Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems consistent with the present invention may transform business application objects and relationships into object-oriented programming elements, making it possible to display and manipulate representations of the business objects and their relationships in an easily comprehensible and manageable manner using standard object-oriented programming language tools. With this capability a user may easily see all the business objects that depend upon or are somehow related to the selected business object and gain awareness of the scope of objects in the business application that may be affected by a change to the selected business object. By using an object-oriented model of a complex, table-based business application, relationships not previously understandable may now be easily determined, displayed, and modified.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the invention may analyze a business application's data, operations, and relationships and create a corresponding object oriented programming (OOP) model corresponding to the business application entities. The OOP model may be created by selecting the minimum set of attributes of the business application's data structures that uniquely define those data structures. In one embodiment the OOP model may be realized in the Java programming language and may include OOP objects, functions, and operators. Each OOP model accurately represents the data, relationships, and rules associated with the corresponding business entity. Once converted to an OOP model, systems and methods consistent with the invention may use standard OOP tools to understand, manipulate, design, redesign, analyze, and modify the business application. This can be done independently of the native business application system, as the OOP model is separate and independent from the business application entities.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems redesign a business application composed in a first programming format by receiving a model representing the business application in a second programming format and processing the model using a code refactoring tool in the second programming format. A modification to the model made by the code refactoring tool is analyzed and applied, in the first programming format, to the business application.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems analyze potential logic errors or problems of a business application by receiving a model representing the business application and processing the model using an object-oriented tool. The errors or problems may be corrected in the model and the correction applied to the business application. In one exemplary embodiment, the logic errors or problems may be marked in the model for identification to a user.

Abstract: An interactive configuration environment consistent with the present invention integrates and displays a table-based business application using a single, interactive display. When business application structures are displayed using object-oriented code structures, the business meaning of the object-oriented code structures may also be displayed in the integrated environment. Users can write a new business rule using object-oriented code, and that code may be converted into logic entities to apply the new rule in the business application. When a user rolls a mouse over an item in the object-oriented code, documentation of the underlying business meaning may be displayed in a pop-up box.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention enable the use of computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools to analyze and verify a configuration of a business application. By transforming business application structures into object-oriented structures, object-oriented CASE tools may be used to verify the underlying business application configuration. CASE tools may be used to analyze and test the effects of potential configuration changes in a business application. CASE tools could be applied to assist a consultant in configuring a business application or verifying an existing business application configuration.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems consistent with the present invention allow a user to compare different versions of a business application using an object-oriented model of the business application. By transforming business application structures into object-oriented structures, such as object-oriented language constructs, structures, and other elements, individual differences between versions of the business applications may be identified and displayed to a user, for example, on a user interface. A user may display object-oriented models of the business application representing, for instance, the latest control version, the latest deployed version, and a test version including test modifications. Having all three versions represented in object-oriented models allows a user to perform a three-way comparison between the object-oriented models, increasing productivity and efficiency of maintaining, debugging, modifying, controlling and deploying the business application.