JP4714199B2 - Application development support apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an application development support apparatus and program, and in particular, an application development support apparatus that supports development of an application program performed using a plurality of types of tools, and a function for causing a computer to function as the application development support apparatus. It relates to an application development support program.

  Recently, BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) has become widespread as a standard (language) that can describe a business process as a workflow. Regarding BPEL, a desired workflow can be visually described by selecting and combining desired parts from multiple types of parts corresponding to different processes, and compliant with BPEL from the created workflow A tool capable of automatically generating the program is prepared, and an execution environment in which the computer automatically generates the program automatically generated by the tool can be constructed. For this reason, by using the above tools, it is possible to easily and quickly develop a program for realizing a desired workflow (business process) by a computer without performing coding work that requires knowledge of a programming language. Can do.

  On the other hand, JSF (Java (registered trademark) Server Faces) is known as a standard for constructing a user interface for a web application. With regard to this JSF, user interface screen design and user interface screen transitions can be made by performing operations such as selecting and arranging desired symbols from a plurality of types of symbols that can be used as components of the user interface screen. A tool that can construct a user interface such as a definition and can automatically generate a program that realizes the constructed user interface is prepared, and a program that realizes a desired user interface by using this tool Can be obtained easily and in a short time without coding work. Therefore, when developing an application, a user interface program of the application is automatically generated using a JSF tool, and a workflow program is automatically generated using a BPEL tool. It is expected that the development period can be significantly shortened by eliminating the need for any coding work.

  However, the JSF standard does not consider linking a program automatically generated using JSF (a program realizing a user interface) with a program automatically generated using BPEL (a program realizing a workflow) ( Processing for calling other programs is not defined as a standard), for example, in a state where a user interface screen is displayed on a display (a program automatically generated using JSF is executed), When a specific workflow is realized when a predetermined operation is performed through the network (when a specific program that realizes a specific workflow automatically generated using BPEL is started and executed), the predetermined operation is performed. Triggered a specific program While, it is necessary to create separate by coding work programs for performing processing to deliver as an argument an input information or the like to the specific program. Therefore, even if the user interface program is automatically generated using the JSF tool and the workflow program is automatically generated using the BPEL tool in the application to be developed, the coding work is ultimately reduced. It was difficult to greatly shorten the development period because it was necessary.

In relation to the above, Patent Document 1 discloses that an application server having a first virtual machine that interfaces with a client and a second virtual machine that executes various business objects stores data necessary for processing business objects. An identification name is stored for each business object, and the first virtual machine displays an arbitrary screen on the client and inputs an arbitrary data, receives a request including form data, and responds to the received request. When the business object is called, the identification name of each data required by the business object to be called is acquired, and only the data whose identification name matches the acquired identification name among the data included in the form data is the second Necessary on the second virtual machine side by transferring to the virtual machine Coding and unnecessary technology for processing to extract over data is disclosed.
JP 2006-268121 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the standard that the first virtual machine conforms to is a standard that does not define a process for calling another program, such as the JSF standard described above. In developing a program that operates on the first virtual machine side, it is necessary to perform coding work in order to perform processing for calling a program that operates on the second virtual machine side. If the development of a program requires some coding work, the development staff is limited to those who have knowledge of the programming language, and debugging work is also required for programs created by coding work. Therefore, there is a problem that the development period is significantly prolonged compared to the case where coding work can be omitted.

  Moreover, when the technology described in Patent Document 1 calls a business object corresponding to a received request, among the data included in the form data, the data whose identification name matches the data required by the calling business object. Since the process of searching and extracting is performed, there is a problem that it takes time to execute the program, and there is room for improvement.

  Further, according to the JSF standard described above, each managed text field (text entry field and text display field) arranged in the designed user interface screen has a storage area for a plurality of variables. It is possible to associate (bind) with any storage area in the variable storage area called, and the bound text field and storage area are synchronized at the time of program execution (in detail, The data input in the text input field is stored in the storage area bound to the text input field, and the data stored in the storage area is displayed in the text display field bound to the storage area). Therefore, when the first program of the user interface part automatically generated using the JSF tool and the second program of the workflow part automatically generated using the BPEL tool are linked, the second program can be executed. A variable storage area (managed bean) provided with a storage area corresponding to an input variable and an output variable in each process, with each of a plurality of types of processing as a unit, and the first program via the variable storage area It is conceivable to exchange data between the program and the second program.

  However, in the JSF standard, the number of storage areas that can be associated with a single text field is limited to one. Therefore, for example, displaying the output variable of the first process performed by the second program in the specific text field in the user interface screen means that the storage area corresponding to the output variable of the first process is associated with the specific text field. Although it can be realized by performing the process of storing the output variable of the first process in the corresponding storage area, the data displayed in the specific text field (the output variable of the first process) is used as necessary. The change setting by the user, and using the changed data as necessary as an input variable of the second process by the second program means that the specific text field is stored corresponding to the output variable of the first process. In addition to the area, since it is necessary to associate with the storage area corresponding to the input variable of the second process, it cannot be realized.

