DE102019002389B3 - Digital process management (DPM) - Google Patents

Abstract

"Digital Process Management (DPM)" (FIG 1) is a process for developing digital processes without conventional programming by separating them into separate components. Process and logic in a "Process Database (PDB)" (1) and the execution of the PDB processes in a "Virtual Management Program (VMP)" (2).
short version
problem
The software development, whose technical content has been specified by competent users (hereinafter referred to as users), is carried out through programming and is often associated with a long waiting period. If users had a tool at their disposal to do the work themselves, time, effort and misunderstandings would be avoided.
solution
The creation of such processes by the users is an important step in order to design the support of work through digital processes quickly and without detours. This requires a relatively simple and clearly structured description of - even complex - systems.
In order to guarantee this even for complex and subject-independent overall systems, the subject logic and its algorithms as well as the sequence control without software code of a 'process database' (PDB) are described in a structured manner. Processing by a 'Virtual Management Program' (VMP) which contains neutral building blocks for digital functions to be performed. The virtual processing takes place by merging the PDB descriptions and the VMP, which is already available in machine language, in the main memory of a carrier system (computer, smartphone, etc.).
field of use
Independent development of digitization processes and IT applications by professionally competent users.

Description

The invention relates to digital process management (DPM), with which the creation of digital processes is simplified in such a way that technically competent users (hereinafter referred to as users) can also create them.

• - ‚Prozessdatenbank (PDB)‘ mit verständlichen Beschreibungen und
• - ‚Virtuelles Management Programm (VMP)‘, im Maschinencode vorliegendes Programm mit digitalen Funktionen ohne Verbindungen von Ablauf und Logik,

im Hauptspeicher des Trägersystems (Computer, Smartphone etc) die vom Nutzer oder durch andere in der PDB beschriebenen digitale Prozesse ausführen.This is characterized in that separate components

• - 'Process database (PDB)' with understandable descriptions and
• - 'Virtual Management Program (VMP)', the program in the machine code with digital functions without any connection between process and logic,

in the main memory of the carrier system (computer, smartphone etc.) carry out the digital processes described by the user or by other digital processes.

Current situation

Software development is carried out by programmers using a special programming language (Java, JavaScript, C, COBOL, etc.), who have mastered these through special courses and practice. These programs are converted into machine language using a compiler, which are then installed in the memory of a computer or other media. To simplify the creation of specific areas of application, there is usually a preprogrammed interface on which a user can add to the specified solution. For larger additions there are EXITS with which software code is encoded in the given programming language. These solutions must also be converted and installed prior to execution.

The departments want IT systems that help them solve their tasks better and faster.

For example, new or changed tasks or new features or changes on the part of external bodies. IT departments can often only fulfill these requests, the technical content of which is predetermined by the users, after long waiting times. The realizations therefore depend heavily on the requirements, internal and external, sometimes. This applies in particular to tasks that are subject to constantly changing requirements
(eg professional analyzes).

Requests are described by users for the IT departments so that they can be implemented in programs. Several positions can be involved. Due to semantic ambiguities, there are queries and changes that take up more time for everyone involved.

There is no bridge between user specifications and implementation in IT programs. A process that enables users to write descriptions themselves so that a computer can execute them. This eliminates inconsistencies between user requests and software development and the time required for communication and specialist testing between users and IT programmers.

The solution

The decoupling of processing logic and software code in two separate components by a "Digital Process Management (DPM)".

This enables even complex software systems to be set up without programming knowledge. The construction of a process in a process database (PDB) by users guarantees the correct creation and traceability of process descriptions. The PDB is the descriptive and leading component of the DPM system.

The 'Virtual Management Program (VMP)' is the executive component, which contains functions that are independent of one another and is written in a platform-independent programming language (e.g. C, Java, etc.) that is converted into machine language.

When the VMP is called, this and the desired process are transferred from the PDB to the main memory of a carrier system (computer, server, smartphone, etc.). There the PDB descriptions are merged with the VMP functions and the descriptions from the PDB are processed ( 2nd ). If necessary, the VMP can be called up immediately after partial / creation of PDB descriptions or changes. With a suitable system environment, this enables immediate tests of the (sub) process described.

