Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, and corresponding apparatus, for interactively creating database integration specifications comprising a workflow specification, communication scripts, and data translators. The invention includes steps and means for interactively creating a workflow specification which graphically depicts the flow of control and data among the various communication scripts and data translators. Each communication script, data translator, or other integration object that is part of the overall workflow specification is graphically represented by corresponding, cursor-sensitive display objects. These display objects are then interactively interconnected so as to depict the desired flow of control and data. The method further includes steps and means for specifying content for the actual communication scripts and data translators. Specifying a particular communication script or data translator is preferably initiated by interactively selecting the cursor-sensitive display object corresponding to that particular communication script or data translator. In a further feature of the invention, software data objects representing the communication scripts, data translators, and the workflow specification are stored in an object-oriented database. The database integration specification is ultimately compiled into executable form.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim