Unlted States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,423,989 B2
Unlted States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,423,989 B2
Unlted States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,423,989 B2
US 8,423,989 B2
Apr. 16, 2013
rown et a1.
..
..
345/541
C0150,BeIh1ehem,PA0J$);Dn
Deasey, Easton, PA (US)
2002/0133504 Al*
2003/0105838 A1*
707/104.1
. . . . . .. 709/220
2003/0204525 A1*
707/103 R
_ _ _ _ _
711/158
717/168
709/223
711/118
Maron ...... ..
Yasue ....... ..
(*)
Not1ce:
2006/0020689 A1*
2007/0050548 A1*
1/2006 Roman et a1
3/2007 Bali et a1
709/220
..... .. 711/118
2007/0140460 Al*
2007/0226715 A1*
2008/0027948 A1*
6/2007 Cai et a1
9/2007
1/2008
.. 379/21801
..... .. 717/148
. . . .. 707/10 ......
Kimura et a1. .
Corley et a1.
(21)
APPLNO" 12/114153
_
2008/0147675 Al*
2008/0147974 A1*
707/10
711/118
(22)
(65)
Flledl
May 2, 2008
Prior Publication Data
2009/0125228 Al*
2009/0182941 A1*
701/201
* cited by exam1ner
US 2009/0276768 A1
(51) Int. Cl.
Nov. 5, 2009
Primary Examiner * Lewis A Bullock, Jr. Assistant Examiner * Francisco Aponte
G06F 9/44
(2006-01)
717/168
(52)
(58)
US. Cl.
USPC ........................................................ ..
Ottesen, LLP
(57) ABSTRACT
(56)
more software programs. The parameters are preferably in cache. When the system needs any such parameter, it ?rst checks cache, then a preferably remotely located database,
and then, preferably a ?at ?le on the same computer as the
12/1999 5/2000
11/2002 9/2003
parameter is used upon locating a current Version of it. If the current Version is obtained from anywhere other than the
711/119
102
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store In cache
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US. Patent
Sheet 1 012
US 8,423,989 B2
FIG. 1
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3. If data exists m
database, store in
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103
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4. if no data found yet,
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check file
4 5. if data exists in ?le, I 5
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store in cache
1. check cache
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Retrieve value for /
application
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US. Patent
Sheet 2 of2
US 8,423,989 B2
FIG. 2
209 DB Server
108 DB Server
104 107
103 AS
205
206
207
US 8,423,989 B2
1
SOFTWARE PARAMETER MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL FIELD
2
In view of the foregoing competing requirements, there
exists a need in the art to optimiZe software concurrently both in terms of its ?exibility to permit alterations of parameters without taking the system out of service for an extended
This invention relates to computer software, and more spe ci?cally, to an improved method for managing one or more parameters that may be used by one or more software appli
cations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Software applications are ubiquitous in modern business. Such software applications are often designed to be ?exible
so that business users may customiZe them to their own par
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, along with an exem
ticular needs.
?xed at the time of software installation, but as the organiZa tion discovers other potential error conditions, the need may arise to be able to easily alter the error conditions. Generally, software applications may require one or more parameters than they need to be altered. The manner, frequency, and speci?cs of how the software will need to be altered and customiZed is often unknown at the time of installation.
FIG. 1 depicts a conceptual diagram with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement of FIG. 1 includes a computer system 100 that comprises at least
25
an application server 107 and database server 108. Not shown in FIG. 1 are optional local client PCs or terminals which may
connect with the application server to execute one or more
applications. It is noted that the arrangement in FIG. 1 also does not show a variety of other computers and terminals that
30
The arrangement of FIG. 1 is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the nearly in?nite variety of computer net
works that may be con?gured to implement the same func tionality. Each of the database server and application server
35
applications, they may have to be taken off line also. For mission critical software, this presents a problem for an orga niZation. Even when parameters used by the software application are
not hard coded, if such parameters are placed in a ?at ?le on an application server where the software application is run
40
ning, the software application may still need to be taken out of service in order to update the parameters. Adding to the problem is that there is always a need to maximiZe the speed at which such software applications execute. This is particularly true in a multiuser environment,
where many users are accessing a single application server. In
enough may vary by parameter. Speci?cally, the system designed and typically knows in advance approximately how
often the cache memory should be updated with a new value. The value that is to replace the cache value comes from
50
such an environment, in order to maximiZe the speed and thus minimize response time of the software application, it is bene?cial to have the needed parameters either hard coded
into the software or stored locally on a ?at ?le in the comput ers memory. This allows the fastest access to such param
eters, and thus, most e?icient execution of the software. How ever, intertwining these parameters so closely with the actual
found in cache memory 103, it has timed out, the next step described below is executed. If either the parameter has timed out in cache, or if it is not
present at all in cache, then an additional source such as
database 102 (or other ?le) is checked for a current version of the necessary parameter. Database 102 is preferably, but not necessarily, a database and is also preferably implemented on
a separate database server as shown in FIG. 1. By implement
ing database 102 on a separate server 108, new data can be
and thus, the less ?exible the software system is. Generally
however, the less intertwined the parameters are with the software application, the more easily they can be altered as needed.
