JP2021182233A - Assistance method, control program and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an assistance method for facilitating program development using visual programming, a control program and an apparatus.SOLUTION: An assistance method is to assist visual programming in a program development environment capable of developing a program which generates output data by applying processing to input data. The input data includes a plurality of input items. The output data includes a plurality of output items. In the program development environment, a program is developed by connecting the input items and the output items on a screen. The assistance method includes a step of displaying an image for a program developer to recognize candidates of connection relationship between the input items and the output items, on the basis of dimensions of the input items and dimensions of the output items.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to assistive methods, control programs and devices.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-366401 (Patent Document 1) discloses a data mart construction and operation support system. In this data mart construction and operation support system, the user generates a data mart creation program by using a template of a program structure prepared in advance. Therefore, according to this data mart construction and operation support system, the user can generate a data mart creation program in a short time (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-366401

In a program development environment that supports visual programming, a program is developed by connecting connection targets (for example, icons) on the screen. In such a program development environment, for example, an icon indicating a program element, a plurality of input items included in the input data to the program element, and a plurality of output items included in the output data of the program element are displayed on the screen. Will be done. For example, a program is developed by connecting an input item and an output item on a screen.

However, it is not always easy for a beginner of visual programming to establish a correct connection relationship between an input item and an output item to obtain a desired program. The means for solving such a problem is not disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary method, a control program and a device for facilitating program development by visual programming.

An auxiliary method according to a certain aspect of the present invention is an auxiliary method for visual programming in a program development environment in which a program that processes input data to generate output data can be developed. The input data includes a plurality of input items. The output data includes a plurality of output items. In the program development environment, a program is developed by connecting input items and output items on the screen. The auxiliary method is a step of displaying an image that causes the program developer to recognize a candidate for a connection relationship between an input item and an output item based on each dimension of a plurality of input items and each dimension of a plurality of output items. including.

When the connection relationship between the input item and the output item is established, the dimensions match between the input side and the output side. Because of such a premise, the connection relationship between the input item and the output item can be estimated based on the dimension of the input item and the dimension of the output item. In the auxiliary method according to the present invention, an image that causes a program developer to recognize a candidate for a connection relationship between an input item and an output item based on each dimension of a plurality of input items and each dimension of a plurality of output items. Is displayed. Therefore, the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item and the output item by referring to the displayed image, so that the program development can be performed more easily.

The auxiliary method further includes a step of comparing each dimension of the plurality of input items with each dimension of the plurality of output items, and the image may be displayed based on the comparison result.

The auxiliary method further includes a step of determining the strength of the dependency between the input item and the output item based on the comparison result, and different types of images may be displayed depending on the strength of the dependency. ..

In this auxiliary method, different types of images are displayed depending on the strength of the dependency between the input item and the output item. Therefore, the program developer can also know the strength of the dependency between the input item and the output item by referring to the displayed image, so that the program development can be performed more easily.

In the above auxiliary method, the image may be a line connecting an input item and an output item.

In the above auxiliary method, the program may be configured to execute an ETL (Extract / Transform / Load) process.

A control program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to perform an auxiliary operation of visual programming in a program development environment capable of developing a program that processes input data to generate output data. The input data includes a plurality of input items. The output data includes a plurality of output items. In the program development environment, a program is developed by connecting input items and output items on the screen. The control program is a step of displaying an image that causes the program developer to recognize a candidate for a connection relationship between an input item and an output item based on each dimension of a plurality of input items and each dimension of a plurality of output items. Let the computer run.

When this control program is executed by a computer, the program developer is provided with a candidate for the connection relationship between the input item and the output item based on each dimension of the plurality of input items and each dimension of the plurality of output items. The image to be recognized is displayed. Therefore, the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item and the output item by referring to the displayed image, so that the program development can be performed more easily.

A device according to another aspect of the present invention provides a program development environment capable of developing a program that processes input data to generate output data. The input data includes a plurality of input items. The output data includes a plurality of output items. In the program development environment, a program is developed by connecting input items and output items on the screen. The device includes a display unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the display unit. The control unit displays an image that makes the program developer recognize the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item and the output item based on each dimension of the plurality of input items and each dimension of the plurality of output items. Control the display unit.

In this device, an image is displayed to make the program developer recognize the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item and the output item based on each dimension of the plurality of input items and each dimension of the plurality of output items. NS. Therefore, the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item and the output item by referring to the displayed image, so that the program development can be performed more easily.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an auxiliary method, a control program and an apparatus that facilitate program development by visual programming.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of an apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of a device. It is a figure for demonstrating the dimension of a basic physical quantity. It is a figure for demonstrating the dimension of a physical quantity constructed by combining basic physical quantities. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a manufacturing-related dimension. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a program developed in a program development environment. It is a figure which shows an example of the input side metadata. It is a figure which shows an example of the output side metadata. It is a figure for demonstrating how the strength of the dependency between an input item and an output item is determined. It is a figure which shows the display image of the auxiliary image. It is a flowchart which shows the display procedure of an auxiliary image. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure in step S120 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure in step S130 of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated. Moreover, the present embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention in all respects. The present embodiment can be variously improved or modified within the scope of the present invention. That is, in carrying out the present invention, a specific configuration can be appropriately adopted according to the embodiment.

[1. Overview]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 is configured to provide a program development environment. In the device 100, a program is developed by visual programming.

The program developed in the apparatus 100 is, for example, a program that performs ETL (Extract / Transform / Load) processing on data (hereinafter, also referred to as “ETL program”). The ETL program is effectively utilized in the manufacturing field, for example. When the ETL program is executed, for example, data is read from an external device such as a production line, the read data is processed, and the processed data is provided to another external device.

The reasons why the ETL program is needed in the manufacturing field will be explained below. In the manufacturing field, data output from a manufacturing device, an inspection device, a sensor, or the like is collected. By utilizing the collected data, manufacturing quality can be confirmed, the cause of defects can be analyzed, equipment failure can be predicted, and the manufacturing process can be improved. On the other hand, the data output from the manufacturing device, inspection device, sensor, etc. is so-called raw data and may not be used as it is. For example, if the raw data contains a lot of unnecessary data, the data quality of the raw data is poor, the data format of the raw data does not match, or the physical quantity of the raw data is suitable for analysis or analysis. If it is not, the raw data cannot be used as it is. ETL programs are used to address these raw data problems. When the ETL program is executed, the raw data, which is the input data, is processed to generate usable output data. In the device 100, for example, such an ETL program is developed.

In the program development environment provided by the apparatus 100 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “program development environment”), a plurality of types of program elements are prepared in advance. Each of the plurality of types of program elements is configured to perform predetermined information processing. A desired program is developed by freely combining the icons associated with the program elements on the screen.

The device 100 includes a display unit 140 and a control unit 110. The display unit 140 is configured to display, for example, the screen 200. The control unit 110 is configured to control the display unit 140.

The screen 200 is, for example, an editing screen of processing contents in a program element configured to convert the input data 210 into the output data 220. The input data 210 includes a plurality of input items 211, and the output data 220 includes a plurality of output items 221. The program developer arranges a plurality of input items 211 and a plurality of output items 221 on the screen 200, and defines the processing in the program element by connecting the input item 211 and the output item 221 with a line 230.

For example, when the input item 211 and the output item 221 are simply connected, the value of the input item 211 becomes the value of the output item 221 of the connection destination. Further, when the input item 211 and the output item 221 are connected via a processing block such as the processing blocks X1-X4, the value of the input item 211 after processing in the processing block becomes the value of the output item 221 of the connection destination. ..

However, it is not always easy for a beginner in visual programming to correctly connect the input item 211 and the output item 221. In the device 100 according to the present embodiment, a function of making the program developer recognize the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is implemented. That is, in the apparatus 100, the program developer is provided with a candidate for a connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 based on each dimension of the plurality of input items 211 and each dimension of the plurality of output items 221. An image to be recognized (hereinafter, also referred to as an "auxiliary image") is displayed. The "dimension" will be described in detail later.

