System and method for software learning

• US 20040259060A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Liqwid Krystal India Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Liqwid Krystal India Private Limited
• Inventors: Basak, Gargi, Babu, Chrandrashekar, Kumar, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US10/496,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259060A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/118
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0053 Computers, e.g. programming

Abstract

A network-based software-learning system operates independently of a user'"'"'s computer by providing a protected learning environment. The learning environment, integrated into a backend server, includes user interface, software interface and communication interface. The software-learning system provides a system and methods that facilitates a user'"'"'s acquiring “hands on” experience of any software-learning module without risking damage to either server or client machines.

A virtual workspace allows readers of technology books, in print or electronic format to execute sample code from the books, viewing the result instantly. Users write, compile and run real code as they acquire knowledge from the book. The software-learning system is enabled for learning compiled programming languages as well as interpreted languages, possessing a streaming capability that allows the user to view any type of output.

Claims

1. A system for software learning, said system comprising:

at least one external software learning module;

a virtual workspace, wherein critical components of a user'"'"'s computer are protected from damage resulting from user error, said workspace duplicating experience of computer programming without requiring installation of programming software on said user'"'"'s computer; and

wherein said user accesses said learning module by means of said virtual workspace.

2. The system of claim 1, said system further comprising:

at least one server; and

a client in communication with said server;

said server including means for streaming graphical output to said client.

3. The system of claim 2, said server and said client communicating across any of:

a publicly accessible telecommunication network;

a local area network;

a wide area network; and

a virtual private network

4. The system of claim 2, said server and said client communicating through any of:

a dial-up connection;

a cable modem connection;

a DSL connection;

an ISDN connection;

a hard-wired network connection;

a wireless connection; and

a satellite connection.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said virtual workspace comprises:

programming software installed on said server.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said programming software includes any of:

at least one execution environment;

at least one compiler;

at least one interpreter;

at least one database-programming environment; and

at least one execution environment for Web technologies.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said software runs in a protected environment, said protected environment comprising a sandbox, a separate sandbox provided for each user session, wherein said sandbox ensures a high degree of control over a program'"'"'s use of system resources, and

wherein said sandbox ensures that said program does not violate server security constraints.

8. The system of claim 2, said server further comprising any of:

means for managing files;

means for sending a file MIME type to said client in response to a request for a file from said client, wherein receipt of said MIME type invokes an application providing a user interface;

means for generating an output window on said client;

means for streaming textual and graphical output to said client;

means for managing sessions and users; and

means for managing quizzes.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein said client comprises:

a web browser; and

a helper application, said helper application invoked upon receipt of an appropriate MIME type from said server.

10. The system of claim 9, said client further comprising any of means for parsing files included in said learning module;

a communications interface;

a quiz system interaction component;

a user interface manager; and

a file manager.

11. The system of claim 9, said virtual workspace further comprising a user interface, said user interface being generated by said helper application in concert with said browser.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein learning modules are stored on said server, a learning module including at least one descriptor file and a plurality of source code examples.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a descriptor file comprises any of:

an XML file; and

an HTML file.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein a user requests a learning module by activating a corresponding link, wherein activating said link requests said module from said server.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said learning module files have a unique MIME type, and wherein said server sends said MIME type to said client upon receiving a request for a learning module;

wherein receipt of said MIME type on said client causes invocation of said helper application, whereupon said user interface is generated.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said helper application initiates a user session on said server, and requests a descriptor file for said requested learning module.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein a descriptor file received at said client is parsed, and at least a portion of said learning module is displayed in a pane of said user interface.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein a user requests one or more source code examples from a list of examples, and wherein said requested source code example is sent from said server and displayed in a pane of said user interface.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a user sends a compile request to said server, wherein said requested source code example is compiled on said server.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein a user sends a run request to said server, wherein said compiled source code example is executed on said server.

21. The system of claim 20, said user interface further comprising a separate output window generated on said client as needed, and wherein output from said executed code is displayed in said output window.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein a user edits said source code example.

23. The system of claim 12, said user interface comprising means for loading code examples present on a specified page in said learning module.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein a user invokes said application.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein a user requests a learning module by selecting from a list of modules displayed in a pane of said user interface, wherein receipt of said request on said server initiates a user session.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein a user writes source code in an editing pane of said user interface.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said source code is compiled and executed on said server, and output is displayed on said client in a separate output window as needed.

28. The system of claim 2, said virtual workspace further comprising means for debugging source code.

29. The system of claim 2, said virtual workspace further comprising a quiz mode.

30. The system of claim 2, said virtual workspace further comprising means for developing client-server applications, including means for any of writing, compiling, running and debugging a plurality of client and server programs simultaneously from within a single user interface.