  As described above, when the first program that realizes the user interface according to the first standard and the second program that realizes the workflow according to the second standard are linked, the first standard that the first program conforms to In addition, when there is a limit to the number of variable storage areas that can be associated with individual information input / display fields in the user interface screen, there is a problem that the user interface that can be constructed is restricted. In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the above matters at all.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts. In developing an application program including a first program that can be generated by the first tool and a second program that can be generated by the second tool, the first program It is an object to obtain an application development support apparatus and an application development support program that can omit coding work for creating a program that calls a second program from the program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an application development support apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 includes an information input / display field that can be used as a component of a user interface screen and at least one of information input and display is possible. A first operation of designing a user interface screen by causing a developer to display a plurality of types of symbols on a display screen and arranging a desired symbol of the plurality of types of symbols at a desired position in the screen; A second operation for associating each information input / display field arranged in the designed user interface screen with a corresponding variable storage area among a plurality of variables having a storage area in the variable storage area; and The third operation that defines the transition of the designed user interface screens is performed, so that the user interface to be constructed is When a developer creates a first tool for generating a first program for realizing the user interface and a flowchart defining a desired process, the created flowchart is An application development support apparatus for supporting development of an application program including the first program and the second program, which is performed by using a second tool for generating a second program for executing processing to be represented, M (m ≧ n) executable by the n types of the second programs generated using the second tool before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. Based on the variable definition information that defines the input variable and output variable in each type of processing, the variable definition information is defined as the variable storage area. A variable storage area generating means for generating a variable storage area in which a storage area for each defined variable is provided and a variable storage area defined in duplicate in the variable definition information is shared; Before the first to third operations are performed on the tool, a symbol usable as a component of the user interface screen is called to call any one of the n types of the second programs. Symbol generation means for generating m kinds of activation symbols for performing different processes from among the m kinds of processes, and the m kinds generated by the symbol generation means displayed in the user interface screen When a specific activation symbol is selected from among the activation symbols, the specific activation symbol among the storage areas in the variable storage area is selected. Starting a specific second program capable of executing the corresponding process among the n types of the second programs, using as an argument the data stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the input variable in the process corresponding to When the corresponding second program is executed and the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, the output variable delivered from the specific second program is stored in each storage area in the variable storage area. Generating a third program for performing processing for storing in a storage area of a variable corresponding to the delivered output variable, and adding the generated third program to the specific activation symbol. And a program adding means for each of the symbols.

  2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first tool displays a plurality of types of symbols including an information input / display field capable of at least one of inputting and displaying information, which can be used as a component of the user interface screen. The first operation for designing a user interface screen by placing a desired symbol of a plurality of types of symbols at a desired position in the screen by the developer, and placing it in the designed user interface screen A second operation for associating each individual information input / display field with a corresponding variable storage area among a plurality of variables having a storage area in the variable storage area, and a plurality of designed user interface screens When the user interface to be constructed is defined by performing the third operation that defines the transition of the user interface, the user interface Generating a first program for realizing the over scan. In addition, when the developer creates a flowchart that defines a desired process, the second tool generates a second program for executing the process represented by the created flowchart. As described in claim 4, a tool compliant with the first standard can be applied as the first tool, and a tool compliant with the second standard can be applied as the second tool. For example, as described in claim 5, JSF can be applied as the first standard and BPEL can be applied as the second standard.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the first program generated by the first tool is, for example, a predetermined program that functions as a platform for executing the first program as described in the third aspect. Specific information input that is executed on the computer that is being executed and can be input by the predetermined program arranged in the user interface screen displayed in the display screen when the first program is executed by the computer / When information is newly input in the display field, the input information is stored in a specific storage area associated with the specific information input / display field among the storage areas in the variable storage area. When information is newly stored in a specific storage area in the variable storage area, the stored information is displayed on the display screen. That program synchronization processing of displaying to a user interface disposed within the screen associated with a particular storage area and the specific information input / display space capable of displaying information is are preferred.

  Here, the application development support apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention supports development of an application program including the first program and the second program, which is performed using the first tool and the second tool. The variable storage area generation means is executed by n types of second programs generated using the second tool before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. Based on variable definition information that defines input variables and output variables in m (m ≧ n) types of processing that can be performed, a storage area for each variable defined in the variable definition information is provided as a variable storage area. In addition, a variable storage area is created in which the storage areas of the variables defined in the variable definition information are made common. As a result, the variable definition information includes the variable defined in the variable definition information and includes one storage area corresponding to the variable defined in the variable definition information (common to the execution of m types of processes). A variable storage area to be used) is generated.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the symbol generating means includes n types of symbols that can be used as components of the user interface screen before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. Each of the second programs is called to generate m kinds of activation symbols for performing different processes among the m kinds of processes, and the program addition means is displayed on the user interface screen. When a specific activation symbol is selected from the m types of activation symbols generated by the symbol generation means, the input variable in the process corresponding to the specific activation symbol in each storage area in the variable storage area The corresponding processing among the n types of the second programs is performed using the data stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to A specific second program that can be executed is started to execute the corresponding process, and when the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, the output variable delivered from the specific second program is Generating a third program for performing processing for storing in a storage area of a variable corresponding to the delivered output variable among the storage areas in the variable storage area, and adding the generated third program to a specific activation symbol; Is performed for each of m types of activation symbols.

  Thus, when the developer performs the first to third operations using the first tool to specify the user interface to be constructed, m types of activations generated by the symbol generation unit The symbol is also displayed on the display screen as a symbol that can be used as a component of the user interface screen by the first tool. By performing the first operation, a desired activation symbol (m It is possible to arrange a startup symbol corresponding to a process desired to be executed among the types of processes in the user interface screen under design. When the user selects the activation symbol while the user interface screen is displayed, the third program attached to the activation symbol is executed, and each storage area in the variable storage area is executed. Among these, the data corresponding to the input variable in the process corresponding to the startup symbol is used as an argument to start a specific second program that can execute the corresponding process and execute the corresponding process. And when the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, the output variable delivered from the specific second program is used as the output variable delivered among the storage areas in the variable storage area. Is stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool, the third program for calling the second program from the first program by the program adding means is provided. In the development of the application program including the first program that can be generated by the first tool and the second program that can be generated by the second tool, the second program is generated from the first program. The coding work for creating a program that calls can be omitted. In addition, the developer only needs to perform a first operation to place the activation symbol displayed on the display screen by the first tool at a desired position in the screen, and a user interface screen that can activate the second program is displayed. Since it can be designed, it is possible to shorten the time required for the work to specify the user interface to be built, and thus the development period of the application program, in combination with the necessity of performing the above coding work. It becomes.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the third program generated by the program adding means before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool is displayed in the user interface screen. When a specific activation symbol is selected, out of each storage area in the variable storage area, the data stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the input variable in the process corresponding to the specific activation symbol is used as an argument. When a specific second program capable of executing the corresponding process is started from the n types of second programs to execute the corresponding process, and the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, The output variable delivered from the specific second program is a variable corresponding to the delivered output variable in each storage area in the variable storage area. A program for performing processing to be stored in the storage area, and a storage area to be processed in the processing by the third program (a storage area in which stored data is used as an argument or a stored output variable is stored) is a third program It is set when generating. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no need to perform processing for searching / extracting the storage area to be processed when the third program is executed, so that the processing time when the third program is executed can be shortened. it can.

  Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 1, the variable storage area generating means is provided with a storage area for each variable defined in the variable definition information, and a storage area for the variable defined in the variable definition information is provided. Since the common variable storage area is generated, for example, the output variable of the first process executed by the second program is displayed in the specific information input / display field in the user interface screen, and the specific information is displayed. A specific information input / display field in which change setting is performed by the user as necessary for the data (output variable of the first process) displayed in the input / display field, and the change setting is performed as necessary. When building a user interface that uses the data in it as an input variable for the second process by the second program, it is necessary to associate it with the specific information input / display field. The number of storage areas of a few storage region requires only one. As a result, for example, as described in claim 2, in the first tool, the number of storage areas in the variable storage area that can be associated with each information input / display field is limited to one each. Even in this case, the user interface as described above can be constructed, and the degree of freedom in designing the user interface realized by the first program can be improved.

  The application development support program according to the invention of claim 6 is capable of using a computer as a component of a user interface screen, and a plurality of types of symbols including an information input / display field capable of at least one of information input and display Is displayed on the display screen, and the developer arranges a desired symbol of the plurality of types of symbols at a desired position in the screen to design a user interface screen. A second operation for associating each information input / display field arranged in the screen with a corresponding variable storage area among a plurality of variables provided with a storage area in the variable storage area; The third interface that defines the transition of the user interface screen of If a developer creates a first tool that generates a first program for realizing the user interface and a flowchart that defines a desired process, the created flowchart represents To function as an application development support apparatus that supports development of an application program including the first program and the second program, which is performed using a second tool that generates a second program for executing processing. An application development support program, wherein the computer causes the n types of the first types generated using the second tool before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. Each of input variables and output variables in m (m ≧ n) types of processing that can be executed by two programs Based on the variable definition information to be defined, a storage area for each variable defined in the variable definition information is provided as the variable storage area, and a variable storage area defined in duplicate in the variable definition information is common. Variable storage area generation means for generating a variable storage area, and symbols that can be used as components of the user interface screen before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. A symbol generating means for generating each of m types of symbols for calling one of the n types of the second programs and performing different processing among the m types of processing, and a user interface screen A specific activation symbol is selected from the m types of activation symbols generated by the symbol generation means. The n types of the storage areas in the variable storage area using the data stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the input variable in the process corresponding to the specific activation symbol as an argument. When starting the specific second program capable of executing the corresponding process in the second program and executing the corresponding process, and when the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, Generating a third program for performing processing for storing the output variable delivered from the specific second program in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the delivered output variable among the storage areas in the variable storage area; Program adding means for adding the generated third program to the specific activation symbol for each of the m types of activation symbols; It is characterized in that to function Te.

  The application development support program according to the invention described in claim 6 is a program for causing a computer to function as the variable storage area generating means, the symbol generating means, and the program adding means. By executing the application development support program according to the above, the computer functions as the application development support apparatus according to claim 1, and, similar to the invention according to claim 1, the computer can be generated by the first tool. In the development of an application program including one program and a second program that can be generated by the second tool, a coding operation for creating a program that calls the second program from the first program can be omitted.

  As described above, the present invention is created by the developer before the user interface to be constructed is defined by the developer and the first program for realizing the user interface is generated by the first tool. Based on variable definition information that defines input variables and output variables in m (m ≧ n) types of processing executable by n types of second programs generated by the second tool based on the flowchart, the variable definition information A storage area for each variable defined in is provided, and a variable storage area with a common variable storage area defined in the variable definition information can be generated and used as a component of the user interface screen. As a simple symbol, one of the n types of second programs is called and M types of activation symbols are generated to perform the following process, and when a specific activation symbol displayed in the user interface screen is selected, it corresponds to the input variable in the processing corresponding to the specific activation symbol Using the data stored in the storage area of the variable to be executed as an argument, the specific second program capable of executing the corresponding processing is started to execute the corresponding processing, and the corresponding second program is executed by the specific second program When the execution of the process is completed, a third program for generating a process for storing the output variable delivered from the specific second program in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the output variable is generated, and the generated third program is specified. Since the addition to the activation symbol is performed for each of the m types of activation symbols, the first symbol that can be generated by the first tool is used. In the development of an application program including one program and a second program that can be generated by the second tool, the present invention has an excellent effect that the coding work for creating a program that calls the second program from the first program can be omitted.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first computer system 10 according to this embodiment. The first computer system 10 according to the present embodiment is a computer used when developing an application program for providing a predetermined service (web service) to a user who accesses a predetermined website. A system, in which a server computer 12 is connected to each of a large number of client terminals 16 via an intranet 14. Each client terminal 16 is a terminal operated by a developer who develops the above-described application program. For example, the client terminal 16 includes a personal computer (PC) and the like. ) And the like, and a network interface (I / F) unit 16D. Each client terminal 16 is connected to a display 18 as display means, a keyboard 20 and mouse 22 as input means, and is connected to the intranet 14 via a network I / F unit 16D.

