Dynamic Scripts To Extend Static Applications

• US 20140019936A1
• Filed: 07/12/2012
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Cohanoff, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,966,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45504 Abstract machines for programme code execution, e.g. Java virtual machine [JVM], interpreters, emulators

Abstract

One or more processors receive (a) first software written in a first computer language, (b) user input identifying a first name of a first method in a plurality of methods defined in the first software, and (c) user input identifying a location within a second software that is written in a second computer language different from the first computer language. In response, the one or more processors automatically prepare and store at the user-identified location in the second software, a new instruction formatted in a syntax of the second computer language that invokes the first method identified in the first software by the first name. The second software may be initially created with a first instruction to include at least a first additional name (e.g. “main”) used to invoke execution of the second software, and as a parameter thereof a second additional name identifying the first software.

Claims

1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media comprising a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a first software written in a first computer language;

instructions to receive user input identifying a first name of a first method comprised in a plurality of methods defined in the first software;

instructions to receive user input identifying a location within a second software that is written in a second computer language different from the first computer language; and

instructions to at least one processor to prepare and store at said location, at least a new instruction automatically formatted in a syntax of the second computer language, the new instruction comprising an invocation of the first method identified in the first software by the first name.

2. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein:

the plurality of instructions further comprise instructions to include in the second software, an additional instruction; and

the additional instruction comprises at least a first additional name used to invoke execution of the second software, and as a parameter thereof a second additional name identifying the first software.

3. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 2 further comprising:

instructions to display a plurality of third additional names of variables in the first software;

instructions to receive user input identifying a specific third additional name selected from among the plurality of third additional names; and

instructions to insert in the second software, another instruction comprising the specific third additional name and a second method comprised in a plurality of methods defined in the first software.

4. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 3 wherein:

said another instruction uses the second method to (a) retrieve a value or (b) store the value.

5. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 further comprising:

instructions, responsive to receipt of a command to check syntax, to use introspection on the first software to obtain at least a plurality of names identifying the methods defined in the first software and using the plurality of names in checking syntax of the second software; and

instructions to display a result of checking syntax of the second software.

6. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 further comprising:

instructions, responsive to receipt of a command to execute the second software, to instantiate the first software to obtain an instance and invoke a script engine with the instance passed in its entirety as a parameter, to execute the first method of the first name in the first software.

7. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein:

the second computer language is to be interpreted and the second software is a script;

the first computer language is at least partially compiled and the first software is a program.

8. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein:

the first software has a second name;

the new instruction comprises the second name; and

the plurality of instructions further comprise instructions to receive additional user input identifying the second name.

9. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 8 further comprising:

instructions, responsive to receipt of user input identifying the second name, to at least check that a class extended in the first software is comprised in a predetermined set of classes.

10. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1 wherein:

the new instruction comprises a descriptor for an input parameter of the first method;

the plurality of instructions further comprise instructions to replace the descriptor with additional user input, in response to receipt of the additional user input overwriting the descriptor; and

the descriptor identifies a data type of the input parameter.

11. A method performed in one or more computers, the method comprising:

receiving a first software written in a first computer language;

receiving user input identifying a first name of a first method comprised in a plurality of methods defined in the first software;

receiving user input identifying a location within a second software that is written in a second computer language different from the first computer language;

at least one processor preparing and storing at said location, a new instruction automatically formatted in a syntax of the second computer language, the new instruction comprising an invocation of the first method identified in the first software by the first name.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the method further comprises including in the second software, an additional instruction; and

the additional instruction comprises at least a first additional name used to invoke execution of the second software, and as a parameter thereof a second additional name identifying the first software.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

displaying a plurality of third additional names of variables in the first software;

receiving user input identifying a specific third additional name selected from among the plurality of third additional names; and

inserting in the second software, another instruction comprising at least the specific third additional name, and a second method comprised in a plurality of methods defined in the first software.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein:

said another instruction uses the second method to (a) retrieve a value or (b) store the value.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

responding to receipt of a command to check syntax, by using introspection on the first software to obtain at least a plurality of names identifying the methods defined in the first software and using the plurality of names in checking syntax of the second software; and

displaying a result of checking syntax of the second software.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the second computer language is to be interpreted and the second software is a script;

the first computer language is at least partially compiled and the first software is a program.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

responding to receipt of a command to execute the second software, by instantiating the first software to obtain an instance and invoking a script engine with the instance passed in its entirety as a parameter, to execute the first method of the first name in the first software.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein:

the first software is executed in combination with an initial version of second software prior to preparation and storage of the new instruction; and

the first software is executed unchanged in combination with a current version of second software subsequent to preparation and storage of the new instruction.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the first software has a second name;

the new instruction comprises the second name; and

the method further comprises receiving additional user input identifying the second name.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

responding to receipt of user input identifying the second name, by at least checking that a class extended in the first software is comprised in a predetermined set of classes.

21. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the new instruction comprises a descriptor of an input parameter of the first method;

the plurality of instructions further comprise instructions to replace the descriptor with additional user input, in response to receipt of the additional user input overwriting the descriptor; and

the descriptor identifies a data type of the input parameter.

22. An apparatus for preparing software, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first software written in a first computer language;

means for receiving user input identifying a first name of a first method comprised in a plurality of methods defined in the first software;

means for receiving user input identifying a location within a second software that is written in a second computer language different from the first computer language; and

means for preparing and storing at said location, a new instruction automatically formatted in a syntax of the second computer language, the new instruction comprising an invocation of the first method identified in the first software by the first name.