65
US 8,423,989 B2
3
If the required parameter is located in database 102, it is Written to cache memory 103 and also utilized by application 1 10. However, if the parameter is not found in database 102, the ?at ?le 104 is then checked, and the data presumably located. In all events, hoWever, the value of the parameter is
retrieved at block 105 and placed into cache memory 103 for subsequent use. FIG. 2 depicts and additional embodiment of the present invention in Which the application server includes plural ter minals 205-207, and tWo database servers 209 and 108. In such a case, a parameter in cache memory may also specify, in
the cache, Which of the database servers the 209 or 108 to use
4
it is desired to permit even faster access by placing the param eter in ?at ?le 104, at least tWo methodologies can be utiliZed. First, the ?at ?led can be updated With the neW value at a time When the application is not used, or at least less critical (e. g.; overnight). Alternatively, the softWare itself can be pro grammed, and the parameter in database 102 tagged, so that the softWare itself is instructed to place the neW parameter into the ?at ?le after it is ?rst read into cache from the database 102. The system may also keep track of the number of times a parameter is replaced With information from the database. In this manner, if a parameter Was designated by the developer for the ?at ?le, but the system detects that it is changing too often, it can alert the developer to reallocate such parameter to the database ?le 102. While the above describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, various other modi?cations can be imple
for the updated parameter. In this manner, if the needed parameter is not in the cache at all, the next step Would be to
check the database servers 108 and/or 109. These tWo servers
may represent one live and one backup, or, they may represent multiple servers for storing a large amount of data, such that the database is implemented betWeen the tWo of them. Alternatively, if the parameter is in cache 103 but has time out, the cache version could include a pointer to the speci?c database server to check, thereby eliminating the need to check plural servers.
1. A method comprising:
executing a softWare application on an application server,
Preferably, the system designer Will ascertain in advance Which of numerous softWare parameters change often enough
to use the database or other ?le 102, and Which do not change
25
Will gradually be moved into cache as the softWare applica tion(s) that need them are run on the application server 107,
application server advises to store said ?rst predeter mined parameter in a database of the application server;
in response of the recommendation, overriding, by the developer, the designation of storage of said ?rst prede
termined parameter from the ?at ?le, to storage in the
database;
When a step in the sequence of steps is executed and
frequently than the predetermined threshold are placed into the database 102, Whereas, parameters expected to be updated less frequently than the predetermined threshold are placed
into the ?at ?le. In this manner, once the application(s) are up
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a cache on said application server for a valid
threshold can be changed While the softWare applications using them are live. Notably, parameters in the ?at ?le 104 can also be put into
the database ?le 102. Such a situation Will arise When a
value associated With said ?rst predetermined param eter Without taking said softWare application out of
45
service;
if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter
parameter Was previously selected for the ?at ?le, but the developer Wishes to override the value. Rather than have to take the application out of service to update the ?at ?le, the parameter can just be put into the database 102. Due to the
order in Which the sources for the parameter are checked, as
described above, the system Will continue to operate, but the database ?le Will trump the ?at ?le because it is checked ?rst.
The above technique can also be used to alloW a parameter
55
parameter from said cache, Wherein said valid value is deemed present and valid in said cache if said ?rst predetermined parameter is located in cache and if an expiration time associated With said ?rst predeter mined parameter has not lapsed; if said ?rst predetermined parameter is not contained in
said cache, checking said database on a database server for said ?rst predetermined parameter Without
in the ?at ?le, and Which can thus be accessed very quickly by the softWare application, to be altered Without having to take
system can then change it by placing the parameter in data base 102, even though it is not normally kept there.
Due to the order in Which the softWare application checks for sources of the parameter (described above), the softWare application Will continue operating, hoWever, it Will do so using the neW value of the parameter in database 102. Then, if
65
US 8,423,989 B2
5
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter
Was obtained Wherein updated values of the predeter mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 2. The method of claim 1, Wherein the expiration time associated With said ?rst predetermined parameter is different from the expiration time associated With at least one other of
01
server.
