Patent ID: 8635331
Filing Date: 2014-01-21
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method implemented by a plurality of computers, each computer having a distributed framework element that can receive a given data handle and determine from a common registry which of the computers is storing workflow data that corresponds to the given data handle, the method comprising: receiving, at a given one of the computers, a request for workflow data associated with a workflow, the request received in conjunction with a logical handle, the workflow comprising an executable workflow definition stored on the one or more of the computers, the workflow definition defining a graph of activities linked by flow of data therebetween wherein completion of a first activity of the workflow triggers execution of a second activity of the workflow linked to the first activity in the graph, the one or more computers configured to be capable of executing arbitrary workflows, the request having been generated by a process executing an activity of the workflow; passing the logical handle to the distributed framework element of the given one of the computers, which in turn accesses the registry, the registry comprising records for tracking and managing respective workflow data of various arbitrary workflows including data of the workflow corresponding to the request, wherein each record comprises access information to control access to the corresponding workflow data and location information indicating an address of a computer where the corresponding workflow data is stored, the records thereby indicating which of the computers are storing which portions of workflow data of arbitrary workflows; responsive to receiving the logical handle accessing a record in the registry that corresponds to the logical handle, using the access information in the accessed record to determine that the computer can access the workflow data corresponding to the request, and in response the distributed framework element of the given computer obtaining from the accessed record the address of the computer storing the portion of workflow data that corresponds to the logical handle, wherein the distributed framework element of the given computer provides the address to the given computer; and using the address to access the portion of the workflow data that corresponds to the logical handle, wherein the activity corresponding to the request executes using the accessed portion of the workflow data.