JP2001312400A - Automatic customized program generation service method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for easily and inexpensively providing a program suited to the job style of each of users without requiring complicated work requiring much time like a made-to-order system or a customizing package software. SOLUTION: The automatic customized program generation method comprises a step for presenting an input program for inputting a parameter for specifying job contents through a transmitting medium to the user, a step for receiving the inputted parameter specifying the job contents from the user through the transmitting medium, a step for automatically generating a customized program suited to the job contents specified on the basis of the received parameter, and a step for providing the automatically generated program through the transmitting medium to the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service method and a service system for automatically generating a customized program, and more particularly, to an open communication network represented by the Internet or a transmission line such as a dedicated line. The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a service for automatically generating a customized program for core business such as accounting management, sales management, and personnel management of a company.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It has been a long time since 196 to use a computer to process core business such as accounting management and sales management of a company.
It has been done since the 0s. Computer-based processing of a company's core business requires a program for that purpose, but the development of such a program typically requires software specialists to perform cumbersome tasks, time and money. Was needed. That is, first, the actual status of the work actually performed in each company is analyzed, the current situation is improved (system analysis), and then organized into a form that can be easily processed by a computer (system design). Expressing in a language that can be processed by (programming work)
To run the completed program on a computer to check whether it works as intended (debugging work), and to repeat the system design change and program correction work to complete the system construction. (The system constructed by the above procedure is hereinafter referred to as “custom-made system”). Building such a custom-made system requires a great deal of labor, time, and expense, and is a heavy burden on companies. Moreover, since system analysis and system design are performed using computer-specific concepts and terminology, there is a disadvantage that the contents of the system are not well understood by the important decision makers such as company managers.

[0003] Even in the case where a company has its own system development department and develops a system in-house, it is necessary to request a system development specialist company including a computer maker to develop a system suitable for the company. The same applies to the case where a system development specialist is requested.In addition to the complicated work described above, extra work such as presentation of estimates, delivery, acceptance, billing of expenses, and payment is required. Is added, the movement of people and money is required, and the work becomes more complicated.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned complication, in recent years,
What is called packaged software equipped with general functions common to the core business management of each company has come to be used, but since the equipped functions are versatile, conversely, individual Currently, it is not possible to meet the needs of companies, and it is used only by relatively small companies whose business contents are simple. Also, for companies that cannot be handled by package software, partially customized software called customizing package software is also used, but this is basically the same as the custom-made system described above. Ising, that is, the work of modifying existing software according to the user's individual circumstances, has the disadvantage of being expensive and time-consuming.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is complicated and time-consuming such as a custom-made system or customizing package software. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system that do not require any complicated work, and that can easily and inexpensively provide a program suitable for each user's business form.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising: a step of providing a user with an input program for inputting parameters for specifying business contents through a transmission medium; Receiving from a user via a transmission medium, automatically generating a customized program suitable for the identified business content based on the received parameters,
A method for automatically generating a customized program including a step of providing an automatically generated program to a user through a transmission medium, and information on available services and, if necessary, information on a fee system are provided through the transmission medium. Means for determining whether a service providing requester is a registered user or an unregistered person when a service providing request is received through a transmission medium, and transmitting an input program for inputting parameters for specifying business contents. Means for providing to the user through the medium, means for receiving the parameters for specifying the input business content from the user via the transmission medium, and automatic customization of programs customized to the specified business content based on the received parameters. Means for generating and automatically generated programs through transmission media Solves by providing a customized program automatic generation service system and means for providing to the user.

That is, the present invention provides a method and system for widely providing a related person with automatic generation of a customized program as a versatile service through a transmission medium such as an open communication network or a service line represented by the Internet. Is provided. The user simply inputs the parameters that specify the contents of the company's core business based on a parameter input program provided by the service provider called the generation center, for example, and sends the input result to the generation center via a transmission medium. ,
After that, it is sufficient to wait for the customized core business program to be sent from the generation center via the transmission medium. The parameter input program is a program for interactively inputting parameters that identify the substance of core business such as accounting management and sales management that are performed daily in the user's company. You only need to enter the details of the work you are doing as it is asked, there is no need to use computer or software jargon, no need to meet with experts, it is possible to customize Ordering of programs is possible. When inputting the business content to the parameter input program, it is needless to say that the business content to be improved may be reflected in addition to the current business content.

In the present invention, the generation center has a function of automatically generating a customized program based on the input result of the parameters transmitted from the user via the transmission medium. The function of automatically generating a customized program based on the input results of the parameters is realized by a program automatic generation device and a library of program components called a component library connected to the program automatic generation device. In the parts library, a large number of program parts having the function of generating a so-called source program in text format are accumulated, and necessary parts are selected from the parts library based on the input results of the parameters,
The required parameters are specified and combined, and then converted to automatically generate a computer-executable program. The generated program is customized based on the parameters sent from the user, and is provided to the user via a transmission medium by the generation center.

