Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-29
2001-12-25
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2671)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C714S048000, C714S049000, C714S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06334193
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to error handling processes. More specifically, the invention provides a system that implements error handling processes defined by a user.
BACKGROUND
Computer systems typically execute an error handling process when an error or other failure in the system occurs. Typically, the manner in which the error or other failure is processed by the system is determined by the developer of the system or its components. For example, software applications and operating systems typically include various error handling processes defined by a developer. These error handling processes can generate an error message indicating that an error occurred and the type of error or the cause of the error. Alternatively, an error handling process can execute a diagnostic program that allows the user of the system to diagnose the error.
In existing systems, error handling processes are defined by the developer and handle the error in a manner prescribed by the developer. When developing these “built-in” error handling processes, the developer anticipates the manner in which the end-user (or the majority of end-users) will want the error processed. Additionally, the developer must anticipate all possible errors that might occur in the system, and define an error handling process for each possible error.
These “built-in” error handling processes provided by the system developer may not be complete or may not process a particular error in the manner desired by the end-user. For example, the developer may not identify all possible errors that can occur in the system. Additionally, the developer may not select the best error handling process to satisfy the preferences of a particular end-user. Furthermore, the error handling process selected by the developer may not take into consideration the configuration and requirements of a particular system or user. In systems that permit the end-user to create and execute custom routines (e.g., software routines) or procedures, it may be difficult for the developer to anticipate all possible error situations.
As discussed above, existing systems provide built-in error handling capabilities. However, these existing systems do not allow the end-user to define or implement a custom error handling routine. Instead, the end-user is limited to the error handling processes provided by the system developer. It is therefore desirable to provide a system that allows the end-user to define and execute custom error handling processes, which may replace or supplement the built-in error handling processes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention allow an end-user of a system (such as a computer system) to define one or more custom error handling processes. The end-user may associate multiple custom error handling processes with a particular error or activity. The particular error handling process to be executed is selected based on parameters provided to an error handling procedure or error handling module. Thus, rather than relying on built-in error handling processes, the user is able to define one or more custom error handling processes for each error or activity.
An embodiment of the invention identifies an activity that generated the error and determines whether the activity has an associated user-defined error handling process. A default error handling process is executed if the activity does not have an associated user-defined error handling process. The associated user-defined error handling process is executed if the activity has an associated user-defined error handling process.
Another embodiment of the invention provides multiple user-defined error handling processes associated with a particular activity.
One embodiment of the invention includes an activity execution module configured to execute process definitions and identify errors that occur when executing process definitions. This embodiment also includes an error handling module coupled to the activity execution module and configured to determine whether a particular error has an associated user-defined error handling process.
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Hickman Brian D.
Hickman Palermo & Truong & Becker LLP
Holmes Craig G.
Monestime Mackly
Oracle Corporation
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