Object Replacement Method, System and Computer Program Product

• US 20080301658A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: El-Kersh, Ehab
• Granted Patent: US 8,276,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/165
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4488 Object-oriented

Abstract

Replacing an object in an object oriented model in a computer system, by interrogating the model to retrieve information defining the relationships between the object to be replaced and other components of the model is described. These relationship definitions are then used to configure the replacement object within the model so as to assume corresponding relationships with the other components. There may be established as a part of the model functions to detect changes to the relationships between objects belonging to the model, and recording the changes in a registry. This registry is then interrogated to retrieve relationship definitions necessary to replace an object.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of amending an object oriented model comprising the steps of:

identifying a first object or group of objects to be added to the model;

identifying a second object or group of objects to be replaced by said first object or group of objects;

interrogating the model to retrieve information defining the relationships between said second object or group of objects and other components of said model; and

using said relationship definitions to configure said first object or group of objects within said model so as to assume corresponding relationships with said other components.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein at said step of interrogating the model, said information retrieved is meta-information.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of detecting changes to the relationships between objects belonging to said model, and recording said changes in a registry, and wherein at said step of interrogating the model, it is said registry which provides said relationship definitions.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said steps of detecting changes to the relationships between objects belonging to said model and recording said changes in a registry are realised by means of object cross references, reflection or meta information.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein with respect to objects referenced by said second object or group of objects, said information is information of the second object or group of objects, and with respect to objects which reference said second object or group of objects, said information is information stored in said registry.

6. A computer implemented model maintenance method comprising the steps of detecting changes to relationships between objects belonging to a model;

recording said changes in a registry; and

providing relationship definitions concerning one or more of said objects upon interrogation.

7. A system for amending an object oriented model comprising:

a computer processor for executing instructions;

a memory coupled to the computer processor for storing said instructions;

means for identifying a first object or group of objects to be added to the model;

means for identifying a second object or group of objects to be replaced by said first object or group of objects;

means for interrogating the model to retrieve information defining the relationships between said second object or group of objects and other components of said model; and

means for using said relationship definitions to configure said first object or group of objects within said model so as to assume corresponding relationships with said other components.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein at said means for interrogating the model, said information retrieved is meta-information.

9. The system of claim 7 comprising the further means for detecting changes to the relationships between objects belonging to said model, and recording said changes in a registry, and wherein at said means for interrogating the model, it is said registry which provides said relationship definitions.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said means for detecting changes to the relationships between objects belonging to said model and recording said changes in a registry are realised by means of object cross references, reflection or meta information.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein with respect to objects referenced by said second object or group of objects, said information is information of the second object or group of objects, and with respect to objects which reference said second object or group of objects, said information is information stored in said registry.

12. A computer program product comprising computer readable medium having computer instructions, said instructions which when loaded on a computer system implement a method of amending an object oriented model, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a first object or group of objects to be added to the model;

identifying a second object or group of objects to be replaced by said first object or group of objects;

interrogating the model to retrieve information defining the relationships between said second object or group of objects and other components of said model; and

using said relationship definitions to configure said first object or group of objects within said model so as to assume corresponding relationships with said other components.

13. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein at said step of interrogating the model, said information retrieved is meta-information.

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein said method comprises the further steps of detecting changes to the relationships between objects belonging to said model, and recording said changes in a registry, and wherein at said step of interrogating the model, it is said registry which provides said relationship definitions.

15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein said steps of detecting changes to the relationships between objects belonging to said model and recording said changes in a registry are realised by means of object cross references, reflection or meta information.

16. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein with respect to objects referenced by said second object or group of objects, said information is information of the second object or group of objects, and with respect to objects which reference said second object or group of objects, said information is information stored in said registry.