Computer software adaptation method and system

• US 7,992,128 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2006
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Hammerich, Reiner P., Chadzelek, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao; Thuy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chowdhury; Ziaul A.
• Application Number:
  US11/340,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20070240100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,013 Days
• Field of Search: 717/104, 717/106, 717/121, 717/168, 717/177, 706/11, 707/1
• US Class Current: 717/106
• 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 computer-implemented method for creating a computer software application, comprising:

structuring the application into an application layer and an adaptation layer;

defining a plurality of data elements used by the application;

establishing, by a processor, the application layer, based on the data elements, for processing the data elements;

creating, by the processor, the adaptation layer comprising adaptation data compatible with the application layer and a rendering control configured to render 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 rendering control of the adaptation layer independently from the application layer; and

upgrading the application layer without modifying the adaptation data, wherein the upgraded application layer is compatible with the unmodified adaptation data.

2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1,

wherein the adaptation data comprises personalized requirements,

wherein the adaptation layer receives the personalized requirements from a user and sets the adaptation data based on the personalized requirements while the application is running, and

wherein the adaptation layer further comprises at least one software tool for the user to provide the personalization requirements by manipulating the adaptation data.

3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 2, wherein the data elements comprise a plurality of user interface controls and the personalized requirements comprise changing number and sequence of the plurality user interface controls.

4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation layer:

receives user inputs, in different formats, corresponding to the data elements,

modifies the user inputs to be in a consistent format by using the adaptation data, and

provides the user inputs in the consistent format to the application layer.

5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 2, wherein the data elements comprise at least one user interface control.

6. The computer-implemented method according to claim 5, wherein the adaptation data comprises information for the rendering control to apply a default value for the user interface control.

7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 5, wherein the adaptation data comprises information for the rendering control to apply a visual characteristics of the user interface control.

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

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

storing the adaptation data in the adaptation layer;

executing the application layer to process the data elements;

executing, by a processor, the adaptation layer to perform the first presentation of the processed data elements based on the adaptation data;

receiving, by the processor, personalized requirements for the data elements and modifying the adaptation data, based on the personalized requirements, to define a second presentation of the data elements during execution of the application, wherein the adaptation layer performs the second presentation of the processed data elements; and

upgrading the application layer without modifying the adaptation layer, wherein the upgraded application layer is compatible with the unmodified adaptation layer.

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

maintaining the adaptation data.

10. The computer-implemented method according to claim 8, wherein:

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

the data elements comprise a user interface control; and

the tools comprise a user interface control editor and a context menu.

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

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

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

storing the adaptation data in the adaptation layer;

executing the application layer to process the data elements;

executing, by a processor, the adaptation layer to;

receive user inputs in a first format and corresponding to the data elements,

modify the user inputs to be in a consistent format determined by the first set of inputs, and

provide the user inputs in the consistent format to the application layer;

editing, by the processor, the adaptation data to define a second set of inputs corresponding to the data elements during execution of the application, wherein 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; and

upgrading the application layer without modifying the adaptation data, wherein the upgraded application layer is compatible with the unmodified adaptation data.

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

maintaining the adaptation data.

14. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, wherein:

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

the data elements comprise a user interface control; and

the tools comprise a user interface control editor and a context menu.

15. The computer-implemented method according to claim 14, wherein the tools comprise 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 an application layer and an adaptation layer;

define a plurality of data elements used by the application;

establish the application layer based on the data elements for processing the data elements;

create the adaptation layer comprising adaptation data compatible with the application layer and a rendering control configured to render 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 rendering control of the adaptation layer independently from the application layer; and

upgrade the application layer without modifying the adaptation data, wherein the upgraded application layer is compatible with the unmodified adaptation data.

17. The computer system according to claim 16,

wherein the adaptation data comprises personalization requirements,

wherein the adaptation layer receives the personalized requirements from a user and sets the adaptation data based on the personalized requirements while the application is running, and

wherein the adaptation layer further comprises at least one software tool for the user to provide the personalization requirements by manipulating the adaptation data.

18. The computer system according to claim 16, wherein the adaptation layer:

receives user inputs, in different formats, corresponding to the data elements,

modifies the user inputs to be in a consistent format by using the adaptation data, and

provides the user inputs in the consistent format to the application layer.

19. The computer system according to claim 16, wherein the data elements comprise a user interface control within the data elements.

20. A computer system having a hardware processor, comprising:

means for structuring the application into an application layer and an adaptation layer;

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

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

means for creating the adaptation layer comprising adaptation data compatible with the application layer and a rendering control configured to render 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 rendering control of the adaptation layer independently from the application layer, and

means for upgrading the application layer without modifying the adaptation data, wherein the upgraded application layer is compatible with the unmodified adaptation data,

wherein the adaptation layer;

receives user inputs, in different formats, corresponding to the data elements,

modifies the user inputs to be in a consistent format by using the adaptation data, and

provides the user inputs in the consistent format to the application layer.