Computer method and apparatus for representing a topic in a software modeling system

• US 20070106974A1
• Filed: 11/04/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Shaw, Steven, Leroux, Daniel, McGee, Christie, Chafe, Stephanie
• Granted Patent: US 7,669,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/10 Requirements analysis; Specification techniques

Abstract

A computer method and apparatus for visual modeling software programs represents a topic by providing a respective topic diagram. The topic diagram is non-editable and has non-persisting notation data. The topic diagram demonstrates a respective set of relationships between one or more given elements representative of the subject topic. The topic diagram is derived based on a query which saves search criteria and information that enables an editor to generate the diagram notation data. There are different topic providers for different queries. A topic service manages the topic providers and processes client calls (requests) regarding specific context and query. Queries are end-user customizable and are extensible per topic.

Claims

1. A method for visually modeling software, comprising computer implemented steps of:

representing a subject topic by providing a respective topic diagram, the topic diagram being non-editable and having non-persisting notation data, the topic diagram demonstrating a respective set of relationships between one or more given elements representative of the subject topic;

deriving the topic diagram from a query, the query saving search criteria that enables generation of the topic diagram notation data; and

displaying the topic diagram as derived based on the query.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of preparing the query including using user-indicated context.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said preparing includes enabling user customizations such that parameters of the query are changed by an end-user.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the query is extensible per topic.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising employing a topic query class of data for representing the query and for persisting the query.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising employing a topic provider that responds to a topic request, different topic providers being utilized for different queries.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising managing the topic providers including processing calls regarding a specific context and query.

8. In a visual modeling system having an editor, computer apparatus for visually modeling a software program, comprising:

a topic diagram for representing a subject topic, the topic diagram being non-editable and having non-persistent notation data, the topic diagram demonstrating a respective set of relationships between one or more given elements, representative of the subject topic; and

a query for holding search criteria that enables the editor to generate the topic diagram notation data such that the topic diagram is derived based on the query and subsequently displayed in the editor.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the query is end-user customizable such that parameters of the query are able to be changed by an end-user.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the query is extensible per topic.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a topic query class of data for representing the query and for persisting the query.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a topic provider that responds to a topic request, different topic providers being utilized for different queries.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a topic service managing the topic providers, the topic service processing calls regarding a specific context and query.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the query is prepared for certain use by an end-user through a wizard routine coupled to the editor.

15. A computer system for visual modeling software programs comprising:

topic diagram means for representing a subject topic, the topic diagram means being non-editable and having non-persisting notation data;

query means for holding search information that enables generation of the notation data, such that the topic diagram means is derived based on the query means; and

display means for rendering a view of the topic diagram means as derived.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the query is end-user customizable such that parameters of the query are able to be changed by an end-user.

17. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the query is extensible per topic.

18. A system as claimed in claim 15 further comprising:

a topic query class of data for representing the query and for persisting the query;

a topic provider that responds to a topic request, different topic providers being utilized for different queries; and

a topic service managing the topic providers.

19. A system as claimed in claim 15 further comprising editor routine means coupled to the query means for preparing the query means for certain use according to context and user customizations.

20. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer usable program code for generating and displaying a topic diagram in a visual modeling system, said computer program product including;

computer usable program code for representing a subject topic by providing a respective topic diagram, the topic diagram being non-editable and having non-persisting notation data, the topic diagram demonstrating a respective set of relationships between one or more given elements representative of the subject topic;

deriving the topic diagram from a query, the query saving search criteria that enables generation of the topic diagram notation data; and

displaying the topic diagram as derived based on the query.