Domain model - how things work

As defined in the Terminologies section, we have the concepts of SuperApp, Mini-program/Mini-app, Host App etc. Please refer to this section for more detailed, accurate definitions. Here we provide a recap of these concepts and put them together to explain how things work together.

Treating these concepts as entities, they form a domain model.

Key Concepts and Their Relationships

A native mobile app or software environment (a "Host") can embed a "Mini-program container technology" in the form of a FinClip SDK to instantly turn itself into a SuperApp, in the sense that now it owns its very own "Mini-program Store" and is able to download and run unlimited number of "Mini-programs" contributed by various partner developers ("Partner Generated Contents" or "PGC"). With this approach, the traditional software boundary is redefined - that software components are not longer merely provided by in-house programmers, but by any 3rd party/external parties. Furthermore, these external parties do not necessary have previous business relationship and mutual trust with the owner of the software. 3rd party codes can simply be executed within a SuperApp safely, leveraging the "Security Sandbox" capability as implemented by the "Mini-program container technology" within the FinClip SDK.

SuperApp

• Definition: A class of apps that transcend traditional software boundaries by becoming platforms, capable of running millions of third-party code snippets known as "Mini-Apps" or "Mini-programs" securely within themselves.

• Characteristics:

  • Cover all aspects of life
  • Harness massive business and societal resources
  • Construct digital worlds where users can largely reside without returning offline

• Components:

  • Client-side SDK (e.g., FinClip SDK)
  • Mini-Apps Store/Marketplace
  • Mini-App publishing, staged rollout, and developer portal
  • Data monitoring tools

Mini-App/Mini-program

• Definition: Small applications or programs that run within a SuperApp

• Characteristics:

  • Low development barriers
  • Great mobile user experience
  • Can harness resources across society
  • Enabler of "digitalization"
  • Lifecycle: Development, testing, grayscale/canary release, production release, termination

Host App

• Definition: An app that becomes capable of running Mini-programs once integrated with a SuperApp SDK (e.g., FinClip SDK)

• Relationship: Hosts Mini-programs within its environment

Mini-program Container Technology

• Definition: Technology that isolates each Mini-program within its secure sandbox

• Characteristics:

  • Allows individual instances to run independently
  • Provides dedicated memory, threads, and storage for each Mini-program
  • Makes Mini-programs invisible to one another

Zero Trust

• Definition: A security model that assumes no implicit trust in any person or device inside or outside networks

• Application in SuperApps: Used to securely open up and ingest digital content (including source code) from countless entities without security concerns

FinClip SDK

• Definition: Software Development Kit provided by FinoGeeks that enables SuperApp capabilities

• Functions:

  • Embeds SuperApp frontends into existing mobile apps
  • Supports various operating systems (iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, Mac OS, IoT devices)

FinClip Mini-App Spec

• Definition: Mini-program technology independently defined and developed by FinoGeeks

• Characteristics:

  • Maintains compatibility with mainstream internet Mini-programs
  • Supports related W3C standards

FinClip Security Sandbox

• Definition: A secure environment within the FinClip runtime for executing Mini-program code

• Functions:

  • Isolates and executes Mini-program code
  • Isolates communication or sharing between Mini-programs

Mini-program Runtime Lifecycle

• Definition: The various states a Mini-program instance goes through within the host app

• States: Initialization, visibility, invisibility, destruction

Mini-program Publishing Lifecycle

• Definition: The stages a Mini-program goes through from development to termination

• Stages: Development, testing, grayscale/canary release, production release, termination

Host Lifecycle

• Definition: The lifecycle associated with the mobile operating system and app stores for mobile devices

• Note: Separate from the Mini-program publishing lifecycle

Partner Generated Content (PGC)

• Definition: A strategy employed by SuperApp platforms where business partners and merchant partners develop and publish mini-programs, leveraging partner offerings to serve customers.

• Characteristics:

  • Enables SuperApp platforms to rapidly expand their service offerings
  • Allows partners to leverage the SuperApp's user base and infrastructure
  • Creates a diverse ecosystem of services within the SuperApp
  • Examples: Alipay and WeChat's approach to mini-program ecosystems

Putting them all together

• SuperApp serves as the overarching platform that enables the execution of Mini-Apps/Mini-programs.

• Mini-Apps run within the SuperApp environment, utilizing the SuperApp's resources and capabilities.

• The Host App becomes a SuperApp when integrated with a SuperApp SDK like FinClip SDK.

• Mini-program Container Technology is used within the SuperApp to isolate and secure individual Mini-programs.

• Zero Trust principles are applied to ensure security when running third-party Mini-programs within the SuperApp.

• FinClip SDK provides the necessary tools and capabilities to transform a regular app into a SuperApp.

• FinClip Mini-App Spec defines the standards and specifications for Mini-programs within the FinClip ecosystem.

• FinClip Security Sandbox is a crucial component that implements the Zero Trust model for Mini-program execution.

• The Mini-program Runtime Lifecycle describes how Mini-programs operate within the SuperApp environment.

• The Mini-program Publishing Lifecycle is managed by the SuperApp platform, allowing for controlled deployment and updates of Mini-programs.

• The Host Lifecycle is independent of the Mini-program lifecycles, allowing for separation of concerns between the SuperApp platform and the Mini-programs it hosts.

• The PGC strategy is a fundamental aspect of the SuperApp business model, enabling the platform to offer a wide range of services through partner-developed mini-programs.

• PGC relates directly to the mini-program publishing lifecycle, as partners are the primary creators and publishers of mini-programs within the SuperApp ecosystem.

• The SuperApp platform provides the technical infrastructure (including the SuperApp SDK, Mini-App Store, and developer tools) to support the PGC strategy, allowing partners to easily create, publish, and maintain their mini-programs.

This domain model accurately represents the key concepts and their relationships in the SuperApp and Mini-program ecosystem as described in the document. The terminologies are logically interrelated and form a robust framework for understanding this technology.