Schema-based application model validation in a database

• US 9,535,935 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2013
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP SE
• Inventors: Doms, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuddus, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/101,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20150161181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/213 with details for schema evolution support

Abstract

Technologies are provided for validating application models within a database environment. For example, an application model can be provided to a database environment and validated against a meta-schema and/or an application schema stored within the database environment. Successful validation can be required before the application model is allowed to run within the database environment (e.g., before the application model can be stored within the database environment).

Claims

1. A method, implemented by a computing device, for validating application models within a database environment, the method comprising:

receiving an application schema, wherein the application schema defines constraints for validating application models that are associated with the application schema;

storing the application schema within the database environment;

receiving an application model, wherein the application model defines operation of an application, and wherein the application model is associated with the application schema;

validating the application model, wherein the validating comprises performing validation of the application model against the application schema;

upon successful validation of the application model, storing the application model within the database environment, wherein validation is successful when the application model satisfies all constraints of the application schema, wherein a constraint is satisfied when the constraint is consistent with the application model; and

when the validation of the application model is unsuccessful, outputting a result of the validation that indicates the application model will not be stored within the database environment, wherein validation is unsuccessful when the application model fails at least one constraint of the application schema;

wherein the application schema remains available within the database environment, and cannot be removed from the database environment, while there are any application models stored within the database environment that are associated with the application schema and that were validated against the application schema, wherein the application schema remains available for review and evaluation within the database environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the application schema defines one or more application-specific constraints, and wherein the validating comprises determining whether the application model satisfies the one or more application-specific constraints defined by the application schema.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

outputting a result of the validation;

wherein the result of the validation comprises an indication of whether the application model satisfies the one or more application-specific constraints defined by the application schema.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein successful validation of the application model is required before the application model is transformed into a runtime model and executed within the database environment.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a meta-schema, wherein the meta-schema defines constraints for an application platform, wherein the application model is associated with the application platform, wherein the constraints of the application platform are specific to the application platform;

wherein validating the application model further comprises performing validation of the application model against the meta-schema.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the meta-schema defines one or more general constraints related to the application platform, and wherein the validating comprises determining whether the application model satisfies the one or more general constraints defined by the meta-schema.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a version of the application schema to which the application model is validated against; and

storing, in the database environment, the version of the application schema in association with the application model.

8. A database environment comprising:

one or more computer servers; and

one or more databases;

the database environment configured to perform operations for validating application models, the operations comprising;

receiving an application schema, wherein the application schema defines constraints for validating application models that are associated with the application schema;

storing the application schema within the database environment;

receiving an application model, wherein the application model defines operation of an application, and wherein the application model is associated with the application schema;

validating the application model, wherein the validating comprises performing validation of the application model against the application schema;

when the validating the application model is successful;

transforming the application model into a runtime model for execution within the database environment and storing the application model within the database environment; and

when the validating the application model is unsuccessful;

outputting a result of the validation that indicates the application model cannot be run within the database environment;

wherein validation is successful when the application model satisfies all constraints of the application schema, wherein a constraint is satisfied when the constraint is consistent with the application model, and wherein validation is unsuccessful when the application model fails at least one constraint of the application schema;

wherein the application model is stored within the database environment only when the application model has been successfully validated;

wherein the application schema remains available within the database environment, and cannot be removed from the database environment, while there are any application models stored within the database environment that are associated with the application schema and that were validated against the application schema.

9. The database environment of claim 8, the operations further comprising:

receiving a meta-schema, wherein the meta-schema defines constraints for an application platform, wherein the application model is associated with the application platform;

wherein validating the application model further comprises;

performing validation of the application model against the meta-schema.

10. The database environment of claim 9, wherein the meta-schema defines one or more general constraints related to the application platform, and wherein the validating comprises determining whether the application model satisfies the one or more general constraints defined by the meta-schema.

11. The database environment of claim 8, wherein the application schema defines one or more application-specific constraints, and wherein the validating comprises determining whether the application model satisfies the one or more application-specific constraints defined by the application schema.

12. The database environment of claim 8, the operations further comprising:

when the validating the application model is successful;

storing information within the database environment indicating that the application model has been successfully validated against the application schema.

13. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computing device to perform a method for validating application models within a database environment, the method comprising:

receiving an application schema, wherein the application schema defines one or more application-specific constraints for validating application models that are associated with the application schema;

storing the application schema within the database environment;

receiving an application model, wherein the application model defines operation of an application, and wherein the application model is associated with the application schema;

validating the application model, wherein the validating comprises determining whether the application model satisfies the one or more application-specific constraints defined by the application schema, wherein validation is successful when the application model satisfies all of the one or more application-specific constraints defined by the application schema, wherein a constraint is satisfied when the constraint is consistent with the application model;

upon successful validation of the application model, storing the application model within the database environment, wherein successful validation of the application model is required before the application model is stored within the database environment, and wherein successful validation of the application model is required before an application based on the application model is executed within the database environment; and

when the validation of the application model is unsuccessful, outputting a result of the validation that indicates the application model will not be stored within the database environment, wherein validation is unsuccessful when the application model fails at least one of the application-specific constraints defined by the application schema;

wherein the application schema remains available within the database environment, and cannot be removed from the database environment, while there are any application models stored within the database environment that are associated with the application schema and that were validated against the application schema.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein validating the application model comprises:

parameterizing an application independent validation algorithm with the application schema.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, the method further comprising:

receiving a meta-schema, wherein the meta-schema defines constraints for an application platform, wherein the application model is associated with the application platform;

wherein validating the application model further comprises;

performing validation of the application model against the meta-schema.