6
frequency level; and relocating said identi?ed param
eters from said ?at ?le to said remote ?le in said database
5. A method comprising:
executing a softWare application on an application server,
in response of the recommendation, overriding, by the developer, the designation of storage of said ?rst prede
termined parameter from the third memory source, to storage in the second memory source; When a step in the sequence of steps is executed and
creating an update value for said ?rst predetermined parameter of said set of predetermined parameters; stor ing said update value for said ?rst predetermined param
eter in said database of the application server; When a step in the sequence of steps is executed and
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a ?rst memory source on said application server for a valid value associated With said ?rst pre
30
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a cache on said application server for a valid
determined parameter Without taking said softWare application out of service; if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter is in said ?rst memory source, obtaining said ?rst predetermined parameter from said ?rst memory
source, Wherein said valid value is deemed present and valid in said cache if said ?rst predetermined
parameter is located in ?rst memory source and if an
value associated With said ?rst predetermined param eter Without taking said softWare application out of
35
service;
if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter
expiration time associated With said ?rst predeter mined parameter has not lapsed; if said ?rst predetermined parameter is not contained in said ?rst memory source, checking said second
memory source on a database server for said ?rst
tion server and the second memory source are differ ent servers;
if said ?rst predetermined parameter does not exist in said second memory source, obtaining said ?rst pre
determined parameter from said third memory source on said application server, and moving said ?rst pre determined parameter from said third memory source into said ?rst memory source; and
55
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter Was obtained; Wherein updated values of the predeter
60
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter Was obtained; Wherein updated values of the predeter
mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: identifying one or more parameters con?gured for storage
on said ?at ?le and stored on said ?at ?le that are being
mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein the expiration time associated With said ?rst predetermined parameter is different
from the expiration time associated With at least one other of
US 8,423,989 B2
7
automatically monitoring the frequency of changes made
to a set of predetermined parameters needed by the soft Ware application, Wherein if a ?rst predetermined parameter is updated at a frequency loWer than a prede
8
parameter is updated at a frequency loWer than a prede
in response of the recommendation, overriding, by the developer, the designation of storage of said ?rst prede
termined parameter from the ?at ?le, to storage in the
database;
When a step in the sequence of steps is executed and
recommendation;
creating an update value for said ?rst predetermined parameter of said set of predetermined parameters; stor ing said update value for said ?rst predetermined param
eter in said second memory source of the application
server;
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a cache on said application server for a valid
value associated With said ?rst predetermined param eter Without taking said softWare application out of
service;
if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter
20
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a ?rst memory source on said application server for a valid value associated With said ?rst pre
determined parameter Without taking said softWare application out of service; if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter
is in said ?rst memory source, obtaining said ?rst
25
expiration time associated With said ?rst predeter mined parameter has not lapsed; if said ?rst predetermined parameter is not contained in said ?rst memory source, checking said second
memory source on a database server for said ?rst
if said ?rst predetermined parameter exists in said data base, moving said ?rst predetermined parameter from
the database into said cache on said application
35
server; and
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter Was obtained; Wherein updated values of the predeter
mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 10. The system of claim 9, Wherein the expiration time associated With said ?rst predetermined parameter is different
from the expiration time associated With at least one other of
if said ?rst predetermined parameter does not exist in said second memory source, obtaining said ?rst pre
determined parameter from said third memory source on said application server, and moving said ?rst pre determined parameter from said third memory source into said ?rst memory source; and
11. A system comprising a processor executing instruc tions to perform the functions of:
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter Was obtained; Wherein updated values of the predeter
mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
identifying one or more parameters con?gured for storage on said ?at ?le and stored on said ?at ?le that are being
creating an update value for said ?rst predetermined parameter of said set of predetermined parameters; stor ing said update value for said ?rst predetermined param
65
eter in said database of the application server; When a step in the sequence of steps is executed and
US 8,423,989 B2
10
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a cache on said application server for a valid
value associated With said ?rst predetermined param eter Without taking said softWare application out of
in response of the recommendation, overriding, by the developer, the designation of storage of said ?rst prede
termined parameter from the third memory source, to storage in the second memory source; When a step in the sequence of steps is executed and
service;
if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter
of predetermined parameters, obtaining said ?rst prede termined parameter by performing the operations of:
checking a ?rst memory source on said application server for a valid value associated With said ?rst pre
determined parameter Without taking said softWare application out of service; if said valid value of said ?rst predetermined parameter
is in said ?rst memory source, obtaining said ?rst predetermined parameter from said ?rst memory
20
source, Wherein said valid value is deemed present and valid in said cache if said ?rst predetermined
parameter is located in ?rst memory source and if an
25
expiration time associated With said ?rst predeter mined parameter has not lapsed; if said ?rst predetermined parameter is not contained in said ?rst memory source, checking said second
memory source on a database server for said ?rst
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter Was obtained; Wherein updated values of the predeter
mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:
identifying one or more parameters con?gured for storage on said ?at ?le and stored on said ?at ?le that are being
if said ?rst predetermined parameter does not exist in said second memory source, obtaining said ?rst pre
determined parameter from a said third memory source on said application server, and moving said
13. A system comprising a processor executing instruc tions to perform the functions of:
using said ?rst predetermined parameter in said step regardless of Where said ?rst predetermined parameter Was obtained; Wherein updated values of the predeter
mined parameter are used in lieu of the original values. 14. The system of claim 13, Wherein the expiration time associated With said ?rst predetermined parameter is different
from the expiration time associated With at least one other of
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO.
APPLICATION NO.
2 8,423,989 B2
: 12/114153
Page 1 Ofl
DATED INVENTOR(S)
: April 16, 2013 : Eric Fodok, Jay Colson and Don Deasey
It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:
On the Title page of the patent, to the right of identi?cation item (73) (the assignee), the Word
Synchonoss should be changed to -- Synchronoss --.
QZT/EL)
Teresa Stanek Rea