Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing functions (e.g., that express business rules) to allow calling functions, maintaining functions, and providing of an execution framework for functions. In one embodiment, there are a number of functions to be maintained. An object technology infrastructure is formed to store data and metadata for the functions. For example, metadata about a function can include data describing what that function does, a 'cost' associated with that function, how to execute that function, the input and output parameters required by that function. The exposure of the metadata regarding the functions' input and output parameters allows an engine to track input/output relationships between the functions and, in essence, define the order of execution.

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First Claim