Abstract:
A model-based approach for transforming data. A modeling framework that includes a plurality of rules for performing transformations of data is developed. A data unit is configured. The data unit is assigned to a job that includes one or more rules of the plurality of rules. The job transforms the data unit from a data format of a source system into a data format of a destination system. Usage statistics for at least one rule of the job are monitored. An aggregate rule is determined based on a first atomic rule and a second atomic rule. The first atomic rule and the second atomic rule are identified by at least one, or in part by a common pattern. A first rule of the job is identified based on the usage statistics of a plurality of data units. The first rule is removed from memory.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of big data, and more particularly to providing a model-based approach for transforming data units. 
         [0002]    Big data is a broad term for data sets that are so large or complex that the data sets are difficult to process using traditional data processing applications. Challenges include, without limitation: analysis; capture; curation; search; sharing; storage; transfer; visualization; and information privacy. Analysis of larger data sets can find new correlations to spot business trends, prevent diseases, combat crime, etc. 
         [0003]    Big data is difficult to work with using most relational database management systems and desktop statistics and visualization packages, requiring, instead, massively parallel software running on tens, hundreds, or even thousands of servers. The level of difficulty varies depending on, for example, the capabilities of the organization managing the set and the capabilities of the applications that are used to process and analyze the data set in its domain. 
         [0004]    Data is a set of values of qualitative or quantitative variables; more simply, pieces of data are individual pieces of information. Data is measured, collected, reported, and analyzed to be visualized using graphs or images. 
         [0005]    In metadata and data warehousing, a data transformation converts a set of data values from the data format of a source data system into the data format of a destination data system. Data transformation can be divided into two steps: (1) data mapping maps data elements from the source data system to the destination data system and captures any transformation that must occur; and (2) code generation that creates the actual transformation program. Data element to data element mapping is frequently complicated by complex transformation that require one-to-many and many-to-one rules. When the data mapping is indirect via a mediating data model, the process is also called data mediation. The code generation step takes the data element mapping specification and creates an executable program that can be run on a computer system. Code generation can also create transformation in easy-to-maintain computer languages. 
         [0006]    A master data recast is another form of data transformation, where the entire database of data values is transformed, or recast, without extracting the data from the database. All data in a well-designed database is directly or indirectly related to a limited set of master database tables by a network of foreign key constraints. Each foreign key constraint is dependent upon a unique database index from the parent database table. Therefore, when the proper master database table is recast with a different unique index, the directly or indirectly related data are also recast or restated. The directly or indirectly related data may also still be viewed in the original form since the original unique index still exists with the master data. Also, the database recast should be done in such a way as to not impact the application&#39;s architecture software. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for a model-based approach for transforming data is provided. The method includes developing, by one or more processors, a modeling framework, wherein the modeling framework includes a plurality of rules for performing transformations of data; configuring, by one or more processors, a data unit, wherein the data unit is assigned to a job that includes one or more rules of the plurality of rules, and wherein the job transforms the data unit from a data format of a source system into a data format of a destination system; monitoring, by one or more processors, usage statistics for at least one rule of the job; determining, by one or more processors, an aggregate rule based on a first atomic rule of the plurality of rules and a second atomic rule of the plurality of rules, wherein the first atomic rule and the second atomic rule are identified by at least one, or in part by a common pattern; identifying, by one or more processors, a first rule of the job based on the usage statistics of a plurality of data units; and removing, by one or more processors, the first rule from memory. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product for providing a model-based design for transforming data. The computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium. The program instructions include program instructions to develop a modeling framework, wherein the modeling framework includes a plurality of rules for performing transformations of data; program instructions to configure a data unit, wherein the data unit is assigned to a job that includes one or more rules of the plurality of rules, and wherein the job transforms the data unit from a data format of a source system into a data format of a destination system; program instructions to monitor usage statistics for at least one rule of the job; program instructions to determine an aggregate rule based on a first atomic rule of the plurality of rules and a second atomic rule of the plurality of rules, wherein the first atomic rule and the second atomic rule are identified by at least one, or in part by a common pattern; program instructions to identify a first rule of the job based on the usage statistics of a plurality of data units; and program instructions to remove the first rule from memory. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system for providing a model-based design for transforming data is provided. The computer system includes one or more computer processors, one or more computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors. The program instructions include program instructions to develop a modeling framework, wherein the modeling framework includes a plurality of rules for performing transformations of data; program instructions to configure a data unit, wherein the data unit is assigned to a job that includes one or more rules of the plurality of rules, and wherein the job transforms the data unit from a data format of a source system into a data format of a destination system; program instructions to monitor usage statistics for at least one rule of the job; program instructions to determine an aggregate rule based on a first atomic rule of the plurality of rules and a second atomic rule of the plurality of rules, wherein the first atomic rule and the second atomic rule are identified by at least one, or in part by a common pattern; program instructions to identify a first rule of the job based on the usage statistics of a plurality of data units; and program instructions to remove the first rule from memory. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a computing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a flowchart of the steps of a data unit program, executing within the computing system of  FIG. 1 , for providing a model-based design for transforming data units, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of components of the server and/or the computing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The big data paradigm involves characteristics such as volume (i.e., the amount of data), velocity (i.e., the speed of data in and out), veracity (i.e., the quality of data), and/or variety (i.e., the range of data types and sources) of data. The relative importance of each of these attributes in data processing varies across businesses and industries. 
         [0014]    While offline and/or batch processing still applies to many data types, embodiments of the present invention recognize that there is an increasing need in industry to process vast quantities of data at, or near, real time velocity. Regardless of the data types or the speed of processing requirements, current solutions do not provide a model-based design at the data unit level. A data unit is a portion of data of a particular data type, for example primitive data types or composite data types. For example, when mediation or transformation needs to be performed on structured, unstructured, and/or semi-structured data, the data is hard coded through codified transformation or map-based transformations. Hard coding is to build absolute and unchangeable values into a program such that the values can only be changed by modifying the source code and recompiling. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention recognize several problems with the current state of big data processing. Hard coded transformations are specific to only a particular message. Jobs that are meant for such tasks cannot be shared by other similar streams. In other words, other similar streams are not aware of such transformations taking place. Hard coded ecosystems do not facilitate resources to be utilized across multiple users. Processing big data in this way requires highly skilled and expensive resources, which are limited in supply. Embodiments of the present invention provide a model-based design at the data unit level. 
         [0016]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of computing system  10 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  provides an illustration of one embodiment and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. 
         [0018]    In the depicted embodiment, computing system  10  includes server  30  and computing device  40  interconnected over network  20 . Network  20  may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a cellular data network, any combination thereof, or any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between server  30  and computing device  40 , in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Network  20  may include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. Computing system  10  may include additional computing devices, servers, or other devices not shown. 
         [0019]    Server  30  may be a management server, a web server, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of processing program instructions and receiving and sending data. In some embodiments, server  30  may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with computing device  40  via network  20 . In other embodiments, server  30  may represent a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment. In another embodiment, server  30  represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources. In the depicted embodiment, server  30  contains data unit program  110  and data unit database  120 . In other embodiments, server  30  may include data unit program  110 , data unit database  120 , and/or other components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0020]    Computing device  40  may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, netbook computer, or tablet computer. In general, computing device  40  may be any electronic device or computing system capable of processing program instructions, sending and receiving data, and communicating with server  30  via network  20 . In the depicted embodiment, computing device  40  contains user interface  130 . In other embodiments, computing device  40  may include user interface  130  and/or other components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]    User interface  130  may be any user interface used to access information from server  30 , such as information gathered and produced by data unit program  110 . In one embodiment, user interface  130  may be a generic web browser used to retrieve, present, and process information resources from the Internet. In other embodiments, user interface  130  may be a software program or application that enables a user of computing device  40  to access server  30  over network  20 . In some embodiments, user interface  130  may be a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators, such as secondary notation, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels, or navigation. In the depicted embodiment, user interface  130  resides on computing device  40 . In other embodiments, user interface  130 , or similar user interfaces, may reside on another computing device, another server, or server  30 , provided that user interface  130  is accessible to data unit program  110 . 
