Executing dynamically assigned functions while providing services

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for applying actions during server system processing. Functional processing blocks where actions may be applied to a service request are identified. Actions are dynamically associated with functional processing blocks. During execution of a functional processing block, a check is performed to determine whether an action is associated with the functional processing block. If an action is associated with a functional processing block, the action is applied during the functional processing block's execution. An evaluation may be performed to determine if an action should be applied before or after the functional processing block. The server system may comprise an XML data repository, providing access to XML data, based on identity information which is received with a client system request. A portion of the server system may be described in accordance with an XML schema.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 062,045, filed Jan. 31, 2002, entitled “Executing Dynamically Assigned Functions while Providing Services”. That application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 275,809, filed Mar. 14, 2001 and entitled “Identity-Based Service Communication Using XML Messaging Interfaces”, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. The Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the field of computer services. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for applying one or more functions during processing that may occur in a server providing one or more services. [0004] 2. Background and Relevant Art [0005] Typically, before being deployed in a live system, services undergo significant testing to uncover programming errors and to ev...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention extends to methods, systems and computer products for dynamically executing one or more functions at any of one or more processing steps that may occur in providing a service to a client system. In one embodiment, executing the one or more functions during identified processing steps provides significant flexibility for dynamically monitoring the operation of the service being analyzed. By identifying particular processing steps that are executed during operation of the service, specific functions may be designated for execution when the processing steps occur. These specific functions are dynamically associated with the processing steps so that the type and extent of monitoring can be adjusted quickly to allow for rapid and efficient problem diagnosis.

[0012] Functions associated with processing steps may be predefined or custom, depending on monitoring needs or wants. Predefined functions are advantageous because certain operations or actions are likely to be commonly used in many monitoring scenarios and therefore predefined functions may provide enhanced value. By allowing for custom functions, individual monitoring circumstances may be addressed in a meaningful way. Describing at least a portion of the server system in terms of a hierarchical organization may add to the flexibility of custom functions and provide a mechanism for writing monitoring functions that are useful across multiple operating platforms. Here again, an organization based on XML may be desirable given the popularity and flexibility of the language.

Problems solved by technology

While useful, such testing often is able only to estimate full-scale use.

As a result, certain program errors or performance problems may go undetected in development or testing environments.

However, monitoring services for purposes of debugging, performance, hardware problems, system attacks, and the like, often involves various complex issues.

Moreover, monitoring itself may introduce some amount of processing overhead.

While the overhead for a single transaction is relatively small, the aggregate overhead for a large number of transactions may result in unacceptable levels of performance and skew any conclusions that are reached from the monitoring.

For example, as noted above, it may be impractical to produce all possible monitoring information at all times, either due to the amount of monitoring information that will be produced or due to the negative effect that such monitoring may have on overall system performance.

Furthermore, certain monitoring tools may require significant expertise to use, including programming skills.

For many, the level of skill required may reduce the effectiveness of a particular monitoring tool or prevent its use all together.

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