Portal composite pattern::Runtime pattern and
Information Aggregation::User Information Access application pattern::Runtime patterns

Overview
Runtime patterns define functional nodes that underpin an Application pattern. The Application pattern exists as an abstract representation of application functions, whereas the Runtime pattern is a middleware representation of the functions that must be performed, the network structure to be used, and the systems management features.

A portal implementation leverages the concept of personalization, multi-device type access, a presentation rendering mechanism, and a business rules engine. These are combined with the ability to search and index content (of various types and formats), provide collaboration, and manage content via a workflow to provide both content aggregation and a collaborative environment.

The Portal composite runtime pattern represents a starting point for most portal implementations, providing a way to identify those functional areas that will likely need to be addressed when considering this type of implementation.

Consequently, the Portal composite runtime pattern represents a preliminary step towards an operational architecture that can be implemented in a target environment to provide secure data aggregation, multi-client access and collaboration.

Portal composite runtime pattern and User Information Access application pattern
(Click a node to get a detailed explanation.)
Design Last Updated: 12-07-2004

In any portal implementation, the ability to locate data and information as it is updated in the system is vital. The value proposition depends, in part, on a portal user’s ability to locate the information he needs. The Portal composite pattern runtime supports this through the search and indexing node. This represents both the ability to free-text search or navigate the content (but only that content that should be available to the user) and to index the content as it is updated.

For more information on this runtime pattern, please see the IBM RedbooksPatterns: Portal Search Custom Design, SG24-6881, and Patterns: Information Aggregation and Data Integration with DB2 Information Integrator, SG24-7101.

What's Next
If you would like to review additional Application patterns, and their corresponding Runtime patterns, return to the Portal: Select Application pattern page.

For a mapping of products that support the Runtime nodes shown above, review the Portal product mapping.