Further, according to the present invention, the usage fee is also automatically calculated based on the input result of the parameters sent to the generation center, and the calculation result is provided as an estimated amount in advance through a transmission medium as needed. This allows the user to determine the size and complexity of the ordering program while considering cost-effectiveness.
It is desirable that the usage fee be notified to the user in advance through a transmission medium as a fee system.

According to the present invention, the contents of the service and, if necessary, information on the fee system are widely provided to users through a transmission medium, for example, a homepage on the Internet. The user who knows can connect to a homepage on the Internet and know the service of the present invention from anywhere in the world.

[0011] The service method and system of the present invention include:
When a service provision request is received via a transmission medium such as the Internet, the service provision requester has a function to determine whether the service provision requester is a registered user or an unregistered user. If the service provision requester is a registered user To provide services and expand the number of registered users without manual intervention by notifying the service provision requester and, if the requester of the service provision is not a registered person, notifying the user how to become a registered user. be able to.

The business targeted by the present invention is mainly core business of a company such as accounting management, sales management and personnel management of a company. However, the business targeted by the present invention is not limited to the core business of these companies. Instead, it covers all tasks that need to be customized, including parts that cannot be covered with commercial package software.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a method and system for automatically generating a customized program according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a customized program automatic generation service system according to the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram in the case where the Internet is used as a transmission medium. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a generation center, which is an entity that provides an automatic program generation service. The generation center 1 is connected to a computer 2, an automatic program generation device 3 connected to the computer 2, and a connection to the automatic program generation device 3. It has a part library 4 that has been set. 5 is a WWW (World Wide Web) server,
It is connected to the computer 2 and to a transmission medium 6 such as the Internet. The connection between the WWW server 5 and the computer 2 may be a direct line connection as shown in the figure, or may be a connection via the transmission medium 6. Further, the WWW server 5 is connected to the generation center 1
May be managed, or may be managed by another provider or the like.

7a, 7b, 7c,... Are users of the customized program automatic generation service of the present invention, such as a business department of a company that develops and creates a program for its own use. Although it is an end user, it may be an off-consumer dealer or an SI company that builds and operates a system on behalf of the end user. The users 7a, 7b, 7c,... Know the existence of the customized program automatic generation service of the present invention through, for example, an advertisement and the customization provided by the generation center 1 via the WWW server 5 in order to know the details thereof. Connect to the homepage of the automatic program generation service. This home page provides information on the outline of the service, the types of business programs that can be ordered, the fee structure, and how to become a registered user.

A user 7 looking at the homepage and wishing to become a registered user of the program automatic generation service
.., 7b, 7c,... move to the registration page, enter necessary information on the application form on the page, and send it to the transmission medium 6.
The registration application is made by sending to the generation center 1 through. After examining the contents of the registration application sent, the generation center 1 provides the user who has received the registration application with a key such as an ID number and a password necessary for starting the use of the service, and the service starts. Is done. It is a matter of course that the registration application may be made by using an existing communication means such as mailing without using the transmission medium 6.

On the screen of the home page, there are buttons such as "start service". When the button is selected by clicking a mouse or the like, a key such as an ID number and a password necessary for starting use of the service such as a password is provided. Is displayed, and the user who could not present the necessary key there is shown a page on which information on how to become a registered user is provided. On the other hand, for the user who has been able to present the necessary keys, the provision of the customized program automatic generation service is started.

A registered user, for example, 7a can obtain detailed information on the types of business programs that can be ordered on the homepage, and can register business programs for which ordering is desired, for example, accounting management, sales management, personnel management, etc. It can be selected from the menu presented as a menu such as management. For example, accounting management may be able to select lower-level services such as salary management and financial management, and it is possible to select services that can be provided by type and by layer. By doing so, there is an advantage that the user can select the service he / she wants to use according to the scale he / she wants to use.
It is desirable that the service to be used is selected in advance on the menu screen on the homepage as described above, but it may be selected on a parameter input program described later.