  In addition, the application program described above is for providing a predetermined web service to a user and a screen control program (first program in the present invention) for realizing a user interface (UI) portion in a predetermined website. Web service providing programs (second program in the present invention). The storage unit 16C of the client terminal 16 is installed with a UI construction tool program for developing the screen control program and a web service creation tool program for developing the web service providing program. Further, a button generation program for performing button generation processing described later on the client terminal 16 is also installed. This button generation program corresponds to the application development support program according to claim 6, and the client terminal 16 functions as an application development support device according to the present invention by the CPU 16 </ b> A executing the button generation program. .

  The UI construction tool corresponds to the first tool according to the present invention, and the web service creation tool corresponds to the second tool according to the present invention. As the UI construction tool, a tool conforming to the standard of JSF (Java (registered trademark) Server Faces) is suitable, but a tool conforming to another standard may be used. Further, as the web service creation tool, a tool compliant with the BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) standard is suitable, but a tool compliant with another standard may be used.

  On the other hand, the server computer 12 includes a CPU 12A, a memory 12B including a RAM, a storage unit 12C including an HDD, and a network I / F unit 12D, and is connected to the intranet 14 via the network I / F unit 12D. ing. In the development of a web service providing program using the web service creation tool described above, a program is developed in units of individual web services (for example, “book search” and “book purchase” described later). The web service providing program can also be used to provide the same web service on other websites. Therefore, the storage unit 12C of the server computer 12 stores a web service library for registering the developed web service providing program. The web service providing program registered in the web service library is stored in the storage unit 12C. A plurality of developers operating different client terminals 16 can be used.

  Next, the configuration of the second computer system 30 as an execution environment of the application program developed by the first computer system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The second computer system 30 includes a website management system 32 for operating a specific website. The website management system 32 includes an application server 34, a web service providing server 36, and a DB (database) server 38. The web service providing server 36 and the DB server 38 are connected to the application server 34 via communication lines, respectively. Configured.

  The application server 34 includes a CPU 34A, a memory 34B including a RAM, a storage unit 34C including an HDD, and a network I / F unit 34D. The storage unit 34C includes the first computer system described above. The above-described screen control program is installed among the application programs developed using 10. The network I / F unit 34D of the application server 34 is connected to a computer network (Internet) 40 in which a large number of web servers are connected to each other via a communication line. The Internet 40 includes a CPU 42A, A memory 42B composed of a RAM or the like, a storage unit 42C composed of an HDD or the like, and a network I / F unit 42D. A browser (web browsing software) program is installed in the storage unit 34C, and a display 44 as a display means, A large number of client terminals 42 to which a keyboard 46 and a mouse 48 as input means are respectively connected are connected.

  The web service providing server 36 includes a CPU 36A, a memory 36B including a RAM, a storage unit 36C including an HDD, and a network I / F unit 36D. The HDD 36C includes the first computer system described above. The above-described web service providing program is installed among the application programs developed using 10.

  Next, as an operation of this embodiment, first, development of a web service providing program performed using a web service creation tool will be described. When a developer starts a web service creation tool program on the client terminal 16 in order to develop a web service providing program, a creation screen as shown in FIG. 2A is displayed on the display 18 of the client terminal 16 as an example. Is displayed. The web service creation tool has a function of generating a web service providing program for executing the process represented by the created flowchart when the flowchart defining the process for realizing the web service to be provided is created by the developer. The creation screen shown in FIG. 2A includes a work area for developers to create flowcharts and multiple types of parts (symbols) that can be used to create flowcharts and represent different processes. A displayed palette is provided.

  When the creation screen is displayed, the developer selects a desired part from a plurality of parts displayed in the pallet via the mouse 22 or the keyboard 20 and places it in the work area. Correspondingly, input information specifying the contents of the process represented by the arranged parts, and an operation for defining the connection relation (execution order of the process represented by each part) between the arranged parts and the parts already arranged in the work area. By repeating, as shown in FIG. 2B as an example, a flowchart defining a process for realizing the Web service to be provided is created. When the creation of the flowchart is completed, the developer performs an operation for instructing generation of a program corresponding to the created flowchart. A program for realizing the processing represented by each part is added to each part displayed in the pallet, and the web service creation tool creates a flowchart when the program generation is instructed. The program added to the individual components that make up the software is modified based on the information that defines the processing content input by the developer, and rearranged according to the connection relationship of the individual components in the created flowchart. By performing the process, a program (web service providing program) for executing the process represented by the created flowchart is generated. As a result, the developer can obtain a web service providing program that provides a desired web service without performing coding work.

The web service creation tool also generates variable definition information describing the names of input variables and output variables when the generated web service providing program is executed. More specifically, this variable definition information is generated in units of web services realized by the web service providing program. For example, there are many common parts in processing for realizing individual web services, and so on. When a flowchart for realizing a service is created, and a web service providing program for realizing a plurality of types of web services is generated based on the flowchart, different webs of the plurality of types of web services are generated by a web service creation tool. A plurality of variable definition information corresponding to the service is generated.
When a web service providing program for realizing a plurality of types of web services is generated, the number n of web service providing programs is smaller than the number m of web services that can be provided (n <m). When each service providing program is a program that implements a web service, the number n of web service providing programs is the same as the number m of web services that can be provided (n = m). The above variable definition information is referred to as WSDL (Web Service Description Language) in the BPEL standard, for example. Further, in this embodiment, there is a development rule that “a constant name is used for each variable”, and a web service that uses the same variable is defined in the corresponding variable definition information regardless of the content of the web service. The names of the variables are the same.

  When the generation of the web service providing program and variable definition information by the web service creation tool is completed as described above, the developer uploads the generated web service providing program and variable definition information from the client terminal 16 to the server computer 12. Let The web service providing program and variable definition information uploaded to the server computer 12 are registered in the web service library and can be used by other developers.

  Next, preparation work performed by the developer prior to the development of the screen control program using the UI construction tool will be described. When developing a screen control program using a UI construction tool, the developer lists all the web services that are scheduled to be provided to the user through the UI realized by the screen control program to be developed. The web service providing program and variable definition information corresponding to each uploaded web service are downloaded from, for example, the web service library of the server computer 12, or the web service creation tool is started as necessary, and the above-described flowchart creation is performed. After the work is performed, the web service creation tool and variable definition information are generated by the web service creation tool (stored in the memory 16A or the storage unit 16A). When the corresponding web service providing program and variable definition information are acquired for all web services scheduled to be provided to the user, the button generation program is activated on the client terminal 16.

  Hereinafter, a button generation process performed by the client terminal 16 when the activated button generation program is executed by the CPU 16A will be described with reference to FIG. In the button generation process, first, in step 50, variable definition information (for example, WSDL in the BPEL standard) stored in the memory 16A or the storage unit 16A and corresponding to each web service scheduled to be provided to the user. Are extracted, and all input variables and output variables described in the individual variable definition information are extracted. For example, when the number of types of web services scheduled to be provided to users is m, input variables and output variables are respectively extracted from m variable definition information. In the next step 52, the variables stored in the input variable and the output variable extracted in step 50 are combined into one variable (name is the same, that is, the same variable), and each variable storage area is provided. An area (for example, a managed bean in the JSF standard) is generated.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 5A, web services scheduled to be provided to users are “book search service” and “book purchase service”, and the input variable of “book search service” is “book”. Name ”, the output variable is“ Book ID ”, the input variable of“ Book Purchase Service ”is“ Book ID ”and“ Purchaser ”, and the output variable is“ Result ”, the duplicate“ Book ID ” Are combined into one, a variable storage area is generated in which one storage area for each variable of “book name”, “book ID”, “purchaser”, and “result” is provided. Steps 50 and 52 correspond to the variable storage area generating means according to the present invention.

  In step 54, a single web service is selected as a processing target from the web services scheduled to be provided to the user. In the next step 56, a button for calling the processing target web service on the web page is selected. (Information). As will be described in detail later, in the UI construction tool, symbols such as information input / display fields and various buttons that can be used as components of the UI screen are displayed in the palette of the creation screen (see also FIG. 4). Thus, the UI screen is designed by repeating the operation of selecting a desired symbol and placing it at a desired position. In step 56, a button (information) conforming to the same standard (for example, JSF) as the UI construction tool is generated as a button for calling the web service to be processed on the web page. As a result, the generated button can be displayed in the palette of the UI construction tool creation screen. Step 56 corresponds to the symbol generation means according to the present invention.

  The processing after the next step 58 corresponds to the program adding means according to the present invention. First, at step 58, the input variable and the output variable described in the variable definition information corresponding to the web service to be processed are simply selected. In the next step 60, the variable storage area generated in step 52 is searched using the name of the variable selected in step 58 as a key, so that the storage area corresponding to the variable selected in step 58 is selected. Extract from the variable storage area. In step 62, it is determined whether or not the variable selected in step 58 is an input variable. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 64, and the data stored in the storage area extracted in step 60 from the variable storage area is delivered to the processing target web service as the variable (input variable) selected in step 58. Create an assignment statement (program). Also, if the variable selected in step 58 is an output variable, the determination in step 62 is denied and the process proceeds to step 66, out of the output variables delivered from the processing target web service when the processing by the processing target web service ends. Then, an assignment statement (program) is created for storing the output variable selected in step 58 in the storage area extracted in step 60 from the variable storage area.

  In the next step 68, it is determined whether or not the above processing has been performed for all the variables described in the variable definition information corresponding to the web service to be processed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 58, and step 58 to step 68 are repeated until the determination of step 68 is affirmed. As a result, at the time of starting the processing target web service (the program that provides the processing), the processing corresponding to the input variable in the processing target web service is transferred from the variable storage area to the processing target web service as an input variable (example) As shown in FIG. 5B, see the arrow pointing to the right indicated by a broken line), and at the end of the processing target web service (the program that provides it), the output variable delivered from the processing target web service is stored in the variable storage area A program that performs processing (see, for example, the left-pointing arrow indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5B) is automatically generated.

  If the determination in step 68 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 70 to create a call statement (program) for calling the web service to be processed. In step 72, the calling program created in the above-described processing (the program including the assignment statement created in steps 64 and 66 and the calling statement created in step 70: equivalent to the third program according to the present invention) It is added to the button (information) corresponding to the web service to be processed generated in 56 and stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 16B or the storage unit 16C. In the next step 74, it is determined whether or not the above processing has been performed on all the web services scheduled to be provided to the user. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 54, and steps 54 to 74 are repeated until the determination of step 74 is affirmed. As a result, buttons (information) to which the calling program is added are generated for all web services scheduled to be provided to the user. If the determination in step 74 is affirmative, the button generation process is terminated.

  Upon completion of this button generation processing, the preparation work is completed, and the developer then constructs a UI on the client terminal 16 in order to construct a UI (development of a screen control program) in a predetermined website that provides the web service. Start the tool program. As a result, a creation screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 18 of the client terminal 16 as an example.

