Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium has a data structure stored thereon for constructing expressions representing software configurations to be applied to software. The data structure includes a first data field including data identifying a name of software setting for the application. A second data field includes data representing an assertion portion of an policy rule for configuring the configurations identified in the first data field to be applied to the software. The data structure also includes a third data field storing data representing an action portion of the policy rule. The second data field and the third data field form the policy rule. A fourth data field stores metadata describing the policy rule represented by the first data field, the second data field, and the third data field.

Abstract: Defining target data types within an instance of a target data type definition for inclusion in a reference data type definition to declare expected entity relationships in a model. The model corresponds to, for example, software, a business process, or an organizational structure. The target data type defines one or more elements with target data. The target data describes entities that are expected to be related to the reference entity according to a predefined entity relationship. The existing reference data type definition is used to declare the expected entity relationships. In an embodiment, the defined target data type includes a tag in an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) document.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium having a data structure for representing a plurality of objects. The data structure includes a first data field storing data associated with a taxonomy type. The data structure also includes a second data field storing data associated with a reference to a model instance of an object classified by the taxonomy type. The model instance identifies an entity represented by the classified object. A third data field stores a first data set having data stored in the second data field. The first data set identifies a set of one or more objects related to the classified object positioned higher in a hierarchical structure than the classified object. A fourth data field stores a second data set having data stored in the second data field. The second data set identifies a set of one or more objects related to the classified object positioned lower than classified object.

Abstract: Defining target data types within an instance of a target data type definition for inclusion in a reference data type definition to declare expected entity relationships in a model. The model corresponds to, for example, software, a business process, or an organizational structure. The target data type defines one or more elements with target data. The target data describes entities that are expected to be related to the reference entity according to a predefined entity relationship. The existing reference data type definition is used to declare the expected entity relationships. In an embodiment, the defined target data type includes a tag in an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) document.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium has a data structure stored thereon for constructing expressions representing software configurations to be applied to software. The data structure includes a first data field including data identifying a name of software setting for the application. A second data field includes data representing an assertion portion of an policy rule for configuring the configurations identified in the first data field to be applied to the software. The data structure also includes a third data field storing data representing an action portion of the policy rule. The second data field and the third data field form the policy rule. A fourth data field stores metadata describing the policy rule represented by the first data field, the second data field, and the third data field.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium having a data structure for representing a plurality of objects. The data structure includes a first data field storing data associated with a taxonomy type. The data structure also includes a second data field storing data associated with a reference to a model instance of an object classified by the taxonomy type. The model instance identifies an entity represented by the classified object. A third data field stores a first data set having data stored in the second data field. The first data set identifies a set of one or more objects related to the classified object positioned higher in a hierarchical structure than the classified object. A fourth data field stores a second data set having data stored in the second data field. The second data set identifies a set of one or more objects related to the classified object positioned lower than classified object.