When the registered user 7a designates the business for which the service is desired to be provided and presses the confirm button, a parameter input program corresponding to the desired business is provided to the user 7a.
Via the transmission medium 6. The parameter input program allows you to interactively input the parameters required to identify the business content,
As described below, parameters to be input later can be automatically selected based on parameters input earlier.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter input screen in an input program for an accounting management business, for example. In FIG. 2, a question (A-1) asking whether to perform head office accounting is given. Yes, below it "Yes""No"
There is a parameter input button to answer with. Here, for example, when “Yes” is selected as shown in FIG.
The "Main Branch Registration" button under "Registration of Head Office and Branch" in -2) is enabled, and processing functions related to main branch accounting are incorporated in a menu list.
The input screen for the necessary parameters associated with the head office / branch accounting is displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if "No" is selected on the screen of FIG. 2, the processing functions related to head office and branch accounting are removed from the menu list, and the processing required to create accounting books and financial statements on a company-wide basis. The function will be incorporated into the menu list, and the input screen for the necessary parameters will be displayed. As described above, in the parameter input program provided from the generation center 1 to the user 7a, parameters to be input later are sequentially changed based on the parameters input first, and furthermore, input is unnecessary. Since the changed parameter is not displayed on the input screen, the user only has to always answer the minimum required questions, and the parameter can be input efficiently. In addition, in the case of accounting management work, questions are given in terms related to accounting management, so that a user can input parameters without being bothered by technical terms of computers and software.

When the input of the parameters is completed, the user 7 a sends the input result to the generation center 1 via the transmission medium 6. When the computer 2 of the generation center 1 receives the input result of the transmitted parameters, it calculates the usage fee based on the input result, and transmits the result to the user 7a through the transmission medium 6 as the estimated amount. The calculation of the usage fee may be performed by the automatic program generation device 3.

The user 7a looks at the sent estimated amount and issues an ordering instruction if it is acceptable. If the estimated amount is high, the user 7a reduces the size of the program to be ordered, or If it is lower than the budget, parameters can be re-entered to add processing functions. As described above, according to the service of the present invention, the usage fee is automatically calculated and immediately fed back to the user. The function can be changed to an optimum level as appropriate.
Note that the estimated amount of money is presented in principle, but of course, it can be made not to be provided if the user does not wish. The instruction as to whether or not the user wants to present the estimated price can be included in the parameters input to the parameter input program.

After transmitting the estimated amount, the generation center 1 waits for a final ordering instruction from the user 7a and starts automatic generation of a program. That is, the computer 2 of the generation center 1 sends the input result of the received parameters to the program automatic generation device 3 and the program automatic generation device 3
Is based on the input results of the parameters
The necessary program parts are called from the parts library 4, the necessary parameters are designated for the program parts, the program parts are combined, the program parts are further developed into the used programming language, and then the computer program can be executed. Automatically generate a program. Since the automatically generated program is generated based on the input result of the parameter specifying the business content sent from the user, it is needless to say that the program is customized according to the needs of the user.

Here, the program parts used by the automatic program generation device 3 may be those made of a conventional object module, but are preferably source parts in a text format if possible. Source parts in text format are easy for humans to understand, and COBOL, VB, C ++, JAVA (registered trademark)
Since it can generate various native languages such as, there is a feature that it is excellent in versatility.

The automatically generated customized program executable by the computer is sent to the registered user 7a via the transmission medium 6, and the automatic program generation service ends. If necessary, the user may be automatically charged for the usage fee based on the automatically calculated usage fee. Depending on the length and complexity of the program, the time it takes to generate a computer-executable customized program and send it back to registered users after a final order from the user is usually , About 7 hours, and about 4 hours in the early case.

The storage of the program components in the component library 4 may be performed by the generation center 1 independently developing and creating the necessary program components, and sequentially registering and storing the program components. It is efficient to create and accumulate it, for example, by requesting an external program component creator different from 1. For example, in FIG.
8b, 8c,... Are external program component creators who have been registered in advance as program component creators through interviews, tests, document selection, etc., and have been provided with component development tools. The application and registration as a program component creator may of course be made via the transmission medium 6. In this case, the recruitment requirements of the program component creator may be entered on the homepage of the program automatic generation service, or It is desirable to post on a site linked to the homepage.

Program component creators 8a, 8b, 8c,
, Based on a common component development tool provided from the generation center 1 through, for example, the transmission medium 6, etc., based on an original idea, or development of a program component under a commission from the generation center 1, The created program parts are sent to the generation center 1 via the transmission medium 6, for example. Upon receiving the sent program parts, the computer 2 of the generation center 1 automatically determines whether or not the sender is a part creator registered as a part creator by requesting an ID number and a password. Then, the program component is confirmed to be sent from the registered component creator, and the sent program component is received.

The generation center 1 inspects the sent program parts to determine whether they are created based on the provided part development tool, whether they are necessary parts, whether there are any duplicate parts, and the like, and adopts the result. If the component can be used, the usage fee, the return rate to the creator, and the like are determined, and registered in the component library 4 together with information such as the function, usage method, and creator.