  The UI construction tool is a tool having a function of generating a screen control program that realizes the constructed UI when the developer performs an operation for constructing the UI and the operation by the developer is completed. The creation screen shown in Fig. 2 displays a UI screen creation area for developers to create UI screens (web pages), symbols such as information input / display fields and various buttons that can be used as components of the UI screen. A screen transition definition area for defining transitions between the created palette and a plurality of UI screens created in the UI screen creation area is provided. In the present embodiment, since the above-described button generation processing is executed prior to the activation of the UI construction tool, information on buttons generated by the button generation processing and stored in a predetermined storage area when the UI construction tool is activated. As shown in FIG. 4 by hatching as an example, the buttons generated by the button generation process (buttons for calling individual web services scheduled to be provided to the user) are also used to create UI screens. It is displayed in the palette as one of the usable symbols.

  When the UI construction tool creation screen is displayed, the developer performs an operation for defining the UI to be constructed. That is, the developer selects a desired symbol from a plurality of symbols displayed in the palette via the mouse 22 or the keyboard 20 and places it at a desired position in the UI screen creation area. By repeating the operation (first operation) for inputting text information to be displayed in the UI screen, a plurality of UI screens (web pages) constituting a predetermined website are sequentially created (designed). In the creation of individual UI screens, if the UI screen being created is a screen that provides a user with a specific web service, the developer must select one of the symbols displayed in the palette. A button for invoking a specific web service is also selected, and an operation for arranging the button in the UI screen is also performed. Further, when the created UI screen is a screen provided with an information input / display field for inputting information or displaying information by the user, the developer can input / display individual information in the screen. The field is associated with the storage area corresponding to the information input via the information input / display field or the information displayed in the information input / display field among the variable storage areas generated by the previous button generation process (UI binding) (Also called) operation (second operation). Furthermore, when all the UI screens (web pages) constituting the website are created, the developer performs an operation (third operation) for defining the transition of each created UI screen within the screen transition definition area.

  The operation by the developer will be described with a specific example. As shown in FIG. 5B, as a web service program scheduled to be provided to the user through the development target website, a book search service and a book are provided. A purchase service program has already been developed, and the UI of the website uses a book search screen for a user to input a search target book name and instruct a search, and a book ID extracted by the search. After the user confirms and changes the book ID as necessary, the book purchase screen for inputting the purchaser information and instructing the purchase, and the result display screen for the user confirming the result of the purchase process When building a UI that transitions in order, the developer calls an information input / display field for inputting a book name and a book search service for the book search screen. Button to create the book search screen by performing operations to respectively disposed to the screen, an information input / display space in the book search screen, performs an operation associated with storage areas of the book title of the variable storage region.

  In addition, for the book purchase screen, the developer inputs an information input / display field for displaying and inputting a book ID, an information input / display field for inputting buyer information, and a button for calling a book purchase service. The book purchase screen is created by performing an operation of arranging each in the screen, and the information input / display field for displaying and inputting the book ID in the book purchase screen is displayed in the variable storage area. The information input / display field for inputting the purchaser information is associated with the storage area for the purchaser information in the variable storage area. Further, for the result display screen, the developer includes an information input / display field for displaying the result information and a button for instructing to delete the screen (a button labeled “OK” shown in FIG. 5B). A result display screen is created by performing an operation of arranging each in the screen, and an operation for associating the information input / display field in the result display screen with the result information storage area in the variable storage area is performed.

  Further, the developer transitions from the book search screen to the book purchase screen when the button in the screen is selected in a state where the book search screen is displayed, and in the state where the book purchase screen is displayed, When the button is selected, an operation for defining the transition of each screen is performed so that the book purchase screen transitions to the result display screen. Through the above operation, the UI shown in FIG. 5B can be defined.

  In addition, when trying to construct the above-described UI by a conventional method in which a variable storage area is provided in units of individual web services scheduled to be provided to users, as shown in FIG. An information input / display field for displaying and inputting a book ID provided in the book ID storage area in the variable storage area corresponding to the book search service, and in the variable storage area corresponding to the book purchase service Each needs to be associated with a storage area for book IDs. However, in standards such as JSF that the UI construction tool complies with, the number of storage areas in the variable storage area that can be associated with each information input / display field is limited to one each. Thus, since the information input / display field in the book purchase screen for displaying and inputting the book ID cannot be associated with a plurality of storage areas, a UI as shown in FIG. 5B cannot be constructed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the button generation processing described above, a variable storage area is generated by sharing the storage area of the variable defined in the variable definition information. As shown in FIG. 5B, the UI shown in FIG. 5B can be constructed and realized simply by associating the information input / display field in the book purchase screen for displaying and inputting the book ID with a single storage area. It is possible to improve the degree of freedom of UI design possible.

  When the operation for defining the UI is completed, the developer instructs the UI construction tool to generate a program that realizes the UI. Thereby, the UI construction tool realizes the UI constructed by the developer (displays each UI screen in order on the display 44 of the client terminal 42 in response to a request from the client terminal 42 (see FIG. 7)). Generate a program. This screen control program includes data that defines individual UI screens and a program that defines processing when various operations are performed by the user via individual UI screens. For a UI screen provided with a button for calling a web service, the call program generated by the button generation process described above and added to the button is read, and the read call program is Used as a program that defines the processing when the button is selected by the user (incorporated into the screen control program).

  With the operations and processes described above, the development of the application program including the screen control program and the web service providing program is completed. As described above, in this embodiment, the web service providing program can be developed without performing coding work by using the web service creation tool, and the button generation process is also performed in advance for the screen control program. , Create a variable storage area that shares the variable storage area defined in the variable definition information of each web service that is scheduled to be provided to the user, and plan to provide it to the user By generating a button to which a calling program for calling individual web services is added, the developer can use the UI construction tool to display the button displayed in the palette of the UI construction tool creation screen. By performing various operations including operations to place in the screen, it is possible to construct a desired UI (screen control) without coding work. It is possible to carry out the program development). Therefore, it is possible to develop application programs including a screen control program and a web service providing program in a very short period of time.

