Methods and systems for providing a business repository

• US 8,712,990 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2010
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Ziegler, Carsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Boccio, Vincent F
• Application Number:
  US12/726,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20110087689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 707/999.107, 707/705, 707/706, 707/707, 707/758, 707/760, 707/769, 709/224
• US Class Current: 707/707
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed for providing a business rule repository in a memory. An exemplary method includes displaying, on a display device, a graphical user interface (GUI) for creating a business rule, and receiving, in a computer, via the GUI user input relating to an input variable of the business rule, and user input relating to an action required by the business rule based on the input variable. The method further includes generating, by the computer, a text document associated with the business rule based on the input, and storing the text document associated with the business rule in the business rule repository.

Claims

1. A method for providing a business rule repository in a memory, comprising:

displaying, on a display device, a graphical user interface (GUI) for creating a business rule;

receiving, in a computer, via the GUI;

user input relating to an input variable of the business rule; and

user input relating to an action required by the business rule based on the input variable;

generating program logic for the business rule, based on the input, the program logic comprising groups of text characters forming non-human-language words;

generating, by the computer, a text string representation of the business rule based on the program logic,

such that the non-human-lanquage words are replaced with human-language words in the text string representation; and

storing the text string representation in association with the program logic for the business rule, in the business rule repository, such that the business rule may be identified via a search based on the text string representation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the GUI comprises a decision table interface for creating the business rule, the decision table interface including a first column associated with the input variable of the business rule and a second column associated with the action required by the business rule.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the input comprises:

receiving a selection of a data object corresponding to the input variable of the business rule to assign to the first column; and

receiving a selection of a data object corresponding to the action required by the business rule to assign to the second column.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the input further comprises:

receiving input of a value for the input variable of the business rule to a cell of the first column; and

receiving input of a value for the action required by the business rule to a cell of the second column.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the text string representation contains at least one of:

a name of the data object assigned to the first column;

the value for the input variable of the business rule;

a name of the data object assigned to the second column; and

the value for the action required by the business rule.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the text string representation further contains at least one of:

a first column identifier associating the first column with the name of the data object assigned to the first column;

a second column identifier associating the second column with the name of the data object assigned to the second column;

a first row identifier associating the value for the input variable of the business rule with the cell of the first column; and

a second row identifier associating the value for the action required by the business rule with the cell of the second column.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the business rule repository contains text string representations of a plurality of business rules, and the method further comprises:

receiving a keyword-based search request;

searching the text string representations of the plurality of business rules based on the search request; and

outputting results of the search.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the text string representation contains at least one of a name of the business rule, a name of a data object associated with the business rule, and a type of the business rule.

9. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for providing a business rule repository in a memory, the method comprising:

displaying, on a display device, a graphical user interface (GUI) for creating a business rule;

receiving, via the GUI;

user input relating to an input variable of the business rule; and

user input relating to an action required by the business rule based on the input variable;

generating program logic for the business rule, based on the input, the program logic comprising groups of text characters forming non-human-language words;

generating a text string representation of the business rule based on the program logic,

such that the non-human-language words are replaced with human-language words in the text string representation; and

storing the text string representation in association with the program logic for the business rule, in the business rule repository, such that the business rule may be identified via a search based on the text string representation.

10. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the GUI comprises a decision table interface for creating the business rule, the decision table interface including a first column associated with the input variable of the business rule and a second column associated with the action required by the business rule.

11. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein receiving the input comprises:

receiving a selection of a data object corresponding to the input variable of the business rule to assign to the first column; and

receiving a selection of a data object corresponding to the action required by the business rule to assign to the second column.

12. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein receiving the input further comprises:

receiving input of a value for the input variable of the business rule to a cell of the first column; and

receiving input of a value for the action required by the business rule to a cell of the second column.

13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the text string representation contains at least one of:

a name of the data object assigned to the first column;

the value for the input variable of the business rule;

a name of the data object assigned to the second column; and

the value for the action required by the business rule.

14. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the text string representation further contains at least one of:

a first column identifier associating the first column with the name of the data object assigned to the first column;

a second column identifier associating the second column with the name of the data object assigned to the second column;

a first row identifier associating the value for the input variable of the business rule with the cell of the first column; and

a second row identifier associating the value for the action required by the business rule with the cell of the second column.

15. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the business rule repository contains text string representations of a plurality of business rules, and the method further comprises:

receiving a keyword-based search request;

searching the text string representations of the plurality of business rules based on the search request; and

outputting results of the search,

16. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the text string representation contains at least one of a name of the business rule, a name of a data object associated with the business rule, and a type of the business rule.

17. A computer system for providing a business rule repository, the system comprising:

a display device;

a memory storing a program logic repository;

a user input device for receiving input from a user; and

a processor configured to;

display, via the display device, a graphical user interlace (GUI) for creating a business rule;

receive, via the input device;

user input to the GUI relating to an input variable of the business rule; and

user input relating to an action required by the business rule based on the input variable;

generate program logic for the business rule, based on the input, the program logic comprising groups of text characters forming non-human-language words;

generate a text string representation of the business rule based on the program logic,

such that the non-human-language words are replaced with human-language words in the text string representation; and

store the text string representation in association with the program logic for the business rule, in the business rule repository, such that the business rule may be identified via a search based on the text string representation.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the GUI comprises a decision table interface for creating the business rule, the decision table interface including a first column associated with the input variable of the business rule and a second column associated with the action required by the business rule.

19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein the input comprises:

a selection of a data object corresponding to the input variable of the business rule to assign to the first column;

a selection of a data object corresponding to the action required by the business rule to assign to the second column;

an input of a value for the input variable of the business rule to a cell of the first column; and

an input of a value for the action required by the business rule to a cell of the second column.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the text string representation contains at least one of:

a name of the data object assigned to the first column;

the value for the input variable of the business rule;

a name of the data object assigned to the second column;

the value for the action required by the business rule;

a first column identifier associating the first column with the name of the data object assigned to the first column;

a second column identifier associating the second column with the name of the data object assigned to the second column;

a first row identifier associating the value for the input variable of the business rule with the cell of the first column; and

a second row identifier associating the value for the action required by the business rule with the cell of the second column.

21. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the text string representation contains at least one of a name of the business rule, a data object associated with the business rule, and a type of the business rule.