Since the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 by referring to the displayed auxiliary image, the program development can be performed more easily. Hereinafter, the apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

[2. Equipment hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device 100. In the present embodiment, the device 100 is realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer. In the example of FIG. 2, the device 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication I / F (interface) 130, a display unit 140, a reception unit 150, and a storage unit 120, and each configuration is via a bus. It is electrically connected.

The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, and the like, and is configured to control each component according to information processing. ..

The communication I / F 130 is configured to communicate with an external device such as a production line provided outside the device 100 via a network. The communication I / F 130 is composed of, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) module or a wireless LAN module.

The display unit 140 is configured to display the screen 200 (FIG. 1) and the like. The display unit 140 is composed of, for example, a monitor such as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor.

The reception unit 150 is configured to receive input from a user such as a program developer. The reception unit 150 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and a part or all of a microphone.

The storage unit 120 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage unit 120 is configured to store, for example, the ETL program DB 101 that manages a plurality of developed ETL programs and the control program 102.

The control unit 110 provides a program development environment, for example, by executing the control program 102. In this program development environment, at least an ETL program creation function and an ETL program execution function are realized. The ETL program creation function is a function that enables a program developer to create a new ETL program. The ETL program execution function is a function for executing the created ETL program.

As described above, in this program development environment, a function for assisting the development of the ETL program is implemented. That is, when the control unit 110 edits the processing content in the program element configured to convert the input data 210 (FIG. 1) into the output data 220, the control unit 110 has each dimension of the plurality of input items 211 and a plurality of outputs. The display unit 140 is controlled so as to display an image (auxiliary image) that causes the program developer to recognize a candidate for a connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 based on each dimension of the item 221. Next, the "dimension" will be described.

[3. dimension]
As the "dimension", for example, a "dimension" of a physical quantity and a "dimension" of a quantity in the manufacturing field can be considered. Here, the dimension of physical quantity will be described first, and then the dimension of quantity in the manufacturing field (hereinafter, also referred to as “manufacturing-related dimension”) will be described.

(3-1. Dimension of physical quantity)
Various physical quantities are composed by combining basic physical quantities such as time, length and weight. The dimension of a physical quantity is not a unit, but indicates what kind of basic combination of physical quantities the physical quantity is composed of.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the dimension of a basic physical quantity. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the dimension of "time" is represented by "T" and the dimension of "length" is represented by "L". Further, the dimension of "mass" is represented by "M", and the dimension of "current" is represented by "I". Further, the dimension of "thermodynamic temperature" is represented by "Θ", the dimension of "amount of substance" is represented by "N", and the dimension of "luminous intensity" is represented by "J".

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a dimension of a physical quantity configured by combining basic physical quantities. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, "area" and "volume" are a combination of "length" which is a basic physical quantity. The dimension of "area" is ^{represented by "L 2} " and the dimension of "volume" is represented by ^{"L 3".} Further, "velocity" and "acceleration" are a combination of "length" and "time" which are basic physical quantities. The dimension of "velocity" is ^{represented by "LT -1} " and the dimension of "acceleration" is represented by ^{"LT -2".}

In the mathematical formula showing the physical relationship, the dimensions of each side match. That is, even in the process of converting the input data 210 (FIG. 1) into the output data 220, the dimensions of the input side and the output side match. Due to such a premise, the connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is determined based on the dimension of the input item 211 included in the input data 210 and the dimension of the output item 221 included in the output data 220. Can be estimated.

(3-2. Manufacturing-related dimensions)
The manufacturing-related dimension indicates what kind of basic physical quantity combination is composed of various physical quantities and indicators related to production and manufacturing. Examples of the basic physical quantity in the manufacturing field include the number of products, the number of employees, the amount of money, etc., in addition to "time" and the like.

