Patent ID: 6219659
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A configuration-management system, comprising:a configuration-description language comprising base parameters which are user-configurable and derived parameters which depend from said base parameters;a target system having a limited set of selectable functions and that constrains relationships between said base and derived parameters;a compiler for generating a plurality of rule sets using said configuration-description language by verifying input-definition validity, wherein system definitions are converted into a portable, compact binary format;a rule database for storing said plurality of rule sets in binary format and including a predetermined table of all possible characteristics combinations for the target system;a database manager for providing a constrained set of choices to the target system after first applying said plurality of rule sets to an input job, and further providing for a replacement selection of functions in the target system when said input job includes otherwise infeasible choices; anda report tool for verifying a system constraint parameter to a user, and providing for a traversal of any rules sets and for creating a table of all possible combinations of options or characteristics of the target system;wherein, release-engineering maintainability is improved by an accurate reproduction of any prior configuration releases of the target system.