JP2001184200A - Method and device for generating application framework and computer readable recording medium storing application framework generation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a development environment suitable for developing an application program to work with a workflow function by a programmer. SOLUTION: A basic processing program 14 (BP14) is called, for example, by an interface based on work processing interface definition 10 (definition 10) including types and the number of arguments from a program of a client 16, to include a processing part to call the workflow function 17 (function 17) of the application program 13 (AP 13) to call the workflow function 17 to change the state of work based on business process definition 11 (definition 11) including rules of state change, a value of the argument when the function 17 is called by the BP 14 is defined as a value of the argument selected from the arguments defined by the definition 10 among the values of arguments in the case of calling of the AP 13 and a value of an attribute selected among attributes to be included in the definition 11 and the BP 14 is generated by using the selected value of the argument and the selected value of the attribute as the value of the argument in each step of the BP 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the generation of a framework for generating a part of a program relating to basic processing in order to facilitate the creation of an application program.
In particular, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for generating a framework for an application program which calls various workflows as work items and tasks and calls a workflow function for managing their states.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when developing a large-scale system to be used for mission-critical business or the like, it is necessary to develop many application programs. A framework generation tool exists as a tool for easily developing many of these application programs. Of the processing performed by the application program, the main processing related to work is the operation of a database (hereinafter, referred to as “DB”), and the framework generation tool automatically generates programs for other processing parts. The process automatically generated by the framework generation tool includes a process for controlling communication with another program, a process for controlling a transaction such as a DB, and the like.

[0003] Specific examples of such a framework generation tool include a CORBA IDL compiler and an EJB container generation tool. CORBA is a standard specification of an interface between objects in object-oriented programming, and is standardized by the Object Management Group, Inc. and publicly available. And many companies have commercialized IDL compilers according to this specification. CORBA
Detailed information on the IDL compiler can be obtained from a page on the Internet (http://www.omg.org/). EJB is a specification that defines an architecture that facilitates the development of server applications.
Developed by crosystems, Inc. and publicly available.
Many companies have commercialized an EJB server with an EJB container generation tool according to this specification. EJB and EJ
BFor detailed information on the container generation tool, see the web page (http://www.javasoft.com/products/ej
b / index.html). DB operation programming related to application program duties is a standard programming language for DB operation
Perform with SQL etc. SQL is ANSI (American National Standards
Institute) or ISO (International Standards Organiza)
specification) and JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) have been defined and published.

In recent years, in such a large-scale system, there has been a movement to construct a system using a workflow function. The workflow function has been developed as a system for circulating documents and the like electronically. "Nikkei Computer September 1, 1997, p204-p207
You can get an overview with "Basic course Basic principles of workflow software". The workflow function expresses the state transition of one business process (hereinafter referred to as "item") for each request from the time a job request is generated in various tasks until it is completed, and stores and manages it. I do. In general, it is necessary to go through several steps in order to complete one task, and each of these steps is expressed as a state transition of a work item (hereinafter referred to as “work”), and stored / managed. I do. And the workflow function defines what each work means, what work should be done next when one work is completed, what work is completed when the work is completed, etc. Change the status of Items and work based on the defined business process definition.

[0005] As an organization that standardizes workflow functions
There is WfMC (Workflow Management Coalition), which defines standard models for business process definition. Detailed information on these specifications can be obtained from the WfMC Internet page (http://www.aiim.org/wfmc/). In the development of a large-scale system, an application program for performing each work of the workflow function is developed for each work. These application programs appropriately call the workflow function and cooperate with the workflow function. These multiple application programs are linked via a workflow function to realize a large-scale system.

[0006]

A conventional framework generation tool calls a workflow function and does not automatically generate a program relating to a process cooperating with the workflow function. Therefore, the programmer needs to write a program that calls the workflow function by himself. However, programmers who have conventionally developed application programs for large-scale systems are good at programming for DB operations, but have little knowledge of workflow functions. For this reason, it is difficult for these programmers to call up the workflow function and to perform the programming of the process cooperating with the workflow function. It is also difficult to extend a conventional framework generation tool so that a process for calling a workflow function can be automatically generated.
This is because, when the framework generation tool automatically generates the process for calling the workflow function, it does not know how to obtain the value to be set for the argument, and cannot automatically generate the process for setting the argument. An object of the present invention is to provide a development environment suitable for a programmer to develop an application program that cooperates with a workflow function.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for calling a program from another program based on a task processing interface definition including the type and number of arguments to change the task state. An application framework generation method for generating a basic processing program including a processing part for calling a workflow function of an application program for calling a workflow function for changing based on a business process definition including rules, the business processing interface definition and the business process The basic processing program is generated using the information of the definition.

