Computer software implemented framework for configuration and release management of group systems software, and method for same

Abstract

A global framework multi-layer computer based architecture is provided. The global framework may include a single set of libraries that contains common source code applicable to substantially all business processing systems using the global framework. The global framework may include individual source code libraries that contain modifications specific to a business processing system to meet the local needs of that business processing system. The business processing systems may execute the custom and base libraries through concatenation of the libraries.

1 . A global framework multi-layer computer based architecture including at least one source code management system that provides executable production environments to support component applications, said architecture comprising:
 multiple layers configured to segregate, into different layers, globally applicable software for installation into and execution by all of multiple business processing systems from software that is only installed into and executed by specific ones of said business processing systems; said multiple layers including:   a base layer containing the globally applicable software, and   a custom layer containing the software specific to specific business processing systems, such that the globally applicable software and the software specific to specific business processing systems are segregated into the respective layers;   said base layer providing globally applicable development and installation functionality for said multiple business processing systems within the source code management system, wherein source code commonly utilized by said multiple business processing systems is staged to said base layer for integration with existing source code for said multiple business processing systems to create a merged base set of load module libraries, said merged base set of load module libraries containing all common source code management system elements utilized in common by said multiple business processing systems; and wherein software modifications that are global in nature and apply to all business processing systems are installed in the base set of load module libraries at the base layer; and   said custom layer, in operative interaction with said base layer, providing specific development and installation functionality for utilization by a business processing system of said plurality of business processing systems within the source code management system, wherein source code specific to said business processing system is staged to said custom layer for integration with existing source code specific to said business processing system to create a merged custom set of load module libraries, said merged custom set of load module libraries containing all modifications to be utilized specifically by said business processing system to meet local needs of said business processing system; and wherein software modifications that are specific to a business processing system are installed in the custom set of libraries at the custom layer.   
     
     
         2 . The global framework computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising individual online and/or batch execution environments to support data management and processing for each of said business processing systems. 
     
     
         3 . The global framework computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one set of associated tools and processes, in operative interaction with said source code management system, to enable consistent use of and modification to source code management system elements common to said multiple business processing systems. 
     
     
         4 . The global framework computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of naming standards to control and identify components, libraries, data sets, and/or execution environments within said source code management system. 
     
     
         5 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a global layer, in operative interaction with said base layer, providing development functionality for said multiple business processing systems within the source code management system, wherein source code for said multiple business processing systems is developed within said global layer.   
     
     
         6 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a regional layer, in operative interaction with said base and custom layers, providing installation functionality for said merged base set of libraries, wherein said installed base set of libraries support execution by said multiple business processing systems in batch and/or online by allowing said multiple business processing systems to implement said base set of libraries, if necessary, by concatenating said custom set of libraries and said base set of libraries installed in said regional layer.   
     
     
         7 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 6 , wherein said base set of libraries in said regional layer are protected such that contents of said base set of libraries cannot be changed at said regional layer. 
     
     
         8 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an environment layer, in operative interaction with said custom layer, providing processing functionality for a business processing system of said plurality of business processing systems, wherein said installed base set of libraries support execution by said multiple business processing systems in batch and/or online by allowing said multiple business processing systems to implement said base set of libraries, if necessary, by concatenating said custom set of libraries and said base set of libraries.   
     
     
         9 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 8 , wherein said environment layer comprises a complete set of databases and data files for each business processing system of said multiple business processing systems. 
     
     
         10 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a local layer, in operative interaction with said custom layer, providing application load modules for each business processing system of said multiple business processing systems, wherein said local layer load modules are dependent upon source code management system data.   
     
     
         11 . The global framework multi-layer computer based architecture of  claim 1 , wherein on execution of software at a specific business processing system load modules from the custom set of load module libraries are executed in preference to those that exist at the base layer and the load modules to be executed are selected by concatenation. 
     
     
         12 . A method for configuration and release management of group application systems software within a source code management system using a global framework multilayer computer based architecture as defined in any preceding claim, said method comprising:
 receiving one or more changed components of group application systems software at the base layer of the source code management system;   merging said one or more changed components into said base set of load module libraries for source code and copybooks at the base layer of the source code management system;   testing said one or more changed components at said base layer; and   installing said merged components at a regional layer using base load modules;   and further comprising:   receiving one or more changed components of group application systems software at said custom layer of the source code management system, wherein said one or more components are applicable to only a portion of multiple business processing systems within the source code management system;   merging said one or more changed components at said custom layer with a base set of libraries for source code and copybooks to create said custom set of load module libraries;   testing said custom set of libraries at said custom layer; and   installing said custom set of libraries at said custom layer using custom load modules.   
     
     
         13 . The method for configuration and release management of group application systems software of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing said multiple business processing systems with the ability to implement said base set of libraries in batch and/or online by allowing said multiple business processing systems to concatenate a custom set of libraries at a custom layer and said base set of libraries.   
     
     
         14 . A global framework multi-layer computer based architecture including at least one source code management system that provides executable production environments to support component applications, comprising:
 a base layer providing development and installation functionality for multiple business processing systems within the source code management system including base source code for said multiple business processing systems that provides common functionality for the multiple business processing systems and to be merged and compiled with custom source code for at least one of said multiple business processing systems to create merged source code and merged executable software code, said base source code including common source code management system elements comprising the common functionality that is common to and required by said multiple business processing systems, and wherein the merged source code is tested in said base layer prior to distribution of the merged executable software code; and   a custom layer, in operative interaction with said base layer, providing development and installation functionality for a business processing system of said plurality of business processing systems within the source code management system, wherein custom source code for said business processing system is staged to said custom layer for integration with the base source code for said business processing system to create merged source code, said merged source code including modifications to the base source code specific to said business processing system to meet local needs of said business processing system, and wherein said merged custom set of libraries are tested in said custom layer prior to installation of said merged executable software code.