Graphical specification of XML to XML transformation rules

A method for graphical specification of an XML to XML transformation rule, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a user's selection of a user-selected, ambiguous, target leaf node, from a target tree of an initial target context, the target leaf node representing a target XML element to be mapped by the transformation rule, the target tree having a root, the target leaf node having a path from the root to the target leaf node including the target leaf node itself, wherein the path includes one or more repeating nodes;
• disambiguating the target leaf node, further comprising:
• creating a new context for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node;
• adding, to each new context and to the transformation rule, for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node, a user-specified indication whether each such repeating node represents an XML element mapped with multiple instances;
• and
• adding, to each new context and to the transformation rule, a user-selected repeating source node for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node that represents an XML element mapped with multiple instances;
• and
• adding the target leaf node to the transformation rule.

A system for graphical specification of an XML to XML transformation rule, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a user's selection of a user-selected, optionally ambiguous, target leaf node, from a target tree of an initial target context, the target leaf node representing a target XML element to be mapped by the transformation rule;
• means for disambiguating the target leaf node if the target leaf node is ambiguous;
• means for adding the target leaf node to the transformation rule;
• means for receiving a user's selection of at least one user-selected, optionally ambiguous, source leaf node, from a source tree of an initial source context, wherein the source leaf node represents a source XML element to be mapped to the target leaf node by the transformation rule;
• means for disambiguating the source leaf node if the source leaf node is ambiguous;
• and
• means for adding the user-selected source leaf node to the transformation rule.

A system for graphical specification of an XML to XML transformation rule, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a user's selection of a user-selected, ambiguous, target leaf node, from a target tree of an initial target context, the target leaf node representing a target XML element to be mapped by the transformation rule, the target tree having a root, the target leaf node having a path from the root to the target leaf node including the target leaf node itself, wherein the path includes one or more repeating nodes;
• means for disambiguating the target leaf node, further comprising:
• means for creating a new context for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node;
• means for adding, to each new context and to the transformation rule, for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node, a user-specified indication whether each such repeating node represents an XML element mapped with multiple instances;
• and
• means for adding, to each new context and to the transformation rule, a user-selected repeating source node for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node that represents an XML element mapped with multiple instances;
• and
• means for adding the target leaf node to the transformation rule.

A computer program product for graphical specification of an XML to XML transformation rule, the computer program product comprising:

• a recording medium;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving a user's selection of a user-selected, optionally ambiguous, target leaf node, from a target tree of an initial target context, the target leaf node representing a target XML element to be mapped by the transformation rule;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for disambiguating the target leaf node if the target leaf node is ambiguous;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for adding the target leaf node to the transformation rule;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving a user's selection of at least one user-selected, optionally ambiguous, source leaf node, from a source tree of an initial source context, wherein the source leaf node represents a source XML element to be mapped to the target leaf node by the transformation rule;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for disambiguating the source leaf node if the source leaf node is ambiguous;
• and
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for adding the user-selected source leaf node to the transformation rule.

A computer program product for graphical specification of an XML to XML transformation rule, the computer program product comprising:

• a recording medium;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving a user's selection of a user-selected, ambiguous, target leaf node, from a target tree of an initial target context, the target leaf node representing a target XML element to be mapped by the transformation rule, the target tree having a root, the target leaf node having a path from the root to the target leaf node including the target leaf node itself, wherein the path includes one or more repeating nodes;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for disambiguating the target leaf node, further comprising:
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for creating a new context for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node;
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for adding, to each new context and to the transformation rule, for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node, a user-specified indication whether each such repeating node represents an XML element mapped with multiple instances;
• and
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for adding, to each new context and to the transformation rule, a user-selected repeating source node for each repeating node in the tree path between the root and the target leaf node that represents an XML element mapped with multiple instances;
• and
• means, recorded on the recording medium, for adding the target leaf node to the transformation rule.