         [0022]    Data unit program  110  provides a model-based design for transforming data units. In doing so, data unit program  110  develops a modeling framework. Data unit program  110  selects jobs. Data unit program  110  identifies and configures data units. Data unit program  110  deploys data units. Data unit program  110  monitors data units. Data unit program  110  determines whether a common pattern of data units are identified and whether the deployed data units are being used. Data unit program  110  stores data units in the form of rules to a library or removes the rules from memory. In the depicted embodiment, data unit program  110  resides on server  30 . In other embodiments, data unit program  110  may reside on another server, computing device, or computing device  40 , provided that data unit program  110  can access data unit database  120  and user interface  130  via network  20 . 
         [0023]    Data unit database  120  may be a repository that may be written to and/or read by data unit program  110 . In some embodiments, a program (not shown) may allow an administrator or other user to define rules to be used for enabling a model-based approach for transforming data. Such a program may further allow for storing the rules to data unit database  120 . In other embodiments, data unit database  120  may store learned rules. The present invention has the ability to self-learn and evolve to build an extended repository of rules based on new sets of data units being analyzed and processed. 
         [0024]    In other embodiments, data unit database  120  is a knowledge base that is governed by an ontology. A knowledge base is a technology used to store complex structured and unstructured information used by a computer system. A knowledge-based system consists of a knowledge base that represents facts and an inference engine that can reason about those facts and use rules and other forms of logic to deduce facts or highlight inconsistencies. In some embodiments, information stored in a knowledge base may include: function categories; descriptions; services; service functions; capabilities and configurations; and WordNet (a lexical database for the English language). An ontology is a formal, explicit specification of a shared abstract simplified view of some selected part of the world, containing the objects, concepts, and other entities that are presumed of interest for some particular purpose and the relationships between them. In some embodiments, an ontology may use the information stored in a knowledge base to form and identify the relationships between different services. 
         [0025]    In the depicted embodiment, data unit database  120  resides on server  30 . In other embodiments, data unit database  120  may reside on another server, computing device, or computing device  40 , provided that data unit database  120  is accessible to data unit program  110  via network  20 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  depicts a flowchart of the steps of a data unit program, executing within the computing system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Data unit program  110  provides a model-based design for transforming data units. 
         [0027]    In step  210 , data unit program  110  develops a modeling framework. In one embodiment, data unit program  110  allows an administrator to develop an initial modeling framework. In some embodiments, data unit program  110  develops an initial modeling framework. To develop an initial modeling framework, in one embodiment, data unit program  110  stores model-driven rules for atomic data units to data unit database  120 . Atomic data units are primitive data types, such as: byte, short, int, long, char, boolean, float and double. Atomic data units are data units that are not built from other data units. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  stores pre-defined rules for atomic data units to data unit database  120 , where the rules are defined by an administrator. The rules for atomic data units may be called atomic rules. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, data unit program  110  allows an administrator to use atomic rules to build aggregate rules, which are stored to data unit database  120 . In other embodiments, data unit program  110  uses atomic rules to build aggregate rules and stores the aggregate rules to data unit database  120 . Aggregate rules are used in the transformation of data units. Aggregate rules are a combination of atomic data rules. For example, two atomic rules could be: “Gender=F” and “age&gt;50.” When the two atomic rules are combined and used together, an aggregate rule could be: “If Gender=F and age&gt;50.” 
         [0029]    In step  220 , data unit program  110  selects jobs. A job is a series of transformations. The job may be performed on data from a source data system after which the transformed data is moved to a destination data system. 
