Patent Document ID: 5513323
Application ID: 07715179

Base Claim:
1. A method in a data processing system having multiple object types therein and including multiple object type transformation applications for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first selected object type to a second selected object type, said method comprising the steps of: identifying each object type within said data processing system; assigning each identified object type to an associated node within an object type network; determining an expenditure cost associated with each of said multiple object type transformation applications; associating each determined expenditure cost with a link between two selected nodes within said object type network; and determining an optimal path through said object type network from a node associated with said first selected object type to a node associated with said second selected object type by means of links having minimal expenditure cost associated therewith.

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Claim 2:
2. The method in a data processing system having multiple object types therein and including multiple object type transformation applications for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first selected object type to a second selected object type according to claim 1 wherein said step of assigning each identified object type to an associated node within an object type network comprises the step of assigning each identified object type to an associated node within a graphically depicted object type network.