Process database (PDB)

The process database is a structured description level. It is independent of programming languages - including the one with which the VMP was written. The PDB is based on the virtual database of heterogeneous data structures (patents DE50101548D / EP 1 258 812 B1 / US6920457 ) built up ( 3rd ). This gives an overview of VDB storage.

In a process database, this storage model of the automatic chaining of the Addresses used to describe processes and their algorithms in a structured and comprehensible manner. Anchor names in the levels Alpha and Beta determine the process ( 4th ). To back up the data, executable projects or levels can simply be copied from it (e.g. before major changes or as a template for new descriptions).

The descriptions are made in a way that can also be learned quickly by laypeople. The processes are transparent for authorized persons and, due to the structure, are easy to check and process ( 5 ).

This enables simple processing descriptions ( 6 ) in the form of simple assignments and decision tables ( 9 ) that are easy to create and easy to change by users.

A PDB process generator can independently propose entries in tables for processing, even with access to external stocks (e.g. for BigData analyzes, etc.), which users can activate and, if necessary, test immediately by starting the VMP.

• - für Adminministratoren zugänglich: Die Berechtigungsverwaltung und andere Einträge wie Marker-Sonderzeichen, die für die Kommunikation mit dem VMP erforderlich sind etc
• - Nicht zugänglich: Ein Bereich der für das VPM zur Speicherung von selbstgenerierten PDB-Einträgen vorgehalten wird.

Various completely or partially hidden data can be recorded in a blocked area of the PDB. Eg

• - accessible to administrators: the authorization management and other entries such as special marker characters that are required for communication with the VMP etc
• - Not accessible: An area reserved for the VPM for storing self-generated PDB entries.

The saved descriptions are executed by a virtual management program (VMP). For this purpose, markers are set in the PDB descriptions, which enable the VMP to identify the functions to be performed.

Virtual management program (VMP)

The VMP contains neutral modules that make entries in the database possible. That means it knows neither the processes nor the logic of the system to be executed.

A VMP is created in a platform-independent programming language and converted into machine language.

The same functions that are defined by the markers in the PDB must be carried out in the blocks. To process the PDB processes, the converted VMP must be installed on the required operating system.

This ensures that various digital systems can be created in the PDB or their sequence or logic changed without the VMP having to be recompiled for execution. Execution in main memory is triggered by the transfer of the starting point of a process to the database. This can e.g. by calling the VMP via the user interface of the database or by another form dependent on the operating system. The VMP does not know the processing steps before the call, but only learns them when they are executed by entering the PDB parts loaded into the main memory.

A change in the VMP - with subsequent compilation - is only necessary if new requirements are to be realized via the database, the functions of which are not intended in the VMP. Theoretically, the VPM can be expanded until all requirements of the digital world are included.

Of course, it is possible to create your own VPM systems for certain processing types (e.g. for batch / online or BigData processing). However, the common functions (mathematics, transfers, comparisons, etc.) should be dealt with identically. Markers must be created in the PDB for the additional functions.

Example:

A VMP contains the components for batch systems. However, online systems are to be created. The processing for sending online masks, reading the entries, writing online information such as errors, results, etc. must be included in the VMP. In order to be able to execute such processes via the VPM, they must be described in the PDB and the VMP must be converted into machine language. By adopting the basic functions from the previous VMP and setting up additional online functions, a separate VMP for online processes could also be created.

The VMP is called up by transferring the project and process address of the PDB (alpha address of the process). This can be done by a stream from the input of an online interface etc., the PDB interface or as a call from other operating systems (job control - JCL) or other programs. The processes can be executed immediately after being called. This also applies to only partially described processes (e.g. for testing unfinished sub-processes).

