Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Patrick Chi Wai Wong

Timothy Scott Rice

Andrew R Sterland

Adam D Nathan

A software-implemented workflow engine is described that executes a Web mashup within the context of a Web browser running on a computer. The workflow engine is configured to parse a Web mashup definition obtained from a remote server to identify distinct units of execution within the Web mashup, referred to as components. The workflow engine is further configured to obtain programming logic and metadata associated with each type of component identified in the Web mashup definition from the remote server and to use such information to generate executable versions of the identified components. Finally, the workflow engine is configured to run each of the executable components, thereby executing the Web mashup. The workflow engine is configured to manage the order of execution of each of the executable components so that the Web mashup runs in an optimized and reliable fashion.

Workflow engine for execution of web mashups

A system and method is described for communicating requests from a Web mashup being executed within the context of a Web browser to third-party Web services in a manner that does not violate the Same Origin Policy (SOP) observed by many Web browsers. In one embodiment, a workflow engine operating in the context of a Web browser executes a plurality of executable components comprising a Web mashup. The workflow engine transparently redirects Web service requests generated by the executing components to a proxy server that acts as an intermediate between the workflow engine and third-party Web services. The proxy server, which is not subject to SOP, transmits the Web service requests to the third-party Web service and obtains requested data therefrom. The proxy server further returns the requested data in a manner that is useable by the Web mashup components.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Patrick Chi Wai Wong