[0008] In addition, it is called from another program by an interface based on a business process interface definition including types and numbers of arguments, and calls a workflow function for changing a business state based on a business process definition including a state change rule. An application framework generating method for generating a basic processing program including a processing portion for calling a workflow function of an application program, wherein the basic processing program calls an argument value when calling the workflow function by using an argument when calling the application program. Of the arguments selected from the arguments defined in the business process interface definition and the values of the attributes selected from the attributes included in the business process definition. Select the value as above And so as to generate a basic processing program by using the value of the selected attribute and the value of the argument.

[0009] The process from the generation of one request in the business to the response to the request is expressed as a state transition of one case, and one business process definition includes a rule for changing the state of the case for one business. The workflow function stores a status of the case and a business process definition ID for identifying the business process definition corresponding to the case, and changes the status of the case based on the business process definition; Regarding an argument when the program calls a procedure for registering a new matter of the workflow function, the business processing interface of the argument at the time of calling the application program is used as an argument value for designating a matter ID for identifying a newly registered matter. Using the value of the argument selected from the arguments defined in the definition, As the value of the argument that specifies the business process definition ID for identifying the business process definition to respond, it is to use a value of the business process definition ID included in the business process definition.

[0010] In addition, from the generation of one request in a business to the response to the request is expressed as a state transition of one case, and when the business is performed in cooperation with a plurality of persons or programs, each person or program is executed. The process for each program is expressed as a state transition of the work included in the case, the business process definition includes the case related to the work and a rule for changing the state of the work, and the workflow function includes the case and one case. Are stored based on the business process definition, and the basic processing program executes the procedure for changing the work state of the workflow function. As the value of the argument that specifies the matter ID that identifies the matter that includes the work whose status is to be changed, Using the value of the argument selected from the arguments defined in the business process interface definition, the value of the work definition ID included in the business process definition as the value of the argument specifying the work definition ID for identifying the work whose status is to be changed Is used.

[0011] Further, the workflow function is called from another program based on a business process interface definition including the type and number of arguments, and changes a business state based on a business process definition including a state change rule. An application framework generation device for generating a basic processing program including a processing portion for calling a workflow function of an application program, wherein the basic processing program calls the application program as an argument value when calling the application program. Means for allowing the user to select the value of the argument from among the values defined in the business process interface definition, and for allowing the user to select the attribute value from the attributes included in the business process definition, and a basic processing program Each step And to have a means for setting the value of the selected values and the selected attributes of the argument as the value of the definitive argument.

Also, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which an application framework generating program is recorded. The computer-readable recording medium is called from another program by an interface based on a business processing interface definition including types and numbers of arguments. An application framework generating program for generating a basic processing program including a processing portion for calling a workflow function of an application program for calling a workflow function for changing a state of the application program based on a business process definition including a rule for state change, As a parameter value when the program calls the workflow function, the user selects an argument value from the argument values defined in the business processing interface definition among the argument values at the time of calling the application program. Causing the user to select an attribute value from the attributes included in the business process definition, and setting the value of the selected argument and the value of the selected attribute as the value of the argument in each step of the basic processing program Have a procedure to do.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an outline of a framework generation tool to which a framework generation method of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the framework generation tool. First, a general application program that uses the workflow function regardless of the framework generation tool will be described. The application program 13 is called from a service request terminal 16 (hereinafter, referred to as a client), and appropriately calls a workflow function 17 to execute various processes. Business process interface definition
Reference numeral 10 defines an interface between the application program 13 and the client 16 at this time. Based on this definition, the calling process on the client 16 side and the called process on the application program 13 side are described. Business process definition 11 is workflow function 17
Is information to be referred to, and describes what rules are used to change the status of a case or the like expressing the status of business. The workflow function 17 operates so as to change the state of the matter or the like with reference to the business process definition 11 as appropriate.

Next, a framework generation tool according to the present invention will be described. The framework generation tool 12 includes a workflow function 17 in the application program 13.
A basic processing program 14 including a processing part for calling is generated. This allows the programmer to program only the other business processing programs 15 and develop the application program 13 without knowing how to call the workflow function 17. The feature of the framework generation tool 12 is that information necessary for generating a processing part for calling the workflow function 17 is obtained from the business process interface definition 10 and the business process definition 11. Information required when calling the workflow function 17 includes information included in an argument specified when the client 16 calls the application program 13 and information included as an attribute value in the business process definition 11.
In the former case, the programmer specifies which argument contains the information from the business process interface definition 10, and generates a process for calling the workflow function 17 using the value of the argument. In the latter case, the required attribute values from business process definition 11 are
12 determines and generates a process for calling the workflow function 17 using the value as an argument.