  Next, the operation when the application program is executed (when the website is operating) will be described. At the time of execution of the application program, as shown in FIG. 7, among the developed application programs, the screen control program is installed in the storage unit 34C of the application server 34, and the web service providing program is stored in the web service providing server 36. Installed in the unit 36C.

  Although not shown, the application server 34 executes a predetermined program (hereinafter referred to as a platform program) that functions as a platform for executing the screen control program. (For example, when the UI construction tool conforms to the JSF standard, the screen control program generated by the UI construction tool is executed on a platform called a JSF engine). The web service providing server 36 executes a predetermined program that functions as a platform for executing the web service providing program, and the web service providing program is executed on the platform (for example, a web service creation tool is provided). In the case of conforming to the BPEL standard, the web service providing program generated by the web service creation tool is executed on a platform called a BPEL engine).

  The screen control program executed by the application server 34 sends the UI screen data requested for distribution to the requesting client terminal 42 every time a user requests distribution of the UI screen via the client terminal 42. By transmitting, the UI screen requested to be distributed is displayed on the display 44 of the requesting client terminal 42. The information input in the information input / display field in the UI screen displayed on the display 44 by the user operating the keyboard 46 or the like is temporarily stored in the memory 42B or the like of the client terminal 42. It is transferred to the application server 34 at a predetermined timing (for example, when a button that triggers a transition to the next UI screen is selected).

  When the application program 34 receives from the client terminal 42 the information entered in the information input / display field in the UI screen by the user, the platform program operating on the application server 34 receives the received information. In the variable storage area provided on the memory 34B of the application server 34, the information is stored in a storage area pre-associated with the information input / display field in which information is input (see FIG. The processing corresponding to the arrow pointing to the right among the solid arrows indicated as “substitution”: corresponding to the synchronization processing according to claim 3).

  When a button for calling an arbitrary web service in the UI screen is selected by the user, the corresponding web service program is loaded into the web service providing server 36 by the calling program added to the button. The data stored in the storage area corresponding to the input variable in the started program in the variable storage area is read out from the variable storage area. It is handed over as an input variable to the activated program (a process corresponding to a right-pointing arrow among the broken-line arrows labeled “assignment by calling program” in FIG. 5B). As a result, processing for realizing the web service corresponding to the button selected by the user is executed on the web service providing server 36. In addition, when the process for realizing the web service includes access to the DB, the web service providing server 36 instructs the DB server 38 to access the DB via the application server 34, so that the DB is accessed. Access is realized.

  Further, when the processing by the program started on the web service providing server 36 is finished, data corresponding to the output variable is delivered from the web service providing server 36 to the application server 34, and the delivered data is changed to the variable by the calling program. Processing stored in the storage area (preset storage area) corresponding to the output variable in the storage area (in FIG. 5 (B), the arrow pointing to the left among the broken arrows indicated as “assignment by calling program”) Corresponding processing) is performed on the application server 34. Further, when the storage area in which data is newly stored by the above processing is associated with an information input / display field in any UI screen, it is determined by the platform program operating on the application server 34. Then, a process of displaying the data newly stored in the storage area in the associated information input / display field in the UI screen is performed (the solid line arrow indicated as “automatic assignment by binding” in FIG. 5B) Among these, the processing corresponding to the leftward arrow: equivalent to the synchronization processing according to claim 3). As a result, various web services are provided to the user through the website.

  As an example, when a website including UI screens shown in FIG. 5B is accessed by a user, a book search screen is first displayed on the display 44 of the client terminal 42 operated by the user. In addition, when the user inputs a book name to be searched in the book name input / display field on the book search screen and then selects a button labeled “Search” (a button for calling a book search service). The book name entered in the book name input / display field is temporarily stored in the book name storage area of the variable storage area by the platform program and then input to the book search service program started by the calling program. Passed as a variable. Further, the UI screen displayed on the display 44 of the client terminal 42 is switched to the book purchase screen when the button labeled “Search” is selected, but the book ID as an output variable of the book search service. Is stored once in the book ID storage area of the variable storage area by the calling program and then displayed in the book ID input / display field in the book purchase screen by the platform program.

  In addition, when the book purchase screen is displayed on the display 44, the user confirms the book ID displayed in the input / display field of the book ID in the screen and overwrites the book ID as necessary. After the purchaser information is entered in the purchaser information input / display field, a button labeled “purchase” (a button for calling a book purchase service) is selected. As a result, the purchaser information entered in the purchaser information input / display field is stored in the purchaser information storage area of the variable storage area by the platform program (the book ID is overwritten by the user). The book ID after overwriting is also stored in the corresponding storage area), and then the book ID and purchaser information stored in the variable storage area are stored in the book purchase service activated by the calling program. Passed to the program as an input variable. Furthermore, the UI screen displayed on the display 44 of the client terminal 42 is switched to the result display screen in response to the selection of the button labeled “Purchase”, but the result information as an output variable of the book purchase service Is stored once in the result information storage area of the variable storage area by the calling program and then displayed in the information input / display field of the result information in the result display screen by the platform program.

  In the above, the screen control program corresponding to the first program according to the present invention and the web service providing program corresponding to the second program according to the present invention are different computers (application server 34 and web service providing server 36). Although the mode to be executed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first program and the second program may be executed by the same computer.

  In the above description, a mode in which a predetermined web service is provided to a user who accesses a website (application server 34) through the Internet 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a mode in which a predetermined web service is provided to a user (for example, an employee of a specific company) who can connect to the intranet using an intranet.

