METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR IDENTIFYING AND ENFORCING SOFTWARE FEATURE LIMITS ACROSS DIFFERENT HARDWARE PLATFORMS, SOFTWARE RELEASES, AND TIERS

摘要

Methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying and enforcing software feature limits across different hardware platforms, software releases, and tiers are disclosed. According to one method, a feature limit data structure is stored on the hardware platform. Each entry in the feature limit data structure is indexed by at least a software program identifier, a software release level identifier, and a feature name. When software is initialized, its release level is determined. A feature limit manager separate from the software being initialized is invoked. At least the software program identifier, the release level, and the feature identifier are provided as input to the feature limit manager. The feature limit manager provides a feature limit value. The feature limit value is stored and the software uses the feature limit value to enforce the feature limit during execution.