User-friendly data binding, such as drag-and-drop data binding in a workflow application
First Claim
1. A computer system for binding a data retention resource to a feature of a software component, the system comprising:
- a display component configured for displaying a graphical indication of the software component, wherein the software component is a form or web form, a graphical indication of the feature of the software component, wherein the feature of the software component is configured to display data or collect data when the form or web form is subsequently accessed by an end user as part of a workflow application, and an indication of an element or node of the data retention resource in a display area adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component, wherein the data retention resource is a database or an XML data retention resource;
at least one input device configured for receiving a user input command to bind the data retention resource to the feature of the software component, wherein the user input command is generated by using the input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data retention resource from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the form or web form and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature of the form or web form; and
a processor component for automatically generating a script that provides executable instructions to bind the data retention resource to the form or web form.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A software facility allows for easy binding of a data component to a feature of a software component. Prior to the binding, a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component are displayed. In addition, an indication of an element of the data component is displayed in a display area approximately adjacent to the displayed software component. The software facility receives a user input command to bind the data component to the feature of the software component. The user input command may include dragging the indication of an element of the data component from the data component display area to the feature of the software component and subsequently dropping it on the feature. As a result, the software facility automatically generates script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component.
-
Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A computer system for binding a data retention resource to a feature of a software component, the system comprising:
-
a display component configured for displaying a graphical indication of the software component, wherein the software component is a form or web form, a graphical indication of the feature of the software component, wherein the feature of the software component is configured to display data or collect data when the form or web form is subsequently accessed by an end user as part of a workflow application, and an indication of an element or node of the data retention resource in a display area adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component, wherein the data retention resource is a database or an XML data retention resource;
at least one input device configured for receiving a user input command to bind the data retention resource to the feature of the software component, wherein the user input command is generated by using the input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data retention resource from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the form or web form and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature of the form or web form; and
a processor component for automatically generating a script that provides executable instructions to bind the data retention resource to the form or web form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method in a computer for binding a data component to a feature of a software component, the method comprising:
-
displaying a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component;
displaying an indication of an element or node of the data component in a data component display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component;
receiving a user input command to bind the data component to the feature of the software component, wherein the user input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data component from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the software component and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature; and
automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A computer-readable medium associated with a script providing instructions for binding a feature of a software component to a data storage component, the script generated by a method comprising:
-
displaying a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component;
displaying an indication of an element or node of the data component in a data component display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the software component;
receiving a user input command to bind the feature of the software component to the data component, wherein the user input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of an element or node of the data component from the data component display area to the graphical indication of the feature of the software component and subsequently drop it on the graphical indication of the feature; and
based on the received input command, causing the script to be automatically generated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method in a computer for binding a feature of a software component to a data storage component, the method comprising:
-
displaying a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component;
displaying an indication of an element or node of the data component; and
receiving a user input command to bind the feature of the software component to the data component, wherein the user input command does not require that the user input code or script to bind the feature of the software component to the data component. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A computer system for binding an XML data element or node to a user interface feature for use to collect or display data in an end user application, the system comprising:
-
means for displaying a graphical indication of the user interface feature;
means for displaying an indication of the XML data element or node in a data display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the user interface feature;
means for receiving a user input command to bind the user XML data element or node to the interface feature, wherein the user input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of the XML data element or node from the data display area to the graphical indication of the user interface feature; and
means for automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the XML data element or node to the user interface feature. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. In a workflow application, a method for binding a database element to a user interface feature, the method comprising:
-
displaying a graphical indication of the user interface feature, wherein the user interface feature is configured for later use by an end user to collect or display data in the workflow application;
displaying an indication of the database element in a data display area approximately adjacent to the displayed graphical indication of the user interface feature;
receiving an input command to bind the database element to the user interface feature, wherein the input command includes using an input device to drag the indication of the database element from the data display area to the graphical indication of the user interface feature; and
automatically generating script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the database element to the user interface feature. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
Specification