RE: Keep business-process-specific data separate?

["Costello, Roger L." <costello@mitre.org>]

Hi Folks,

Here is an interesting response from a colleague:

The way I like to think of the problem is that the business process will have its own XML data format, which includes the task-specific format...

<Transportation-Office-Request>
   <Submission-Datetime>2009-01-28T12:07:00Z</Submission-Datetime>
   <Transportation-Request>
        <!-- your transportation request data, here -->
   <Transportation-Request>
</Transportation-Office-Request>

HR might have its own format:

<HR-Transportation-Request>
   <name>Costello, Roger L.</name>
   <Transportation-Request>
        <!-- your transportation request data, here -->
   <Transportation-Request>
</HR-Transportation-Request>

What do you think about my colleague's solution?

/Roger 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Costello, Roger L. 
> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 11:12 AM
> To: 'xml-dev@lists.xml.org'
> Subject: Keep business-process-specific data separate?
> 
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> Suppose I create an XML vocabulary for a "Transportation Task 
> Request." Here's an example: 
> 
> In the following instance document I am expressing the desire 
> to be picked up from my home on January 29 at 7 am and 
> dropped off at Logan airport. On my return trip I desire to 
> be picked up at Logan airport on February 4 at 6 pm and 
> dropped off at home:
> 
> <Transportation-Request>
>     <Departure>
>         <Starting-Point>home</Starting-Point>
>         <Finishing-Point>Logan airport</Finishing-Point>
>         <Datetime>2009-01-29T07:00:00</Datetime>
>     </Departure>
>     <Return>
>         <Starting-Point>Logan airport</Starting-Point>
>         <Finishing-Point>home</Finishing-Point>
>         <Datetime>2009-02-04T18:00:00</Datetime>
>     </Return>
> </Transportation-Request>
> 
> I create this document then walk it over to my company's 
> transportation office and give it to them. The first thing 
> they do with it is stamp on it the date and time of submission. 
> 
> 
> QUESTION
> 
> When I create my Transportation Task Request XML vocabulary, 
> should it include a <Submission-Datetime> element? Thus, when 
> I create my instance document, I include an empty 
> <Submission-Datetime> element:
> 
> <Transportation-Request>
>     <Submission-Datetime></Submission-DateTime>
>     <Departure>
>         <Starting-Point>home</Starting-Point>
>         <Finishing-Point>Logan airport</Finishing-Point>
>         <Datetime>2009-01-29T07:00:00</Datetime>
>     </Departure>
>     <Return>
>         <Starting-Point>Logan airport</Starting-Point>
>         <Finishing-Point>home</Finishing-Point>
>         <Datetime>2009-02-04T18:00:00</Datetime>
>     </Return>
> </Transportation-Request>
> 
> When the transportation office receives the instance 
> document, they fill in the element.
> 
> Is this a smart thing to do - include a <Submission-Datetime> 
> element in my Transportation Task Request XML vocabulary?
> 
> 
> BUSINESS-PROCESS-SPECIFIC DATA
> 
> Recall my objective: create "an XML vocabulary for expressing 
> a transportation task that I want accomplished." 
> 
> The <Submission-Datetime> element is not really relevant to 
> my objective. The <Submission-Datetime> element only comes 
> into play when I hand my travel request document to the 
> person at the travel office. That is, the 
> <Submission-Datetime> element is only relevant in this 
> particular business process.
> 
> The <Submission-Datetime> element is business process-specific data.
> 
> 
> AVOID BUSINESS-PROCESS-SPECIFIC DATA
> 
> I think that it's bad to put business-process-specific data 
> with my XML vocabulary.
> 
> Do you agree?
> 
> My rationale is that in another business process the 
> <Submission-Datetime> element may not be relevant. 
> 
> For example, in addition to dropping my document off at the 
> travel office, I also drop a copy off at human resources. The 
> first thing the human resources office does is stamp my name 
> on it. Thus, in this business process, the 
> <Submission-Datetime> element is not needed; rather, a <name> 
> element is needed.
> 
> By keeping business-process-specific data decoupled from my 
> XML vocabulary it gives me flexibility to use my XML 
> vocabulary in a variety of business processes.
> 
> Do you agree?
> 
> 
> WHERE TO PUT THE BUSINESS-PROCESS-SPECIFIC DATA
> 
> If I don't put the business-process-specific data with my 
> Transportation Task Request data, where do I put it?
> 
> 
> /Roger
> 
> 
>   
> 
>