DYNAMIC GENERATION OF TARGET FILES FROM TEMPLATE FILES AND TRACKING OF THE PROCESSING OF TARGET FILES

• US 20080162542A1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHANG, PETER HON-YOU
• Original Assignee: CHANG, PETER HON-YOU
• Inventors: Chang, Peter Hon-You
• Granted Patent: US 8,683,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/186 Templates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A target file generation system and method for use by ordinary computer users enable those users to readily generate target files without the requirement that they know the internal layout structures of the target files. The system enables a user to select a template file from a plurality of template files, wherein a template file includes changeable fields associated with corresponding field delimiters and prompting labels, wherein at least two different template files have different quantities of changeable fields. An incomplete software program file containing identifier of variable name locations is accessed. The program file is parsed to locate the variable name locations. Label names obtained from the template file selected by the user are inserted in the variable name locations. The program generates a user interface including inserted label names and user input fields via which the user can provide data corresponding to changeable fields in the template file.

Claims

1. A method for generating a file, comprising:

enabling a user to select a template file from a plurality of template files, wherein a template file includes changeable fields associated with corresponding field delimiters and prompting labels, wherein at least two different template files have different quantities of changeable fields;

accessing an incomplete software program file containing identifier of variable name locations;

parsing the program file to locate the variable name locations; and

inserting the label names obtained from the template file selected by the user in the variable name locations.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising executing the program stored in the program file, wherein the program generates a user interface including the inserted label names and corresponding user input fields via which the user can provide data corresponding to changeable fields in the selected template file.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein the user provided data is inserted into the changeable fields of the template file to generate a target file including the user input data.

4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the target file includes an XML document.

5. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the target file includes a document that supports a Business-to-Business Internet application.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein the Business-to-Business Internet application is a Web service.