Method and apparatus for automatic generation of text and computer-executable code

• US 6,035,119 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hodges, C. Douglas, Massena, Jay Loren
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhen, Wei
• Application Number:
  US08/959,300
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 395/701
• US Class Current: 717/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and medium for adding text and text-based components to a Web page hosted on a server. A control, which is run at the designing time of the web page (design-time), when implemented, writes HTML information to a created web page. The created HTML information may include text and other text based components (client and server scripting, applets, ActiveX controls, Java scripting, and other components). Through the use of OLE, the controls incorporate author-friendly capabilities including in-place editing, property sheets, and persistence. Through the use of these controls, authors may automate the web page generation process and eliminate redundant coding.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for authoring information for a client computer which processes the information at run-time comprising the steps of:

(a) developing a first set of instructions in an editor;

(b) incorporating a second set of instructions into said first set of instructions;

(c) storing said first set of instructions into a storage device, wherein said storing step includes the steps of;

1. performing an operation in accordance with said second set of instructions to generate a third set of instructions, and;

2. storing said third set of instructions along side of said second set of instructions within the saved first set of instructions,

wherein the second set of instructions is not processed during run-time and said third set of instructions are only processed at run-time.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

(d) providing selected portions of said third set of instructions to said client.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said third set of instructions control the display at run-time.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said third set of instructions include script for controlling activities of a computer.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein said computer is said client computer.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein said computer is a server hosting information downloadable to said client computer.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said second set of instructions, when processed, enhances a user interface during a design interval.

8. In a client/server system having at least one client computer and a server, a method of generating information for retrieval by said at least one client computer using the information during a run-time interval comprising the steps of:

(a) developing in said server a file having a first set of instructions and a control;

(b) processing during the design interval said control to generate at least one of text information and a second set of instructions; and

,

(c) incorporating said at least one of text information and said second set of instructions in said file,

wherein said control is processed before said run-time interval.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said text information is interpreted as script for implementation on at least one of said server and said client computer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one of said text information and said second set of instructions are in hypertext mark-up language.

11. A computer capable of automatically generating information comprising in combination:

(a) authoring means for authoring a file having a first set of instructions and a control;

(b) processing means for processing said control to generate at least one of text information and a second set of instructions; and

,

(c) incorporating means for incorporating at least one of said text information and said second set of instructions in said file,

wherein said control is processed before a run-time interval.

12. The computer system according to claim 11, wherein said control, when processed, enhances a user interface during a design interval.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

(a) developing a first set of instructions in an editor;

(b) incorporating a second set of instructions into said first set of instructions;

(c) storing said first set of instructions into a storage device, wherein said storing step includes the steps of;

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13 having computer-executable instructions further comprising:

(d) providing selected portions of said third set of instructions to a client.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said third set of instructions control the display during run-time.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein said third set of instructions include script for controlling activities of a computer.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein said computer is a client computer.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein said computer is a server hosting information downloadable to a client computer.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein said second set of instructions, when processed, enhances a user interface during a design interval.

22. The computer system of claim 20, further comprising:

a network for providing selected portions of said third set of instructions to a client computer.

23. The computer system of claim 20, wherein said third set of instructions control the display during run-time.

24. The computer system of claim 20, wherein said third set of instructions include script for controlling activities of a computer.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein said computer is a client computer.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein said computer is a server hosting information downloadable to a client computer.

14. performing an operation in accordance with said second set of instructions to generate a third set of instructions, and;

2. storing said third set of instructions along side of said second set of instructions within the saved first set of instructions,

wherein the second set of instructions is processed before run-time and said third set of instructions are only processed at run-time.

21. A computer system comprising:

a first storage device for storing a control;

an editor for supporting a first platform for developing a first set of instructions and for inserting said control within said first set of instructions;

an interpreter for interpreting said control as at least one command and performing an operation in accordance with said at least one command to generate a third set of instructions; and

,

a second storage device for storing the output of said interpreter including said third set of instructions wherein said control is interpreted before run-time.