For example, the dimension of "number of production" is equal to the dimension of "quantity of products", and the dimension of "product cost" is equal to the dimension of "amount". The dimension of "manufacturing cost" is represented by the product of the dimension of "product cost" and the dimension of "number of products", and the dimension of "production manpower" is the dimension of "number of employees" and the dimension of "time". It is represented by the product of.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of manufacturing-related dimensions. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the dimension of "time" is represented by "T" and the dimension of "amount" is represented by "M". Further, the dimension of "number of products" is represented by "Q", and the dimension of "number of employees" is represented by "N".

For example, the "mobility rate" is calculated by dividing the actual working time by the time on the schedule. Each dimension of "actual working time" and "scheduled time" is represented by "T". Therefore, the dimension of "mobility" is represented by ^{"TT -1".} Further, "performance" is calculated by dividing the actual efficiency (number / hour) by the standard efficiency (number / hour). Each dimension of "actual efficiency" and "standard efficiency" is represented by ^{"QT -1".} Therefore, the dimension of "performance" is represented by ^{"QTQ -1} T ^-1". In addition, "quality" is calculated by dividing the number of non-defective products by the number of starting productions. Each dimension of "number of non-defective products" and "number of starting productions" is represented by "Q". Therefore, the dimension of "quality" is represented by ^{"QQ -1".}

In addition, "total equipment effectiveness" is calculated by multiplying the mobility, performance and quality. The dimensions of mobility, performance and quality are as described above. Therefore, the dimension of "total equipment effectiveness" is represented by "(TT ^-1 ) (QTQ ^-1 T ^-1 ) (QQ ^-1 )".

In each of "movability", "performance", "quality" and "overall equipment effectiveness", the dimensions cancel each other out and become dimensionless. However, in this embodiment, each manufacturing-related dimension is defined in the state before cancellation. That is, the dimension of mobility ^{is defined as "TT -1} " and the dimension of performance is defined as "QTQ ^-1 T ^-1 ". The quality dimension is ^{defined by "QQ -1} ", and the "total equipment effectiveness" dimension is defined by "(TT ^-1 ) (QTQ ^-1 T ^-1 ) (QQ ^-1 )". This is to leave the dimensional information of each parameter necessary for obtaining the quantity in the manufacturing field. Next, an example of the operation in the apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[4. Example of auxiliary operation in program creation]
(4-1. Program example)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a program developed in the program development environment provided by the apparatus 100. With reference to FIG. 6, in this example, program 240 is developed. The program 240 is a program that reads the input data 210 indicating the inspection result of the product from the production line and processes the read input data 210 to generate the output data 220. The input data 210 includes a plurality of input items 211, and the output data 220 includes a plurality of output items 221.

Program 240 includes program elements PE1-PE3. The program element PE1 is configured to execute a process of reading the input data 210. The program element PE2 is configured to process the read input data 210 and execute a process of generating output data 220 used for state analysis of the production line. The program element PE3 is configured to execute a process of writing the generated output data 220.

In the program element PE2, what kind of processing is applied to the value of each input item 211 included in the input data 210, and which output item 221 the value after processing is set to is defined. Specifically, in the program element PE2, the processing content is defined by connecting the input item 211 and the output item 221 with a wire 230 or the like. In the apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, in order to facilitate program development, an image (auxiliary image) showing a candidate for a connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 when editing the processing content in the program element PE2 or the like. Is displayed. The auxiliary image will be described in detail later. The auxiliary image is displayed based on the comparison result between each dimension of the plurality of input items 211 and each dimension of the plurality of output items 221. In the apparatus 100, the dimension of each input item 211 is recognized by referring to the input side metadata 215, and the dimension of each output item 221 is recognized by referring to the output side metadata 225. Next, the input side metadata 215 and the output side metadata 225 will be described.

