Database system and information processing system with process code information

Abstract

System (software) development is performed based on a state transition diagram. The workflow of a business process is partitioned for each event therein and assigns process codes to the respective process results. A process code is an identification code to indicate a certain state of a process. For example, a process code AA is assigned to the waiting state before completion of a process A, and a process code AB is assigned to the completion state thereof wherein the process code AB is set as a condition to start a process B. The process codes that are set based on the state transition diagram are managed in an external database (DB) so that flexible modification of the state transition configuration and the state transition order is possible. This provides an entirely new method of system design that facilitates business process reengineering.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . (canceled)  
     
     
         3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . An information processing system comprising a business application workflow processor for controlling: 
 an application that executes each of a plurality of business processes ordered in a given sequence of processing events to carry out a business process workflow; and    a business process application database, separate from the application, which includes business process workflow information, including a plurality of process codes for each of said business processes, where in the plurality of process codes identify and correspond to said processing events for each of said business processes;    wherein said business workflow processor processes the business workflow in association with said process codes as said sequence of processing events, and wherein modifications to said business process workflow are carried out by exchanging process codes with modified process codes without modifying said application.    
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising a determination processor that interoperates with the application and business process application database to determine if each processing event comprising the business process workflow and associated with a process code is executable.  
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said given sequence of business processes and process events associated with said process codes is represented by a state transition diagram for said business processes workflow.  
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the process codes information comprises a table.  
     
     
         9 . The system as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said determination processor, depending of a state of a business process as represented by processed process codes, replaces executable instructions representative of the business process, said replacement executable instructions then associated with said process, and with the process codes for events associated with said process.