         [0030]    In step  230 , data unit program  110  identifies and configures data units. Configuring the data units involves making the data units ready for deployment. In one embodiment, data unit program  110  allows an administrator to identify a data unit, drag and drop, and assign the data unit to inbound source message types, properties, metadata, tenants, and/or user groups. The present invention specifies a library of data units which are specific to semantic, syntactic, segregation, and aggregation types that the administrator drags and drops and points to the source and destination elements. This is available for structured and/or unstructured representations. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, data unit program  110  identifies a data unit and assigns the data unit to inbound source message types, properties, metadata, tenants, and/or user groups, based on the association of rules to inbound messages that are associated using criteria based on structure, metadata, content type, etc. In configuring data units, in some embodiments, data units include an association of rule criteria with the transformation that needs to be applied to the message, record, or content. 
         [0032]    Data units may be structured data and/or unstructured data. In one embodiment, a data unit will go from structured data to unstructured data, for example, “StreetAddress+City=AddressInformation.” In other embodiments, a data unit will go from unstructured data to structured data, for example, “AddressInformation=StreetAddress+City.” Additionally, data units may include various types of transformation data units, including, semantic, syntactic, and/or rules. 
         [0033]    In step  240 , data unit program  110  deploys data units. Deployment includes all activities needed to make the data units available for use, such as release. The release activity follows the completed development process of the data unit, including all of the operations to prepare a data unit for assembly and transfer to the destination data system. Therefore, it must determine the resources required to operate at the destination data system and collect information for carrying out subsequent activities of the deployment process. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, data unit program  110  deploys data units after a data transformation converts the data units from a data format of a source data system into the data format of a destination data system. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  deploys data units without a need for data transformation, because the format of a source data system matches the format of a destination data system. 
         [0035]    In step  250 , data unit program  110  monitors data units. In some embodiments, there are predetermined monitoring policies that guide the monitoring of data unit program  110 . In one embodiment, data unit program  110  monitors data units to analyze and refine the rules on a dynamic basis. Monitoring dynamic (i.e., constantly changing) data units allows data unit program  110  to release resources based on certain criteria. In one embodiment, data unit program  110  dynamically refines rules based on the structure, metadata, and/or content type of atomic data units. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  dynamically refines rules based on tenants and/or user groups. 
         [0036]    In other embodiments, data unit program  110  monitors the addition of data units within new streams. A stream is a sequence of data elements made available over time. Data is split into streams to facilitate parallel processing. Each stream contains the same data, but different operations are performed on each stream in parallel. After the streams complete, the results of each stream are combined. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, data unit program  110  monitors the usage statistics of atomic data units within various streams to determine if certain rules are being used. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  monitors the usage statistics of aggregate data units within various streams to determine if certain rules are being used. Aggregate data units are data from any other classes of data types other than primitive data types, such as from composite data types. Composite types are derived from more than one primitive type and examples include: arrays, records, unions, and/or objects. In one embodiment, data unit program  110  monitors data within single streams. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  monitors data within multiple streams that executes dissimilar jobs. Still, in some embodiments, data unit program  110  monitors data within multiple streams that executes similar jobs. 
         [0038]    An example of atomic data units identified multiple times in the same stream may be shown by the atomic rule: “Gender=F” identified twice in Stream 1. An example of an atomic data unit identified in multiple streams may be shown by the atomic rule: “Gender=F” identified in Stream 1 and 3. An example of atomic data units identified multiple times in the same stream may be shown by the aggregate rule: “If Gender=F and Age&gt;50” identified twice in Stream 1. An example of atomic data units in multiple streams may be shown by the aggregate rule: “If Gender=F and Age&gt;50” identified in Streams 1 and 3. 
         [0039]    In embodiments of the present invention, data unit program  110  monitors the usage statistics of each rule of a job. In one embodiment, there is a predetermined threshold for the number of usages needed for a rule to remain in memory. In other embodiments, the rules have inputs and outputs that are monitored by data unit program  110 . 
