Complex data merging, such as in a workflow application

A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by at least one processor to perform, at a workflow facility:

• retrieving multiple input components from one or more input sources accessible by the workflow facility, wherein the multiple input components comprises a first input component and a second input component, wherein the first input component contains a first sequence of information conforming to a first record type, wherein the first sequence of information relates to a first plurality of database records of results from a first prior task performed by the workflow facility, wherein the second input component contains a second sequence of information conforming to a second record type, and wherein the second sequence of information relates to a second plurality of database records of results from a second prior task performed by the workflow facility;
• determining a parent/child status between the first input component and the second input component;
• identifying one of the first input component and the second input component as a controlling input component based on the parent/child status between the first input component and the second input component;
• matching each foreign key contained in each of the first plurality of database records associated with the first input component with a corresponding primary key from the second plurality of database records associated with the second input component;
• and
• producing a single merged document based on a result of the matching, wherein a shape, size, format, or a configuration of the single merged document is determined at run-time based on the controlling input component.

A system for complex data merging, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by the at least one processor to perform, at a workflow facility:
• retrieving multiple input components from one or more input sources accessible by the workflow facility, wherein the multiple input components comprises a first input component and a second input component, wherein the first input component contains a first sequence of information conforming to a first record type, wherein the first sequence of information relates to a first plurality of database records of results from a first prior task performed by the workflow facility, wherein the second input component contains a second sequence of information conforming to a second record type, and wherein the second sequence of information relates to a second plurality of database records of results from a second prior task performed by the workflow facility;
• determining a parent/child status between the first input component and the second input component;
• identifying one of the first input component and the second input component as a controlling input component based on the parent/child status between the first input component and the second input component;
• matching each foreign key contained in each of the first plurality of database records associated with the first input component with a corresponding primary key from the second plurality of database records associated with the second input component;
• and
• producing a single merged document based on a result of the matching, wherein a shape, size, format, or a configuration of the single merged document is determined at run-time based on the controlling input component.