As described above, a common component development tool is created by a plurality of component creators 8a, 8b, 8c outside the generation center 1.
... and those parts creators 8a, 8b, 8
By having c, ... create program parts,
Many versatile program parts that can be used according to certain rules are created, and the parts library 4
Can be registered and stored. As the number of types of components registered in the component library 4 increases, the productivity of automatic program generation increases, and the types of tasks that can provide a user with automatic program generation services also increase.

The computer 2 of the generation center 1 counts the type and use frequency of the program component to be used for each program component creator based on the input result of the parameter received from the user, and is determined in advance. It also has a function to calculate the fee to be paid to each program component creator based on the fee table.

In the above description, the provision of necessary information and the transmission of input results of programs and parameters
Although all communication is performed through the Internet, the transmission medium as the communication means is not limited to the Internet, and may be another network or, of course, a dedicated line.

[0032]

As described above, according to the method and system for automatically generating a customized program according to the present invention, the user can create a program based on a parameter input program provided by a service provider called a generation center. Simply enter the parameters that specify the content of the business you want to create and send the input result to the production center via the transmission medium, and then wait for the customized program to be sent from the production center via the transmission medium. Just need. The parameter input program is a program for interactively inputting parameters that identify the substance of core business such as accounting management and sales management that are performed daily in the user's company. You only need to enter the details of the work you are doing as it is asked, there is no need to use computer or software jargon, no need to meet with experts, it is possible to customize Ordering and receiving programs is possible, and time and labor can be significantly reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the usage fee is also automatically calculated based on the input result of the parameters sent to the generation center, and the calculation result is provided in advance as an estimated amount through a transmission medium as needed. This allows the user to determine the size and complexity of the ordering program while considering cost-effectiveness. It is also possible to automatically charge the user for the usage fee.

Further, according to the present invention, information on the contents of the service and, if necessary, the fee system is widely provided to users through a transmission medium, for example, a homepage on the Internet. The user who knows the information can simply know the service of the present invention from anywhere in the world simply by connecting to the Internet homepage. In addition, the service method and system of the present invention have a function of determining whether a service providing requester is a registered user or an unregistered person when a service providing request is received through a transmission medium such as the Internet. If the requester of the service is a registered user, the service is started, and if the requester of the service is an unregistered person, the method of becoming a registered user is notified so that the service can be provided without human intervention. And increase the number of registered users.

As described above, according to the present invention, a complicated and time-consuming operation such as a custom-made system or customizing package software is not required, and a program suitable for the work form of each user can be provided simply and inexpensively. And the impact on the art is enormous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter input screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the parameter input screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 generation center 2 computer 3 automatic program generation device 4 parts library 5 WWW server 6 transmission medium 7a, 7b, 7c user 8a, 8b, 8c parts creator

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 504 G06F 17/60 504

Claims (7)

[Claims] A step of providing a user with an input program for inputting parameters for specifying business contents to a user via a transmission medium; a step of receiving parameters for specifying the input business contents from a user via a transmission medium; A method for automatically generating a customized program that includes a step of automatically generating a customized program suitable for the business content specified based on the information, and a step of providing the automatically generated program to a user through a transmission medium. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the user with an input program for inputting a parameter for specifying a task content through a transmission medium includes the step of: An input program corresponding to a task to be specified is automatically selected and supplied to the user, or an input program having parameters for specifying the type and / or hierarchy of the task in the input program is provided. Claim 1
The described customized program automatic generation service method. 3. The customized program automatic generation service method according to claim 1, wherein the input program automatically selects parameters to be input later based on the result of the input. 4. A step of automatically calculating a usage fee based on parameters received from a user, and using the calculated usage fee as an estimated amount through a transmission medium before executing automatic generation of a customized program. 4. The customized program automatic generation service method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of notifying the user and, if necessary, charging the calculated usage fee to the user. 5. A step of providing information on service contents and, if necessary, information on a fee system through a transmission medium, and when a service provision request is received through the transmission medium, the service provision requester registers and uses the service. Method of determining whether a user is a registered user or not, and if the requester is a registered user, starts providing the service, and if the requester is a non-registered user, becomes a registered user 5. The method for automatically generating a customized program according to claim 1, further comprising a step of notifying the user of the customized program. 6. The customized program automatic generation service method according to claim 1, wherein the business is a core business such as accounting management, sales management, and personnel management of a company. 7. A means for providing, via a transmission medium, the contents of available services and, if necessary, a charge system, and a service provision requester when a service provision request is received via the transmission medium. Means for determining whether a user is a registered user or an unregistered person, means for providing a user with an input program for inputting parameters for specifying business contents to a user via a transmission medium, and means for transmitting parameters for specifying the input business contents to a transmission medium Means for automatically generating a customized program suitable for the business content specified based on the received parameters, and means for providing the automatically generated program to the user through a transmission medium. Customized program automatic generation service system.