         [0040]    In decision  260 , data unit program  110  determines whether a common pattern of data units are identified. In one embodiment, data unit program  110  determines whether a common pattern of atomic data units are identified. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  determines whether a common pattern of aggregate data units are identified. In one embodiment, a common pattern of data units, atomic and/or aggregate, are identified as matching in a single stream. In other embodiments, a common pattern of data units, atomic and/or aggregate, are identified as matching in multiple streams. 
         [0041]    If a common pattern of data units are identified (decision  260 , yes branch), data unit program  110  stores the identified common pattern of data units in the form of rules to a library, such as data unit database  120  (step  270 ). Data unit program  110  allows data unit database  120  to continuously self-learn and build a library of rules based on the categorization and matching of data units and apply the rules based on run-time analysis. In some embodiments, data unit program  110  maintains data unit database  120  for administration services, such as, role-based access, quality control, and/or versioning. In other embodiments, data unit program  110  allows data units to be available as discoverable units, where the data units are made available to multiple tenants through data transformation registry services. 
         [0042]    After data unit program  110  stores the identified common pattern of data units in the form of rules to data unit database  120 , data unit program  110  determines whether the deployed data units are being used (decision  280 ). Alternatively, if a common pattern of data units are not identified (decision  260 , no branch), then data unit program also determines whether the deployed data units are being used (decision  280 ). If the deployed data units are being used (decision  280 , yes branch), then data unit program  110  monitors the data units again (step  250 ). If the deployed data units are not being used (decision  280 , no branch), for example if a predetermined usage threshold is not met (meaning below the predetermined threshold), then data unit program  110  removes the rules involving those data units from memory (step  290 ). Data unit program  110  also discards redundant rules based on monitoring the usage statistics of the inputs and outputs of the rules, which enables data unit program  110  to free up resources for other needs. An example of an atomic data unit not being used may be: “M” unused in all presently active streams, therefore, the rule “Gender=M” will be discarded. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts computer system  300 , which is an example of a system that includes components of server  30  and/or computing device  40 . Computer system  300  includes processors  301 , cache  303 , memory  302 , persistent storage  305 , communications unit  307 , input/output (I/O) interface(s)  306  and communications fabric  304 . Communications fabric  304  provides communications between cache  303 , memory  302 , persistent storage  305 , communications unit  307 , and input/output (I/O) interface(s)  306 . Communications fabric  304  can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric  304  can be implemented with one or more buses or a crossbar switch. 
         [0044]    Memory  302  and persistent storage  305  are computer readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory  302  includes random access memory (RAM). In general, memory  302  can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media. Cache  303  is a fast memory that enhances the performance of processors  301  by holding recently accessed data, and data near recently accessed data, from memory  302 . 
         [0045]    Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention may be stored in persistent storage  305  and in memory  302  for execution by one or more of the respective processors  301  via cache  303 . In an embodiment, persistent storage  305  includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage  305  can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information. 
         [0046]    The media used by persistent storage  305  may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage  305 . Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage  305 . 
         [0047]    Communications unit  307 , in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit  307  includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit  307  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention may be downloaded to persistent storage  305  through communications unit  307 . Data unit program  110  and data unit database  120  may be downloaded to persistent storage  305  of server  30  through communications unit  307  of server  30 . User interface  130  may be downloaded to persistent storage  305  of computing device  40  through communications unit  307  of computing device  40 . 
         [0048]    I/O interface(s)  306  allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to each computer system. For example, I/O interface  306  may provide a connection to external devices  308  such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices  308  can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., data unit program  110  and data unit database  120 , can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage  305  of server  30  via I/O interface(s)  306  of server  30 . Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., user interface  130 , can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage  305  of computing device  40  via I/O interface(s)  306  of computing device  40 . I/O interface(s)  306  also connect to display  309 . 
         [0049]    Display  309  provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor. 
         [0050]    The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature. 
         [0051]    The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
         [0052]    The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
         [0053]    Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
         [0054]    Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
         [0055]    Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
         [0056]    These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0057]    The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0058]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0059]    The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.