METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR UTILIZING SUBTYPING TO SUPPORT EVOLUTION OF DATA TYPES

摘要

An apparatus utilizing subtyping to evolve data types includes a processor and memory storing executable computer program code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations defining a subtype relationship in an object model supporting types of instances to share data. The program code further causes the apparatus to define a constraint specifying an instance of child type is also an instance of parent type such that instances of child type are instances of parent type. The program code further causes the apparatus to define a constraint specifying the child type is a subtype of the parent type which is the parent of the child type. The program code further causes the apparatus to evaluate an instance(s) from an application(s) or device(s) to determine whether the instance(s) is valid based on detecting whether the instance(s) complies with the constraints. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
defining a subtype relationship in an object model configured to support multiple types of instances of data to facilitate sharing of data; defining a first constraint of the subtype relationship in the object model specifying that an instance of a child type is also an instance of a parent type such that any instances of the child type are instances of the parent type; defining a second constraint of the subtype relationship in the object model specifying that the child type is a subtype of the parent type and the parent type is the parent of the child type; and evaluating, via a processor, at least one received instance of data from at least one application or at least one communication device to determine whether the received instance of data is valid based in part on detecting whether the received instance of data complies with the first constraint and the second constraint of the defined subtype relationship.