(4-2. Example of metadata of input data and output data)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of input-side metadata 215. As shown in FIG. 7, the input-side metadata 215 contains dimensional information of each input item 211 included in the input data 210. The input-side metadata 215 is stored in advance in, for example, a production line or the like. The device 100 receives the input side metadata 215 from the production line or the like via, for example, the communication I / F 130.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of output-side metadata 225. As shown in FIG. 8, the output-side metadata 225 contains dimensional information of each output item 221 included in the output data 220. The output side metadata 225 is generated by the program developer. That is, the program developer determines what kind of output item 221 is included in the output data 220 when the program 240 is developed. At that time, the program developer defines the dimension of each output item 221 by generating the output side metadata 225. The generated output-side metadata 225 is stored, for example, in the storage unit 120.

(4-3. Dependency determination method between input items and output items)
In the device 100, an auxiliary image corresponding to the strength of the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is displayed. The strength of the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is determined by comparing the dimension of the input item 211 with the dimension of the output item 221.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining how the strength of the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is determined. As shown in FIG. 9, when the dimension of the input item 211 and the dimension of the output item 221 are the same, the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is determined to be “strong”. Further, when the dimension of the input item 211 and the dimension of the output item 221 partially match, the dependency relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is determined to be "slightly strong". Further, when the dimension of the input item 211 and the dimension of the output item 221 do not partially match, the dependency relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is determined to be "weak".

(4-4. Display example)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display image of the auxiliary image. With reference to FIG. 10, each line 230 displayed between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is an auxiliary image in the present embodiment. The auxiliary image is displayed before the program developer connects the input item 211 and the output item 221 with the line 230. Therefore, the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 by referring to the displayed auxiliary image, so that the program development can be performed more easily.

In the device 100, for example, different types of auxiliary images are displayed depending on the strength of the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221. For example, when the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is "strong", an auxiliary image showing a solid line is displayed between the input item 211 and the output item 221, and the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is displayed. When the relationship is "slightly strong", an auxiliary image showing a dark dotted line is displayed between the input item 211 and the output item 221. When the dependency relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is "weak", the input item is displayed. An auxiliary image showing a thin dotted line is displayed between 211 and the output item 221. Therefore, the program developer can know the strength of the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 by referring to a plurality of auxiliary images of different types to be displayed, so that the program development can be performed more easily. Can be done.

[5. Device operation]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying an auxiliary image. The processing shown in this flowchart may be executed, for example, when an instruction to display an auxiliary image is received from the program developer, or is automatically executed when the processing content in the program element for converting the input data 210 to the output data 220 is edited. May be executed.

With reference to FIG. 11, the control unit 110 extracts the dimension of each input item 211 by referring to the input side metadata 215 acquired from an external device such as a production line (step S100). The control unit 110 extracts the dimension of each output item 221 by referring to the output side metadata 225 stored in the storage unit 120 or the like (step S110). The control unit 110 executes a process of comparing the dimension of each input item 211 with the dimension of each output item 221 (step S120).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in step S120 of FIG. With reference to FIG. 12, the control unit 110 extracts the input item 211 whose comparison has not been completed (step S200). The control unit 110 compares the dimension of the extracted input item 211 with the dimension of the output item 221 whose comparison is not completed (step S210). The control unit 110 stores the comparison result in the storage unit 120 (step S220).

The control unit 110 determines whether or not the comparison between the input item 211 extracted in step S200 and all the output items 221 is completed (step S230). If it is determined that the comparison is not completed (NO in step S230), the control unit 110 repeats the process of steps S210-S230 again.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the comparison is completed (YES in step S230), the control unit 110 determines whether or not the comparison is completed for all the input items 211 (step S240). When it is determined that the comparison has not been completed for all the input items 211 (NO in step S240), the control unit 110 repeats the process of steps S200-S240 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the comparison is completed for all the input items 211 (YES in step S240), the process shown in FIG. 12 is completed.