Next, a more specific embodiment of the framework generation tool of the present invention will be described. First, the configuration of the entire system including the framework generation tool of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 shows an overall configuration diagram of a large-scale system including a framework generation tool.
The system includes a service providing computer 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a server computer) and a plurality of service request computers 101 (hereinafter, referred to as server computers).
Client computer) is connected via the network 102.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of the server computer 100.
The server computer 100 stores the framework generation tool 136 of the present invention. The server computer 100 has a CPU 120,
It comprises a storage device 126, a display 121, a keyboard 122, a mouse 123, a removable media device 124, and a network interface 125. These components are bus 127
, And the network interface 125 is connected to another computer via the network 102. The storage device 126 includes a framework generation tool 136 and a workflow function 130 relating to the present invention, a plurality of business process definitions 131 referred to by the workflow function 130, workflow data 132 updated by the workflow function 130,
An application program 133 that calls the workflow function 130 in response to a request from the client computer 101, a plurality of business processing interface definitions 135 defining a call interface of the application program 133,
Business data 1 updated by application program 133
34, an OS (Operating System) 128 is stored.

The application program 133 is transmitted from the client computer 101 to the business process interface definition 135
, The business data 134 is updated as required, and the workflow function 130 is called. The workflow function 130 includes an application program 133
Called from the business process definition 131 on demand
And updates the workflow data 132. The framework generation tool 136 reads the business processing interface definition 135 and the business process definition 131, and, among the application programs 133, the workflow function 1
A basic processing program including a process for calling 30 is generated.

Next, an application program created by using the framework generation tool of the present invention and a workflow function cooperating with the application program will be described. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the workflow function 130. The workflow function 130 includes a case registration procedure 150, a work state change procedure 151, and the like. These procedures update the workflow data 132 with reference to the business process definition 131, which will be described later in detail.

FIG. 5 shows the data format of the business process definition 131. Business process definition 131 is BP definition identifier 1
70, a plurality of work definitions 171, and transition definitions 172, one business process definition 131 defines one type of work.
Here, BP is an abbreviation for Business Process. The BP definition identifier 170 is an attribute for specifying one business process definition 131 from a plurality of business process definitions 131,
Contains P definition name 173 and BP definition ID 174. The BP definition name 173 indicates the type of work and a name that is easy for humans to remember is set, and the BP definition ID 174 is set to an efficient integer type value when specified by a program. It is necessary to set different values for the BP definition name 173 and the BP definition ID 174 between all the business process definitions 131.

The work definition 171 defines each of a plurality of processes required to complete the work, and has, as attributes, a work definition name 175, a work definition ID 176, a work state transition model 177, and an unexecuted state name 178. , The running state name 179 and the executed state name 180. The work definition name 175 and the work definition ID 176 both set a value for specifying one work definition 171 from the plurality of work definitions 171. The work definition name 175 indicates the contents of the work, and a name that can be easily remembered by a human is set. The work definition ID 176 is set to an efficient integer type value when specified by a program.
The work definition name 175 and the work definition ID 176 need to have different values between all the work definitions 171 in one business process definition 131. Work state transition model 177 is "two state transition"
And any value of “3 state transition”.

The workflow function 130 refers to this value,
Work related to the work definition 171 set as “two-state transition” is set as “three-state transition” so that the work transitions between two states, ie, an unexecuted state and an executed state.
The work related to 171 changes the state of the work so that the state transitions among three states of an unexecuted state, an executing state, and an executed state. Unexecuted state name 178, running state name 179,
Each of the executed state names 180 indicates what the work means when the work is in an unexecuted state, an executing state, or an executed state, and is set to a name that can be easily remembered by humans. When the value of the work state transition model 177 is “two-state transition”, the value of the executing state name 179 is not used.

The transition definition 172 indicates what work is to be executed first, what work is to be executed next when a certain work is completed, and which work is completed when the entire work is completed. Set. Transition 1 181 indicates that the work to be executed first is the work whose work definition ID 176 is “1001”. For transition 2 182, the work definition ID 176 is "1001"
Work is completed, then the work definition ID 176 is "1002"
Indicates that the task should be performed. And transition N 1
83 indicates that the work with work definition ID 176 "1003" is completed
Indicates that the entire task has been completed. In some cases, a dedicated program is used to create the business process definition 131.Here, however, the business process definition 131 is created using the text editing function provided by the OS 128, and stored in the storage device 126 as a text file using the file management function of the OS 128. I do.

FIG. 6 shows the workflow data 132. Workflow data 132 is managed as a table, and Item I
D 200, BP definition ID 201, work definition ID 202, work status code 203, and other columns. Then, one case is stored as one record. The matter ID 200 is an identifier for identifying the matter, and sets a unique value in the workflow data 132. The BP definition ID 201 indicates the business process definition 131 related to the matter. This value sets the BP definition ID 174 specified in the business process definition 131. The work definition ID 202 indicates the work to be executed or the work being executed at that time. This value is the work definition ID specified in the business process definition 131
Set 176. The work state code 203 is set to a value of “N”, “R”, or “C”. These indicate an unexecuted state, an executing state, and an executed state, respectively, as shown in the work state code correspondence table of FIG. The reason for storing the work state code 222 instead of the work state 221 in the work flow data 132 is to reduce the size of the work flow data 132 and in the work flow function interface 240 described later.
This is so that the work state can be specified in a type that the program can easily specify. Further, the work definition ID 202 indicates the work to be executed last, and when the work state code 203 is “C”, that is, the work completed state, it indicates that the case itself has been completed.

