemot, Christian, Abrossimov, Vadim
• Primary Examiner(s): Dam; Tuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAO, THUY CHAN
• Application Number:
  US10/171,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20040003388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,902 Days
• Field of Search: 717/137, 717/174, 717/140, 717/110, 717/120, 717/175, 717/114
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management

Abstract

Configuring software for a target comprises preparing a command file which specifies a subset of components selected from a group of components, and parameters for tuning at least some of the selected subset of components. The command file is written using a single programming language, capable of managing tree structures of objects, preferably an XML type language, having a Document Type Definition enabling it to work as a programming language. An image file is prepared from the command file, to be loaded on the target.

Claims

1. A method of configuring software for a target, comprising:

generating a command file, wherein said generating comprises;

determining one or more commands which specify;

a subset of components selected from a group of components of an operating system for the target; and

one or more parameters for tuning one or more of the selected components in said subset; and

writing said commands in the command file in a single programming language, capable of managing tree structures of objects;

wherein the single programming language is specified using an XML document type definition specifying at least one nestable element predefined to receive an attribute indicating a separate file specifying one or more of the selected components; and

generating an image file according to the command file, wherein the image file comprises loadable software for the target.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said XML document type definition specifies:

a predefined element configured to form a condition, and

one or more other elements configured to receive a condition as an attribute, for conditionally processing the other elements.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said XML document type definition specifies:

a predefined element configured to form a constraint, and

one or more other elements configured to receive a constraint as an attribute, for conditionally accepting values of the other elements.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said XML document type definition specifies a predefined element configured to launch an application with a parameter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said XML document type definition specifies predefined feature and tunable elements for adapting the configuration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the command file and image file are prepared on a host system separate from the target.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

loading the image file in the target.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said loading further comprises loading the subset of components on the target.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the image file includes at least an operating system kernel and an operational file system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the image file defines parameters, actions, and memory layout of the software.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating an image file comprises:

generating a make file from said command file, and

building said image file using said make file.

12. A system for configuring software for a target, comprising a host, wherein the host comprises:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises program instructions executable by the processor to implement;

a group of one or more components of an operating system for the target;

generating a command file wherein the command file specifies;

a subset of components selected from the group of components;

parameters for turning at least some of the selected subset of components;

information regarding loading of the subset of components on the target;

wherein the command file specifies the subset of components, the parameters and the information regarding loading using a single programming language, capable of managing tree structures of objects;

wherein the single programming language is specified using an XML document type definition specifying at least one nestable element predefined to receive an attribute indicating a separate file specifying one or more of the selected components; and

generating an image file according to the command file.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said XML document type definition specifies:

a predefined element configured to form a condition, and

one or more other elements configured to receive a condition as an attribute, for conditionally processing the other elements.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said XML document type definition specifies:

a predefined element configured to form a constraint, and

one or more other elements configured to receive a constraint as an attribute, for conditionally accepting values of the other elements.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said XML document type definition specifies a predefined element configured to launch an application with a parameter.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein said XML document type definition specifies:

predefined feature and tunable elements for adapting the configuration.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

load the image file and the selected subset of components on the target.

18. A tangible, computer readable medium, comprising program instructions computer executable to implement:

generating a command file, wherein in said generating comprises;

determining one or more commands that specify;

a subset of components selected from a group of components of an operating system for the target; and

one or more parameters for tuning at least some of the selected components in said subset; and

writing said commands in the command file in a single programming language, capable of managing tree structures of objects;

wherein the single programming language is specified using a XML document type definition specifying at least one nestable element predefined to receive an attribute indicating a separate file specifying one or more of the selected components; and

generating an image file according to the command file, wherein the image file comprises loadable software for the target.

19. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the XML document type definition specifies:

a predefined element configured to form a condition; and

one or more other elements configured to receive a condition as an attribute, for conditionally processing the other elements.

20. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the XML document type definition specifies:

a predefined element configured to form a constraint; and

one or more other elements configured to receive a constraint as an attribute, for conditionally accepting values of the other elements.

21. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the XML document type definition specifies a predefined element configured to launch an application with a parameter.

22. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein said XML document type definition specifies predefined feature and tunable elements for adapting the configuration.

23. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the command file and the image file are prepared on a host system separate from the target.

24. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement loading the image file on the target.

25. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein in said loading the program instructions are further executable to implement loading the subset of components on the target.

26. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein in said generating an image file the program instructions are further executable to implement:

generating a make file from the command file; and

building the image file using the make file.