Multi-format centralized distribution of localized resources for multiple products

• US 20080263052A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zhigu Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kelkar, Amol, Anan, Hesham, McCracken, Timothy J., Parsell, Ryan D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking

Abstract

A multi-format centralized framework for the distribution of resources. The framework allows product teams to update resources independent of a product build process and, to store and distribute the resources from a central repository (a shared resource server system) in multiple formats. The central repository includes a storage structure that can support all markets and all products. Resources can now be updated on the product frontend or delivered directly to the client when requested. Team resources can be stored in a single file format (e.g., RESX) and distributed in multiple formats (e.g., XML, RESX, JS, etc.). Both server-side and client-side rendering are supported. In further support of the deployment of updated localized strings without requiring a build, the architecture supports the sub-versioning of strings. In support of scalability, different levels of caching of the strings through edge cache and custom designed cache mechanism are provided.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system that facilitates resource management, comprising:

a resource component for storing and delivering resources in multiple formats for different product build processes; and

an access component for allowing interaction with the resources independent of the build processes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interaction involves updating the stored resources.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the interaction involves downloading the resources specific to a market.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the resources are grouped at the resource component for downloading specific to the market.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the resources are in the form of strings that are converted into the multiple formats for distribution to requesting consumers.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the multiple formats include resx, js and XML file formats.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the resources are distributed to a non-scripting consumer via a frontend server.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the resources are distributed directly to a script-supported consumer.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the script-supported consumer receives the resources as a script file that includes all or a subset of the resources.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the resources are rendered on one of a client or server.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the resources are runtime updatable.

12. A computer-implemented method of managing resources, comprising:

storing resources in a format on a central repository for different build processes;

requesting the resources according to a locale;

formatting the resources based on a consumer that issued the request; and

distributing the resources to the consumer independent of a build process.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising distributing the resources from providers, one of which is a string provider.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising rendering the resources in a browser of a client.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising rendering the resources via the browser, the browser accessing a frontend web server to render the resources.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising rendering the resources on a frontend server by checking a cache of the server.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising initially attempting to find the resources by market and subsequently by language or a default market.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising versioning the resources in the central repository according to at least one of a major version number, a minor version number or a build number.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising grouping the resources and downloading the resources by a group.

20. A computer-implemented system, comprising:

computer-implemented means for storing resources in a generic format in a single central repository;

computer-implemented means for requesting the resources according to a market;

computer-implemented means for formatting the resources based on a requesting consumer; and

computer-implemented means for distributing the resources to the consumer independent of the build processes.