Method for consistent and efficient management of program configuration and customizing data

• US 20070005745A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Bertelsmeier, Frank, Prestel, Helmut, Schmitt, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 7,707,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A computer system and computer program product executing a method for consistent and efficient management of program configuration and customizing data for a business application program. According to one method, an existing or newly created version of a global switch configuration is provided in a cache shared by one or more other programs. The cached switch configuration provides a configuration for a switch framework that governs access to one or more program functions of a business application. The cached switch configuration is then attached to the business application to provide an attached version of the switch configuration. Compatibility between the attached version of the switch configuration and the business application is determined. If compatibility exists, the business application program is executed in accordance with the attached version of the switch configuration.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing an existing or newly created version of a global switch configuration in a cache shared by one or more other programs, the cached switch configuration providing a configuration for a switch framework that governs access to one or more program functions of a business application;

attaching the cached switch configuration to the business application to provide an attached version of the switch configuration;

determining compatibility between the attached version of the switch configuration and the business application; and

if compatibility exists, executing the business application program in accordance with the attached version of the switch configuration.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising linking the executed business application program with the attached version of the switch configuration to inhibit modification of the attached version of the switch configuration.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

adding modifications to the global switch configuration, which results in a new version of the switch configuration, usable for later-started business application but not for currently-running business applications.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising generating a new version of a switch configuration based on modifications made to the global switch configuration.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising designating all attached versions of the switch configuration as old versions after the modifications are committed to the global switch configuration.

6. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in an information carrier, comprising instructions operable to:

provide an existing or newly created version of a global switch configuration in a cache shared by one or more other programs, the cached switch configuration providing a configuration for a switch framework that governs access to one or more program functions of a business application;

attach the cached switch configuration to the business application to provide an attached version of the switch configuration;

determine compatibility between the attached version of the switch configuration and the business application; and

if compatibility exists, execute the business application program in accordance with the attached version of the switch configuration.

7. A product in accordance with claim 6, further comprising instructions operable to:

link the executed business application program with the attached version of the switch configuration to inhibit modification of the attached version of the switch configuration.

8. A product in accordance with claim 6, further comprising instructions operable to add modifications to the global switch configuration, which results in a new version of the switch configuration, usable for later-started business application but not for currently-running business applications.

9. A product in accordance with claim 6, further comprising instructions operable to generate a new version of a switch configuration based on modifications made to the global switch configuration.

10. A product in accordance with claim 9, further comprising instructions operable to designate all attached versions of the switch configuration as old versions after the modifications are committed to the global switch configuration.

11. A computer system comprising:

a compile-time executable software module operable to

provide an existing or newly created version of a global switch configuration in a cache shared by one or more other programs, the cached switch configuration providing a configuration for a switch framework that governs access to one or more program functions of a business application;

attach the cached switch configuration to the business application to provide an attached version of the switch configuration;

determine compatibility between the attached version of the switch configuration and the business application; and

if compatibility exists, execute the business application program in accordance with the attached version of the switch configuration.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising instructions operable to:

link the executed business application program with the attached version of the switch configuration to inhibit modification of the attached version of the switch configuration.

13. A system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising instructions operable to:

add modifications to the global switch configuration, which results in a new version of the switch configuration, usable for later-started business application but not for currently-running business applications.

14. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising instructions operable to generate a new version of a switch configuration based on modifications made to the global switch configuration.

15. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising instructions operable to designate all attached versions of the switch configuration as old versions after the modifications are committed to the global switch configuration.