FIG. 8 shows an interface when the application program 133 calls the workflow function 130. The format of the workflow function interface 240 is CORBA
It conforms to the IDL interface. Detailed information on the CORBA and IDL compilers can be obtained from a page on the Internet (http://www.omg.org/) as described above. The workflow function interface 240 includes a case registration API 241 for newly registering a case, a work state change API 244 for changing a work state, and the like. The matter registration API 241 has a BP definition ID argument 242 and a matter ID argument 243 as input arguments. When the matter registration API 241 is called, the workflow function 130 executes a matter registration procedure 150. Work state change A
PI 244 has the Item ID argument 245 and the work definition ID as input arguments
It has an argument 246 and a work status code argument 247. When the work state change API 244 is called, the work flow function 130 executes the work state change procedure 151.

FIG. 9 shows a processing flow of the case registration procedure 150 of the workflow function 130. First, the corresponding business process definition 131 is selected based on the value of the BP definition ID argument 242 (step 260). Next, based on the transition definition 172 included in the selected business process definition 131, the work definition ID 176 of the work to be executed first is acquired (step 261). Next, a new record is added to the workflow data 132 using the values of the BP definition ID argument 242, the matter ID argument 243, and the acquired work definition ID 176 (step 262). At this time, a value “N” indicating an unexecuted state is set in the work state code 203.

FIG. 10 shows a processing flow of the work state change procedure 151 of the workflow function 130. First, matter ID argument 2
The workflow data 132 is searched based on the value of 45 and the value of the work definition ID argument 246 (step 280). As a result, if the corresponding record does not exist (step 281), an error indicating that the set value of the argument is incorrect is returned to the calling source (step 282). As a result of the search, if the corresponding record exists (step 281), then the work status code 2 of the corresponding record
03 is updated to the value of the work status code argument 247 (step 28
3). If the changed work state code 203 is not a value of “C” indicating the executed state (step 284), the work state change procedure 151 ends. If the work status code has a value of “C” indicating the executed status (step 284), the corresponding business process definition 131 is further selected from the value of the BP definition ID 201 of the record (step 285). Then, referring to the transition definition 172 of the selected business process definition 131, it is checked whether or not there is work to be executed next (step 28).
6). If there is no work to be executed next, the work state change procedure 151 ends. If there is work to be executed next, the work definition ID 176 of the work is acquired from the transition definition 172, and the work definition ID 202 of the corresponding record of the workflow data 132 is updated. At the same time, the work status code 203 is updated to “N” indicating an unexecuted status.

FIG. 11 shows an application program 133.
Is shown. The application program 133 includes a basic processing program 300 automatically generated by the framework generation tool 136 and a business processing program 303 programmed by a programmer. The basic processing program 300 is called from the client computer 101 in accordance with a business processing interface definition 135 described later, and after acquiring arguments required for calling the workflow function 130 from the argument information from the client computer, the basic processing program 300 is called. The business process program 303 is called with the same interface definition as the interface definition. Then, the appropriate API of the workflow function interface 240 is called. The business processing program 303 is a basic processing program 300
And updates the business data 134 as appropriate. The application program 133 is an example of a purchasing system, and the basic processing program 300 is a new order basic processing procedure 3
It consists of 01 and an estimation completion basic processing procedure 302. The business processing program 303 includes a new order business processing procedure 304 and an estimation completion business processing procedure 305. Details of these procedures will be described later.

FIG. 12 is referred to by the business processing program 303.
The business data 134 to be updated is shown. The business data 134 is managed as a table, and the order number 340, the item 341 and the approval result 34
2. It consists of columns such as 343 for purchase, 344 for estimated price, and 345 for purchase price. Then, one order is stored as one record. The order number 340 is a number assigned to each order and is used when inquiring the order status. In this purchase system, the order number 340 has the same value as the case ID 200 of the workflow data 132. The item 341 indicates the ordered item. The approval result 342 indicates whether the approver has permitted the order, and sets a value of “permitted” when the order is permitted, and “impossible” when not permitted. The purchase destination 343 indicates the purchase destination of the item, the estimated price 344 indicates the price of the estimation result, and the purchase price 345 indicates the price at the time of the final purchase.

FIG. 13 shows an application program 133.
Here is the definition of the business process interface which is the interface of The format of the business process interface definition 135 conforms to the CORBA IDL interface, similarly to the workflow function interface 240. The business process interface definition 135 includes a new order API 360 for ordering a new product, an estimate completion API 363 for inputting an estimate result, and the like. The new order API 360 has an item argument 361 indicating an item to be ordered as an input argument, and an order number argument 362 returning a number assigned to each order as an output argument. The basic processing program 300 of the application program 133 executes a new order basic processing procedure 301 when the client computer 101 calls the new order API 360. The new order basic processing procedure 301 calls the business processing program 303 with the same interface and executes the new order business processing procedure 304.

