Custom assembly to extend a wizard

• US 20060101458A1
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Saad, Stephanie, Skibo, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A custom assembly is registered and supported for extending a wizard, such as a template wizard, to perform custom actions. A data file is provided to a wizard. The wizard generates project files, which are then adjusted based on an assembly with custom code. The assembly with custom code may provide a user-created custom interface that receives user input and adjusts the project files accordingly. These project files may be associated with the template.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a software application comprising:

receiving a data file at a wizard;

generating a plurality of project files via the wizard;

receiving an assembly with custom code; and

adjusting the project files based on the assembly with custom code.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data file comprises an extensible markup language (XML) file and extensions for the XML file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wizard is a template wizard.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the plurality of project files comprises a template engine calling in a template and using files within the template to generate the project files.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the template comprises a template file and the assembly with custom code.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the template registers the assembly to run the custom code.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the project files comprise a customized user interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the project files comprise at least one of a project item, a project, and a multi-project group.

9. A system for software application customization comprising:

a wizard that receives a data file and generates a plurality of project files; and

an assembly with custom code that modifies the project files.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the data file comprises an extensible markup language (XML) file and extensions for the XML file.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the wizard is a template wizard.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a template engine that calls a template that is used to generate the project files.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the template comprises a template file and the assembly with custom code.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the template registers the assembly to run the custom code.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the project files comprise a customized user interface.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the project files comprise at least one of a project item, a project, and a multi-project group.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising:

a wizard component for receiving a data file and generating a plurality of project files; and

an assembly with custom code component for modifying the project files.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the data file comprises an extensible markup language (XML) file and extensions for the XML file.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the wizard component comprises a template wizard.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising a template engine component that calls a template that is used to generate the project files.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the project files comprise a customized user interface.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the project files comprise at least one of a project item, a project, and a multi-project group.

23. A method in a computer system for displaying on a display device a customized user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a plurality of project files via a wizard;

receiving an assembly with custom code from a user;

adjusting the project files based on the assembly with custom code to generate a customized user interface; and

displaying on the display device the customized user interface.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the wizard is a template wizard.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein generating the plurality of project files comprises a template engine calling in a template and using files within the template to generate the project files.