Contract-Based Workflow Design Patterns in M-Commerce

Abstract

This overview describes an object-based workflow paradigm to support long and short duration transactions in a mobile e-commerce (or m-commerce) environment. In this environment, the traditional transaction model needs to be replaced by a more realistic model, called a “workflow model” between clients and servers (peers) that interact, compete and cooperate, realizing an intergalactic client-server program. The various types of task patterns that arise in m-commerce, for example, reservation, purchasing, require a “what if” programming approach consisting of intention and actions for trial-error design before an actual commitment is made. Such an approach enables us to take care of the unpredictable nature of connectivity of the mobile devices and the networks and also provide for the trial and error program design required in m-commerce.