The estimation completion API 363 has as input arguments an order number argument 364 indicating a number assigned to each order, an estimation result price argument 365 indicating a price of the estimation result, and the like. Basic processing program 300 of application program 133
Executes the estimation completion basic processing procedure 302 when the estimation completion API 363 is called from the client computer 101. The estimation completion basic processing procedure 302 calls the business processing program 303 with the same interface, and executes the estimation completion business processing procedure 305. The business processing interface definition 135 is created by the text editing function provided by the OS 128, and is stored in the storage area 126 as a text file using the file management function of the OS 128.

FIG. 14 shows an application program 133.
2 shows a processing flow of the new order basic processing procedure 301. This procedure is automatically generated by the framework generation tool 136. The processing flow first calls the new order API 360 of the business processing program 303 using the value of the argument when the new order API 360 of the basic processing program 300 is called (step 380). Next, the value of the order number argument 362, which is the output argument of the new order API 360, called
It is stored in an ID variable (step 381). Next, BP definition ID argument 242
Is set to “100”, the value of the matter ID argument 243 is set to the value of the matter ID variable, and the matter registration API 241 of the workflow function 130 is called (step 382). Finally, the value of the output argument at the time of calling the new order API 360 of the business processing program 303 is directly returned to the calling source as the value of the output argument of the new order API 360 of the basic processing program 300 (step 383).

FIG. 15 shows an application program 133.
7 shows a processing flow of a new order business processing procedure 304 called from the new order basic processing procedure 301. This procedure is created by the programmer. The processing flow first generates an order number that is unique in the business data 134 for identifying an order for each case (step 400). This can be realized by setting the initial value to 1 and adding a value of 1 each time a new order is placed to the value of the order number. Next, a new record is added to the business data 134 using the generated order number and the value of the item argument 361 and the like (step 401). Finally, the order number is set in the order number argument 362 which is an output argument, and the process returns to the calling source (step 402).

FIG. 16 shows an application program 133.
Of the estimation completion basic processing procedure 302 of FIG.
This procedure is automatically generated by the framework generation tool 136. The processing flow first sets the value of the order number argument 364 as the value of the case ID and stores it in the case ID variable
(Step 420). Next, the estimation completion API 363 of the business processing program 303 is called using the value of the argument when the estimation completion API 363 of the basic processing program 300 is called (step 421). Finally, the value of the Matter ID argument 245 is
After calling the work state change API 244 of the workflow function 130 by setting the value of the variable and the value of the work definition ID argument 246 to “1002” and the value of the work state code argument 247 to “C”, the caller of this procedure Return to (Step 422).

FIG. 17 shows an application program 133.
3 shows a processing flow of an estimation completion business processing procedure 305 called from the estimation completion basic processing procedure 302. This procedure is created by the programmer. The processing flow first searches the business data 134 based on the value of the order number argument 363 (step 440). And if there is no corresponding record
(Step 441) Return an error to the caller (Step 44
2). As a result of the search, if the corresponding record exists (step 441), the estimated price 344 of the corresponding record is updated to the value of the estimated price argument 365, and the process returns to the calling source (step 441).
443).

Next, with regard to the framework generation method of the present invention, an embodiment of a framework generation tool to which the method is applied will be described. FIG. 18 shows the framework generation tool 13
5 shows the configuration. The framework generation tool 135 includes a framework generation procedure 500 and a framework generation procedure 5
It comprises a program type selection procedure 501 called from 00, a business process definition information acquisition procedure 502, a business processing interface definition information acquisition procedure 503, and a basic processing program generation procedure 504. These procedures acquire necessary information with reference to the business processing interface definition 135 and the business process definition 131, and generate the basic processing program 300 of the application program 133.

FIG. 19 shows a processing flow of the framework generation procedure 500. First, a program type that determines the type of program to be generated is selected. This process is performed by calling a program type selection procedure 501 (step 520).
Next, information necessary for generating a program is acquired from the business process definition 131. This process is performed by calling the business process definition information acquisition procedure 502 (step 521). Next, information necessary for generating a program is acquired from the business processing interface definition 135. This process is performed by calling the business process interface definition information acquisition procedure 503 (step 52).
2). Finally, the basic processing program 300 is generated. This processing is performed by calling the basic processing program generation procedure 504.
(Step 523).

FIG. 20 shows a program type selection procedure 501.
3 shows a processing flow. First, a program type selection screen 560 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed, and the selection of a program type is waited (step 540). The program type selection screen 560
It consists of a program type list 561 and a selection button 562. Framework generation tool 1 in program type list 561
Lists the types of programs that 36 can generate. The programmer selects the program type of the program to be created from the list, and clicks the select button 562. When the programmer selects a program type, the value is stored in a program type variable (step 541).