31. A method for software learning, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one external software learning module;

providing a virtual workspace, wherein critical components of a user'"'"'s computer are protected from damage resulting from user error, said workspace duplicating experience of computer programming without requiring installation of programming software on said user'"'"'s computer; and

accessing said learning module by a user by means of said virtual workspace.

32. The method of claim 31, said step of providing a virtual workspace comprising the steps of:

providing at least one server; and

providing a client in communication with said server;

said server including means for streaming graphical output to said client.

33. The method of claim 32, said step of providing a virtual workspace further comprising the step of:

providing programming software installed on said server.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said programming software includes any of:

at least one execution environment;

at least one compiler;

at least one interpreter;

at least one database-programming environment; and

at least one execution environment for web-based technologies.

35. The method of claim 33, said step of providing a virtual workspace further comprising the steps of:

running said software in a protected environment, said protected environment comprising a sandbox;

providing a separate sandbox for each user session, wherein said sandbox ensures a high degree of control over a program'"'"'s use of system resources, and

wherein said sandbox ensures that said program does not violate server security constraints.

36. The method of claim 32, said step of providing a server comprising any of the steps of providing means for managing files;

providing means for sending a file MIME type to said client in response to a request for a file from said client, wherein receipt of said MIME type invokes an application providing a user interface;

providing means for generating an output window on said client;

providing means for streaming textual and graphical server output to said client;

providing means for managing sessions and users and;

providing means for managing quizzes.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein said step of providing a client comprises the steps of:

providing a web browser;

providing a helper application, and

invoking said helper application upon receipt of an appropriate MIME type from said server.

38. The method of claim 37, said step of providing a client comprising any of the steps of providing means for parsing files included in said learning module;

providing a communications interface;

providing a quiz system interaction component;

providing a user interface manager; and

a file manager.

39. The method of claim 37, said step of providing a virtual workspace further comprising the step of:

providing a user interface, said user interface being generated by said helper application in concert with said browser.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of storing learning modules on said server, a learning module including at least one descriptor file and a plurality of source code examples.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein a descriptor file comprises any of:

an XML file; and

an HTML file.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of

requesting a learning module by said user by activating a corresponding link, wherein activating said link requests said module from said server.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein said learning module files have a unique MIME type, further comprising the steps of

said server sending said MIME type to said client upon receiving a request for a learning module;

receiving said MIME type on said client;

invoking said helper application, and

generating said user interface.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

initiating a user session on said server by said helper application, and

requesting a descriptor file for said requested learning module.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of receiving a descriptor file at said client:

parsing said descriptor file; and

displaying at least a portion of said learning module in a pane of said user interface.

46. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of,

requesting one or more source code examples from a list of examples by a user;

sending said requested source code example from said server;

displaying said requested source code example in a pane of said user interface.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of sending a compile request to said server by said user;

and

compiling said requested source code example on said server.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the steps of

sending a run request to said server by said user;

and

executing said compiled source code on said server.

49. The method of claim 48, said step of providing a user interface further comprising the steps of:

generating a separate output window as needed; and

displaying output from said executed code in said output window.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of:

editing said requested source code example by said user.

51. The method of claim 40, said step of providing a user interface comprising the step of:

providing means for loading code examples present on a specified page in said learning module.

52. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of:

invoking said application by said user.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of:

requesting a learning module by a user by selecting from a list of modules displayed in a pane of said user interface; and

initiating a user session upon receipt of said request on said server.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of:

writing source code in an editing pane of said user interface by a user.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising the steps of:

compiling said source code on said server;

executing said compiled code on said server;

generating a separate output window on said client as needed; and

displaying output of said executed code on said client in said separate output window.

56. The method of claim 32, said step of providing a virtual workspace further comprising the step of:

providing means for debugging source code.

57. The method of claim 32, said step of providing a virtual workspace further comprising the step of:

providing a quiz mode.

58. The system of claim 32, said step of providing a virtual workspace further comprising the step of:

providing means for developing client-server applications, including means for any of writing, compiling, running and debugging a plurality of client and server programs simultaneously from within a single user interface.

59. A computer program product comprising a tangible medium having computer-readable code embodied thereon, the computer readable code comprising code means for performing a method for software learning, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one software learning module;

providing a virtual workspace, wherein critical components of a user'"'"'s computer are protected from damage resulting from user error, said workspace duplicating experience of computer programming without requiring installation of programming software on said user'"'"'s computer; and

accessing said learning module by a user by means of said virtual workspace.

60. A software learning system, comprising:

at least one external software learning module;

an integrated programming environment, said programming environment including at least one of programming software, a compiler, an interpreter and an execution environment for at least one programming language or database application; and

a single user interface wherein a user accesses said learning module and said integrated programming environment.