  In the above description, the button generation program corresponding to the application development support program according to the present invention has been stored (installed) in advance in the storage unit 16C of the client terminal 16, but the application development support program according to the present invention is It is also possible to provide the information recorded in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first computer system as an application program development environment in the present embodiment. FIG. (A) is an example of a creation screen of a web service creation tool, and (B) is an image diagram showing an example of a flow created on the creation screen using the tool. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the button production | generation process. It is an image figure which shows an example of the creation screen of UI construction tool. (A) is a conceptual diagram illustrating generation of a variable storage area from variable definition information, and (B) is a conceptual diagram for explaining binding of information input / display fields and storage areas in a screen and substitution of data (variables) during operation. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the problem in the case of performing the same process as FIG. 5 (B) by a conventional system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the 2nd computer system as an execution environment of an application program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Computer system 12 Server computer 16 Client terminal 30 Computer system 34 Application server 36 Web service provision server 42 Client terminal

Claims (6)

A plurality of types of symbols including an information input / display field in which at least one of information can be input and displayed, which can be used as a component of the user interface screen, is displayed on the display screen. A first operation for designing a user interface screen by placing a desired symbol in a desired position in the screen, and individual information input / display fields arranged in the designed user interface screen in a variable storage area A second operation for associating with a corresponding variable storage area among a plurality of variables provided with a storage area, and a third operation for defining a transition of a plurality of designed user interface screens. When the user interface to be constructed is defined in step 1, the first program for realizing the user interface is generated. When a developer creates a flowchart that defines a desired process and a flowchart that defines a desired process, the second tool generates a second program for executing the process represented by the created flowchart. An application development support apparatus that supports development of an application program including the first program and the second program,
M (m ≧ n) executable by the n types of the second programs generated using the second tool before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. Based on variable definition information that defines input variables and output variables in each type of processing, a storage area for each variable defined in the variable definition information is provided as the variable storage area, and the variable definition information includes A variable storage area generating means for generating a variable storage area in which the storage areas of the variables defined in duplicate are made common;
Before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool, any one of the n types of the second programs is used as a symbol that can be used as a component of the user interface screen. Symbol generation means for generating m types of activation symbols for calling and causing different types of processing among the m types of processing;
When a specific activation symbol is selected from the m types of activation symbols generated by the symbol generation means displayed in the user interface screen, among the storage areas in the variable storage area, A specific second that can execute the corresponding process among the n types of the second programs, using as an argument the data stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the input variable in the process corresponding to the specific activation symbol. When two programs are activated to execute the corresponding process, and when the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, an output variable delivered from the specific second program is stored in the variable storage area. A third program that performs processing for storing in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the delivered output variable among the storage areas in Generates a ram, a third program that generated the addition to the specific starting symbol, and program addition means for performing each to the m types of starting symbol,
An application development support apparatus characterized by comprising:   The number of storage areas in the variable storage area that can be associated with each of the information input / display fields is limited to one each in the first tool. Application development support device.   The first program is executed on a computer executing a predetermined program that functions as a platform for executing the first program, and when the first program is executed by the computer, the predetermined program When information is newly input in a specific information input / display field that is arranged in the user interface screen displayed in the display screen and can input information, the input information is stored in the variable. When the information is also stored in a specific storage area associated with the specific information input / display field among the storage areas in the area, and information is newly stored in the specific storage area in the variable storage area Whether the stored information is arranged in the user interface screen displayed in the display screen and associated with the specific storage area. Application development support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization processing is performed also be displayed on the display specific information input / display section capable of information.   2. The application development support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first tool is a tool compliant with a first standard, and the second tool is a tool compliant with a second standard.   5. The application development support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first standard is JSF, and the second standard is BPEL. Computer
A plurality of types of symbols including an information input / display field in which at least one of information can be input and displayed, which can be used as a component of the user interface screen, is displayed on the display screen. A first operation for designing a user interface screen by placing a desired symbol in a desired position in the screen, and individual information input / display fields arranged in the designed user interface screen in a variable storage area A second operation for associating with a corresponding variable storage area among a plurality of variables provided with a storage area, and a third operation for defining a transition of a plurality of designed user interface screens. When the user interface to be constructed is defined in step 1, the first program for realizing the user interface is generated. When a developer creates a flowchart that defines a desired process and a flowchart that defines a desired process, the second tool generates a second program for executing the process represented by the created flowchart. An application development support program for functioning as an application development support apparatus that supports development of an application program including the first program and the second program,
The computer,
M (m ≧ n) executable by the n types of the second programs generated using the second tool before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool. Based on variable definition information that defines input variables and output variables in each type of processing, a storage area for each variable defined in the variable definition information is provided as the variable storage area, and the variable definition information includes A variable storage area generating means for generating a variable storage area in which the storage areas of the variables defined in duplicate are made common;
Before the first to third operations are performed on the first tool, any one of the n types of the second programs is used as a symbol that can be used as a component of the user interface screen. Symbol generating means for generating m types of activation symbols for calling and causing different types of processing among the m types of processing,
And, when a specific activation symbol is selected from the m types of activation symbols generated by the symbol generation means and displayed in the user interface screen, each storage area in the variable storage area Among the n types of the second programs, the specific process capable of executing the corresponding process, using as an argument the data stored in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the input variable in the process corresponding to the specific activation symbol The second program is started to execute the corresponding process, and when the execution of the corresponding process by the specific second program is completed, the output variable delivered from the specific second program is changed to the variable A process of storing in the storage area of the variable corresponding to the delivered output variable among the storage areas in the storage area is performed. It generates a program, the third program that generated the addition to the specific starting symbol, the application development support program for causing to function as each performing a program adding means to the m types of starting symbol.

Images