FIG. 22 shows a processing flow of the business process definition information acquisition procedure 502. First, a process is selected according to the value of the program type variable (step 600). First, the case where the value of the program type variable is the case registration will be described below. In the case of matter registration, first, the business process definition selection screen 640 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed, and the selection of the business process definition 131 is waited (step 601). The business process definition selection screen 640 includes a business process definition list 641 and a selection button 642. The business process definition list 641 displays a list of BP definition names 173 of all the business process definitions 131 stored in the storage device 126. The programmer selects the target business process definition 131 from the list and clicks the select button 642. When the programmer selects the business process definition 131, the value of the BP definition ID 174 of the selected business process definition 131 is stored in a BP definition ID variable (step 602).

Next, a case where the value of the program type variable is a change in the work state will be described. In the case of the work state change, first, the business process definition selection screen 640 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed as in the case of the case registration, and the programmer waits for the selection of the business process definition 131 (step 603). When the programmer selects the business process definition 131, a work definition selection screen shown in FIG. 24 is next displayed in order to select a work definition 171 to be processed from a plurality of work definitions 171 included in the selected business process definition 131. 660 is displayed (step 604). The work definition selection screen 660 is shown in FIG. 66 in which a plurality of work definitions 171 are connected by arrows according to the transition definition 172.
1 and a select button 662. A work definition name 175 is displayed in a square representing each work definition 171. The programmer selects the rectangle representing the target work definition 171 and presses the select button 6
Click 62. When the programmer selects the work definition 171, the work definition ID 176 of the work definition 171 is stored in a work definition ID variable (step 605).

Next, a change destination state selection screen 68 shown in FIG. 25 is designated to specify how to change the work state.
0 is displayed (step 606). Change destination status selection screen 680
Consists of a change destination status list 681 and a selection button 682. The change destination status list 681 displays a list of values corresponding to the work definition 171 selected earlier. Specifically, the unexecuted state name 178 and the executing state name 179 included in the work definition 171 (however, only when the work state transition model 177 is a three-state transition), the executed state name 18
Displays 0. For example, when the programmer wants to create the application program 133 for completing the estimation, the user selects “estimation completed” from the list and clicks the selection button 682. When the programmer selects the change destination state, the value is “N” if the value is the value of the unexecuted state name 178, “R” if the value is the value of the executing state name 179, and the value is the completed state name 180.
If the value is “C”, “C” is stored in the changed work state variable (steps 607 to 610).

FIG. 26 shows a processing flow of the business process interface definition information acquisition procedure 503. First, select the process according to the value of the program type variable (step 70
0). Hereinafter, the case where the value of the program type variable is the case registration or the work state change will be described. In the case of matter registration or work status change, first, the business process API selection screen 720 shown in FIG.
Wait for an API selection (step 701). Business processing API selection screen 7
20 includes a business processing API list 721 and a selection button 722.
The business process API list 721 displays a list of APIs included in all business process interface definitions 135 stored in the storage area 126. The programmer selects an API of the application program 133 to be created from the list, and clicks a selection button 722. When the programmer selects the business processing API, next, in order to specify an argument having a value required when calling the workflow function 130 from the selected API, FIG.
Is displayed (step 702).

The argument selection screen 740 includes a required information type 741, an argument list 742, and a selection button 743. Required information type 741
Indicates the type of information that needs to be acquired from the argument of the business processing API when the workflow function 130 is called for each program type. The tool specifies the type of this information corresponding to the input program type. Argument list
A list 742 shows the formal parameter names of all the parameters of the previously selected API. Programmers create business process APIs, for example
If the value of the order number argument 362 indicates the matter ID, select "order_numbe" from the argument list 742.
Select "r" and click the Select button 743. When the programmer selects an argument, the dummy argument name is stored in a case ID argument name variable (step 703). Further, whether the selected argument is an input argument or an output argument is stored in a case ID argument type variable (step 704).

FIGS. 29 and 30 show the processing flow of the basic processing program generation procedure 504. First, a process is selected according to the value of the program type variable (step 760). First, the case where the value of the program type variable is the case registration will be described below. In the case of matter registration, first, processing is selected depending on whether the value of the matter ID argument type variable is an input argument or an output argument (step 761). If the value of the case ID argument type variable is an output argument, then a step for calling the business processing program 303 is generated (step 762).

FIG. 31 shows an example of a program source code generated in the case of the new order basic processing procedure 301. Here, a case where a general C ++ language program source code is generated is taken as an example. The C ++ language is ANSI (American Nationa
l Standards Institute) standardized the specifications and made them available to the public. In the example of FIG. 31, the business processing program
The step of calling 304 looks like source code 801.
The argument names of the arguments “item”,..., “Oreder_number” when the new order API 360 of the basic processing program 300 is called are used as arguments when calling the new order API “order” of the business processing program “businessProgram”. Describe. For the argument name and API name “order”, the name written in the business process interface definition 135 is described as it is.
Variable "businessProgram" indicating the business processing program 303
Is a fixed name. With this description, the value of the input argument of the basic processing program 300 becomes the value of the input argument of the business processing program 303, and the value of the output argument of the business processing program 303 becomes the value of the output argument of the basic processing program 300.