With reference to FIG. 11 again, the control unit 110 executes a process of determining the strength of the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 based on the dimensional comparison result (step S130).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in step S130 of FIG. With reference to FIG. 13, the control unit 110 extracts any of the comparison results stored in the storage unit 120 (step S300). The control unit 110 determines whether or not the input item 211 and the output item 221 have the same dimension based on the extracted comparison result (step S310). When it is determined that the dimensions are the same (YES in step S310), the control unit 110 determines that the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is "strong" (step S320). Each determination result is stored in the storage unit 120.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the dimensions are not the same (NO in step S310), the control unit 110 determines whether or not the dimensions of the input item 211 and the output item 221 partially match (step S330). .. When it is determined that the dimensions partially match (YES in step S330), the control unit 110 determines that the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is "slightly strong" (step S340).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the dimensions do not match even partially (NO in step S330), the control unit 110 determines that the dependency between the input item 211 and the output item 221 is "weak" (step S350). With respect to all the comparison results stored in the storage unit 120 through the process shown in FIG. 11, the process shown in FIG. 13 is executed.

With reference to FIG. 11 again, the control unit 110 displays the line 230 according to the strength of the dependency determined in step S130 between each input item 211 and each output item 221. Control 140 (step S140). Since the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 by referring to each displayed line 230, the program developer can easily develop the program.

[6. feature]
As described above, in the apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the input item 211 and the output item 221 are connected based on each dimension of the plurality of input items 211 and each dimension of the plurality of output items 221. An auxiliary image (line 230) that causes the program developer to recognize the related candidates is displayed. Therefore, the program developer can know the candidate of the connection relationship between the input item 211 and the output item 221 by referring to the displayed auxiliary image (line 230), so that the program development can be performed more easily. can.

[7. Modification example]
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the input data 210 does not necessarily have to be obtained from the production line. Further, the program 240 developed in the program development environment is not limited to the ETL program. Also, the auxiliary image does not necessarily have to be line 230. For example, a message indicating a connection-related candidate may be displayed on the screen 200.

100 devices, 101 ETL program DB, 102 control program, 110 control unit, 111 CPU, 112 RAM, 113 ROM, 120 storage unit, 130 communication I / F, 140 display unit, 150 reception unit, 200 screens, 210 input data, 211 input items, 215 input side metadata, 220 output data, 221 output items, 225 output side metadata, 230 lines, 240 programs, PE1, PE2, PE3 program elements, X1, X2, X3, X4 processing blocks.

Claims (7)

It is an auxiliary method of visual programming in a program development environment where it is possible to develop a program that processes input data and generates output data.
The input data includes a plurality of input items.
The output data includes a plurality of output items.
In the program development environment, the program is developed by connecting the input item and the output item on the screen.
The auxiliary method causes the program developer to recognize a candidate for a connection relationship between the input item and the output item based on each dimension of the plurality of input items and each dimension of the plurality of output items. Auxiliary methods, including steps to display images. Further including a step of comparing each dimension of the plurality of input items with each dimension of the plurality of output items.
The auxiliary method according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed based on the comparison result. Further including a step of determining the strength of the dependency between the input item and the output item based on the comparison result.
The auxiliary method according to claim 2, wherein different types of the images are displayed depending on the strength of the dependency. The auxiliary method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image is a line connecting the input item and the output item. The auxiliary method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the program is configured to execute an ETL (Extract / Transform / Load) process. It is a control program that causes a computer to execute auxiliary operations of visual programming in a program development environment that can develop a program that processes input data and generates output data.
The input data includes a plurality of input items.
The output data includes a plurality of output items.
In the program development environment, the program is developed by connecting the input item and the output item on the screen.
The control program causes the program developer to recognize a candidate for a connection relationship between the input item and the output item based on each dimension of the plurality of input items and each dimension of the plurality of output items. A control program that causes the computer to perform a step of displaying an image. A device that provides a program development environment that can develop programs that process input data and generate output data.
The input data includes a plurality of input items.
The output data includes a plurality of output items.
In the program development environment, the program is developed by connecting the input item and the output item on the screen.
The device is
Display and
A control unit configured to control the display unit is provided.
The control unit causes the program developer to recognize candidates for a connection relationship between the input item and the output item based on each dimension of the plurality of input items and each dimension of the plurality of output items. A device that controls the display unit so as to display an image.

Images