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Method for starting processing of an iconic programming system

  • US 5,313,574 A
  • Filed: 10/24/1991
  • Issued: 05/17/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In an iconic programming system having multiple icons executing in a computer system, wherein each icon in said programming system may have zero or more data input connections and zero or more data output connections, and wherein said icons are graphically connected together by a user of the computer system graphically connecting data output connections to data input connections to form a network of icons, a computer implemented method for processing said icons of said network to perform data processing functions represented by said icons, said computer implemented method for processing comprising the steps of:

  • (a) programmatically examining all icons within said network and discontinuing processing if all data input connections of all said icons are not connected to a data output connection of another icon;

    (b) programmatically examining all icons within said network and discontinuing processing if any data input connection of any of said icons is connected to a data output connection of more than one other icon;

    (c) programmatically examining all icons within said network and programmatically scheduling all start icons in said network to be processed before any other icons are processed;

    (d) when said network contains no start icons, randomly scheduling all icons having no data input connections to be processed before any other icons are processed;

    (e) when processing an icon, programmatically scheduling, for processing, all icons connected to data output connections of said icon being processed;

    (f) when an icon is being processed, and said icon contains data input connections that have not received data, either from a current or previous execution of the icon supplying data, discontinuing processing of said icon; and

    (g) processing each said icon of said network of icons after said icon is scheduled and said icon has received data on all said input connections of said icon.

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