Next, the basic processing program generation procedure 504 uses the value of the case ID argument name variable to execute the business processing program.
A step for storing the output argument value of the API in the matter ID variable is generated (step 763). In the example of FIG. 31, this step becomes like the source code 802. On the right side of the assignment operator “=”, the business process interface definition information acquisition procedure 503
Describe the value of the argument ID variable of the matter ID stored in
Describe the variable name of the matter ID variable on the left side. The variable name of the matter ID variable is a fixed name.

Next, a step for calling the case registration API 241 of the workflow function 130 is generated using the values of the BP definition ID variable and the case ID variable (step 766). This step looks like the source code 803. BP definition ID variable value “100” stored in business process definition information acquisition procedure 502
And the variable name of the matter ID variable as an argument, and the matter registration API "createProcessIn" of the workflow function "workflow"
stance ". "Workflow", "crea
The name of “teProcessInstance” is a fixed name like the variable name of the matter ID variable. According to the description of the source codes 802 and 803, the case registration API 241 is called with the value of the order number argument 362 of the new order API 360 as the value of the case ID argument. In the case of matter registration, if the value of the matter ID argument type variable is an input argument, the description to input the value to the matter ID variable compared to the case where the value of the matter ID argument type variable is the output argument, and a business process program The generation order of the description for calling 303 is reversed (steps 764 and 765). However, in this case, the substitution source variable for inputting the value to the matter ID variable is not the output variable of the basic processing program 300 but the input variable.

Next, a case where the value of the program type variable is a change in the work state will be described. In the case of work status change, first, processing is selected depending on whether the value of the matter ID argument type variable is an input argument or an output argument (step 77).
0). In the work state change, the case where the value of the matter ID argument type variable is the input argument is described first, contrary to the matter registration. This is to describe an example of the estimation completion basic processing procedure 302 in detail. If the value of the Matter ID argument type variable is an input argument, the basic processing program generation procedure 504
A step of storing the input argument value of the basic processing program API in the matter ID variable using the value of the argument name variable is generated (step 773).

FIG. 32 shows an example of a program source code generated in the case of the estimation completion basic processing procedure 302. In FIG. 32, this step becomes like the source code 821. The value of the matter ID argument name variable stored in the business process interface definition information acquisition procedure 503 is described as it is on the right side of the assignment operator “=”, and the variable name of the matter ID variable is described on the left side. The variable name of the matter ID variable is a fixed name.

Next, a step for calling the business processing program 303 is generated (step 774). In the example of FIG. 32, the step of calling the business processing program 303 is the
become that way. Estimation completion API of basic processing program 300
Arguments "order_number", "estima" when 363 was called
The argument name such as “ted_price” is described as it is as an argument when calling the estimation completion API “estimated” of the business processing program “businessProgram”. Argument name or API name "estim
“ated” describes the name written in the business process interface definition 135 as it is. Business processing program 30
The name of the variable “businessProgram” indicating 3 is a fixed name. With this description, the value of the input argument of the basic processing program 300 becomes the value of the input argument of the business processing program 303, and the value of the output argument of the business processing program 303 becomes the value of the output argument of the basic processing program 300.

Next, a step for calling the work state change API 244 of the workflow function 130 is generated using the value of the matter ID variable, the work definition ID variable, and the changed work state variable (step 775). This step looks like source code 823. The variable name of the matter ID variable and the value of the work definition ID variable stored in the business process definition information acquisition
2) and the value of the changed work state variable "C" as an argument, and the work state change API of the workflow function "workflow"
Describe to call "changeWorkItemState". "Wo
The names of “rkflow” and “changeWorkItemState” are fixed names like the variable name of the matter ID variable. Source code 82
1, the work status change API 2 using the value of the order number argument 364 of the quote completion API 363 as the value of the matter ID argument
Calls 44. In case of work status change, matter ID
When the value of the argument type variable is an output argument, the order of generating the description for inputting the value to the matter ID variable and the generation order of the description for calling the business processing program 303 are different from when the value of the matter ID argument type variable is the input argument. Reverse (steps 771, 772). However, in this case, the variable from which the value is input to the matter ID variable is not the input variable of the basic processing program 300 but the output variable.

According to the present embodiment, the program is called from another program by an interface based on the business process interface definition including the type and number of arguments, and changes the business status based on the business process definition including the status change rule. The framework generation tool that generates the basic processing program including the processing part that calls the workflow function of the application program that calls the workflow function to generate the basic processing program using the information of the business processing interface definition and the business process definition This makes it possible to easily develop an application program that cooperates with the workflow function without requiring the programmer to have knowledge of how to call the workflow function.