• - Die Beschreibung erfolgt so strukturiert, dass sie von Nutzern nach einer kurzen Schulung erstellt werden kann.
• - Keine Abläufe und Algorithmen in fest programmierten und umgewandelten Programmen.
• - Die Beschreibungen in der PDB sind unabhängig von Programmiersprachen, womit die Programmiersprache und deren Version des VMP unbedeutend ist.
• - Die Verarbeitung ist schnell, da das VMP direkt auf die Adressen des im Hauptspeicher befindlichen PDB-Prozess zugreift.
• - Das VMP ist frei von Ablauf und Logik und kann alle PDB-Beschreibungen ausführen, die Funktionen beinhalten, die das VMP kennt.
• - Erstellung und Änderung von Prozessen außerhalb von fest kompilierten Programmen in der PDB und absolute Transparenz der Verarbeitung durch die virtuelle Zusammenführung der PDB-Beschreibungen mit den VMP-Funktionen bei der Ausführung im Hauptspeicher.

Some advantages of 'digital process management' (DPM)

• - The description is structured so that it can be created by users after a short training.
• - No processes and algorithms in permanently programmed and converted programs.
• - The descriptions in the PDB are independent of programming languages, which makes the programming language and its version of the VMP insignificant.
• - The processing is fast because the VMP directly accesses the addresses of the PDB process in the main memory.
• - The VMP is free of process and logic and can execute all PDB descriptions that contain functions that the VMP knows.
• - Creation and modification of processes outside of compiled programs in the PDB and absolute transparency of the processing through the virtual merging of the PDB descriptions with the VMP functions when executing in the main memory.

Reference list

1

Process database (PDB)

2nd

Virtual Management Program (VMP)

3rd

Executable (sub) processes from PDB

4th

Income and expenses

5

Process database on a table of relational databases etc.

6

Process database on sequential file

7

Sequential file

8th

Virtual management program on sequential file

9

Simple example of processing with assignment and calculation

10th

External data management

11

Read data

12th

Write data

13

Internal data management

16

build up virtual expenses

15

Internal functions

17th

Windows / Linux

18th

Web browser

19th

Mainframe operating system etc

20

Main memory

21

Project address in main memory

22

Process address in main memory

Claims (7)

Process for the development of IT applications and other digitized processes with a digital process management model consisting of one Process database (1) for the code-free description of algorithms, logic and processes including storage of IT applications and other digitized processes and a virtual management program (2) consisting of function blocks which are stored in machine code, the process database containing projects and process database descriptions, markers being set in the process database descriptions, comprising: - Determination of IT applications and other processes in the correct order using the process database description - ensuring that IT applications and other processes are processed in the correct order using anchor names that are stored in the process database, - Identification of the function blocks in the virtual management program using markers - Execution of the function blocks in the virtual management program, so that the digital process management model is designed such that process database data and the virtual management program are linked for execution in the main memory. Procedure according to Claim 1 Descriptions are characterized by the fact that even technically competent users - hereinafter referred to as users - can create and understand these in an audit-proof manner. Procedure according to Claim 1 The storage of 'blocked information' in the process database is characterized in that in a blocked area - information for authorization management and other entries such as marker characters are only released for administrators - a version indicator for the minimum requirement for the virtual management program for backup the correct processing of the process database descriptions is available - information is only available for the VIRTUAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM for storage for self-generated PROCESS DATABASE entries Procedure according to Claim 1 , whereby processing descriptions are characterized in that a process database process generator independently uses entries in tables for processing, also with access to external stocks, which users can activate, change and, if necessary, test immediately by starting the virtual management program. Procedure according to Claim 1 The provision of the virtual management program is characterized in that the virtual management program created in a programming language is converted once for all processes in the desired processing type into machine code and installed for processing in the required operating system. Procedure according to Claim 1 , whereby the prerequisites for use are characterized in that the virtual management program (2) is programmed independently of the platform and can be executed via all operating systems such as Windows / Linux (17), Internet browser (18), mainframe etc. (19), which the corresponding machine code of the accept converted virtual management program. Procedure according to Claim 1 The functionality of the digital process management in the main memory (20) is characterized in that - the version marking for the minimum requirement for the virtual management program for executing the process database descriptions is checked, - the addresses of the project (21) and process (22) the virtual Management program for external data management (10) are transferred, - the inputs are read (11) - the addresses of all tables for the process are saved (13), - the internal functions are executed (15) and the output data is generated (14) and the external one Data management (10) are passed, which creates the expenditure (12).

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