Patent ID: 9519884
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: G06Q

Claim Text:
1. A computer-implemented method to improve reconfigurability and uptime of an application server when managing workflow instances having variable runtime dependencies between workflow operations, by managing the workflow instances without requiring any application server maintenance for removing, redefining, and redeploying any workflow based on static workflow templates, the computer-implemented method comprising: instantiating, by the application server, a parent process comprising an instance of a workflow, based on a parent process template, the workflow having variable runtime dependencies between workflow operations; commencing, by the parent process, execution of a number of workflow operations according to an active workflow configuration of the parent process, the active workflow configuration comprising a first workflow configuration; instantiating, by the parent process and based on a child process template distinct from the parent process template, one or more child processes each configured to execute a respective one or more workflow operations specified in the active workflow configuration; subsequent to instantiating the instance of the workflow according to the first workflow configuration, receiving, by the application server and from a requesting entity, a change request specifying a second workflow configuration distinct from the first workflow configuration in terms of runtime dependencies between the workflow operations; upon determining, by the application server, that the second workflow configuration is a valid workflow configuration, changing the execution of the workflow operations mid-execution by the application server, based on the second workflow configuration and by operation of one or more computer processors, including replacing the first workflow configuration with the second workflow configuration as the active workflow configuration for the parent process, and without requiring any application server maintenance for removing, redefining, and redeploying the workflow based on static workflow templates, thereby improving the reconfigurability and uptime of the application server; and outputting, to the requesting entity, an indication that the execution of the workflow operations has been changed mid-execution based on the second workflow configuration.