[0052]

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate a basic processing program of an application program for calling a workflow function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a framework generation tool.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an entire system including a framework generation tool.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a workflow function.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of a business process definition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table format of workflow data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table between work states and work state codes.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interface of a workflow function.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a matter registration procedure of the workflow function.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a work state change procedure of the workflow function.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an application program.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a table format of business data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a business process interface definition of an application program.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a new order basic processing procedure of an application program.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a new order business processing procedure of an application program.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an estimation completion basic processing procedure of an application program.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an estimation completion business processing procedure of an application program.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a framework generation tool.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a framework generation procedure of the framework generation tool.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a program type selection procedure of the framework generation tool.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program type selection screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a business process definition information acquisition procedure of the framework generation tool.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a business process definition selection screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work definition selection screen.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change destination state selection screen.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a business processing interface definition information acquisition procedure of the framework generation tool.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a business process API selection screen.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of an argument selection screen.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a basic processing program generation procedure of the framework generation tool.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a part of the processing flow of the basic processing program generation procedure of the framework generation tool, which is subsequent to FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a program source code of a new order basic process automatically generated.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a program source code of an automatically generated estimation completion basic process.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsunobu Tasaka 890 Kashimada, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Ltd.System Development Division, Hitachi, Ltd. 5B049 BB07 CC21 DD01 DD05 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG04 GG07 GG07 GG07 5B076 DD02 DF07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A workflow function that is called from another program based on a business process interface definition including the type and number of arguments and changes a business state based on a business process definition including a state change rule. An application framework generation method for generating a basic processing program including a processing portion for calling a workflow function of an application program, wherein the basic processing program is generated by using information of the business processing interface definition and the business process definition. A method of generating an application framework. 2. A workflow function that is called from another program based on a business process interface definition including the type and number of arguments and changes a business state based on a business process definition including a state change rule. An application framework generating method for generating a basic processing program including a processing part for calling a workflow function of an application program, the method comprising: calling a value of an argument when the basic processing program calls the workflow function; The value of the argument selected from the arguments defined in the business process interface definition and the value of the attribute selected from the attributes included in the business process definition are the arguments in each step of the basic processing program. Selected as the value of Application framework generation method characterized by generating a basic processing program by using the value as the value of selected attributes of the argument. 3. The application framework generation method according to claim 2, wherein a transition from generation of one request in business to response to the request is expressed as a state transition of one matter, and one business process definition is The workflow function includes a rule for changing a state of a matter relating to one business, wherein the workflow function stores a state of the matter and a business process definition ID for identifying the business process definition corresponding to the matter, and determines the state of the matter. Change based on the business process definition, and regarding the argument when the basic processing program calls the procedure for registering a new matter of the workflow function, as the argument value for specifying the matter ID for identifying the matter to be newly registered, Of the arguments at the time of calling the application program, defined in the business process interface definition Business process definition ID included in the business process definition as an argument value for specifying a business process definition ID for identifying the business process definition corresponding to the matter to be newly registered, using the value of the argument selected from the existing arguments A method for generating an application framework, wherein a value of the application framework is used. 4. The application framework generation method according to claim 2, wherein a transition from the generation of one request in the business to the response to the request is expressed as a state transition of one case, and the business is performed by a plurality of persons or programs. When performed in cooperation with each other, the process for each person or each program is expressed as a state transition of the work included in the matter, and the business process definition includes the matter relating to the work and rules for changing the state of the work. The workflow function stores the case and a plurality of states of the work included in one case, and changes these states based on the business process definition; Regarding the argument when calling the procedure to change the work state, the value of the argument that specifies the matter ID that identifies the matter that includes the work to change the state Then, using the value of the argument selected from among the arguments defined in the business processing interface definition among the arguments at the time of calling the application program, as the value of the argument specifying the work definition ID for identifying the work whose status is to be changed A method of generating an application framework, wherein a value of a work definition ID included in the business process definition is used. 5. A workflow function that is called from another program based on a business process interface definition including types and numbers of arguments and changes a business state based on a business process definition including a state change rule. An application framework generating apparatus for generating a basic processing program including a processing portion for calling a workflow function of an application program, wherein the basic processing program calls the workflow function as an argument value when the application program is called. Means for allowing the user to select an argument value from the arguments defined in the business process interface definition among the argument values, and for allowing the user to select an attribute value from the attributes included in the business process definition; At each step of the program Kicking application framework generating apparatus characterized by comprising means for setting said selected value as the value of the selected attribute of the argument as the value of the argument. 6. A workflow function that is called from another program based on a business process interface definition including the type and number of arguments, and changes a business state based on a business process definition including a state change rule. An application framework generating program for generating a basic processing program including a processing portion for calling a workflow function of the application program, wherein the basic processing program calls the workflow function as an argument value when the application program is called. Of allowing the user to select an argument value from the arguments defined in the business process interface definition, and allowing the user to select an attribute value from the attributes included in the business process definition; Each step Computer readable recording medium recording an application framework generator having a procedure for setting the values of the selected attributes of the selected parameter as the value of the argument in.