Date logic generator

• US 6,044,219 A
• Filed: 04/01/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CA, Inc. (d/b/a CA Technologies) (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Platinum Technology Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lips, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Downs, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US08/825,937
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 395/704, 395/701, 395/702, 707/104
• US Class Current: 717/106
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A utility with which a programmer can generate or alter computer code for a calendaring function, and test the code prior to compilation. Entering the program in edit mode, the programmer locates a portion of the program where code for a calendaring function is to be generated or altered, and invokes the date logic generator. The date logic generator provides an initial window with a choice of calendaring functions, and upon selecting a calendaring function, a parameters window displaying a number of first-level parameters for that function is provided. Depending on the specification of the values of the first-level parameters, sub-windows with second-level parameters may be provided. And, in general, depending on the specification of the values of the n-level parameters, (n+1)-level parameters may be provided in sub-windows. The parameters provided at any instant are only those which have already been specified or those that require specification. When the programmer believes the calendaring function is correctly chosen and its parameter values correctly specified, the operation of the function may be tested by a testing utility without requiring compilation of the computer code. Data for the calendaring function is entered in a testing utility sub-window, and the programmer can compare the testing utility output with an expected output. If the testing utility output and the expected output differ the programmer can modify the function or the function parameter values as appropriate. Further runs of the testing utility and modifications of the parameters of the calendaring function can be performed as needed.

Claims

1. A utility for generating computer code for a calendaring function at a selected location in a computer program edited on a computer system, comprising:

means for presenting a choice of calendaring functions on a display screen of said computer system;

means for selecting said calendaring function from said choice of calendaring functions;

means for presenting a choice of first-level parameter values associated with said calendaring function wherein said first-level parameter values possibly includes both terminal parameter values and non-terminal parameter values;

means for selecting a first-level parameter value from said choice of first-level parameter values;

means for generating said computer code for said calendaring function with said first-level parameter value at said selected location in said computer program;

means for presenting a choice of second-level parameter values if said first-level parameter value is one of said non-terminal parameters; and

means for selecting a second-level parameter value from said choice of second-level parameter values if said first-level parameter value is one of said non-terminal parameter values, and wherein said means for generating generates computer code for said calendaring function with said second-level parameter value, if said first-level parameter value is one of said non-terminal parameter values.

2. A utility for generating computer code for a calendaring function at a selected location in a computer program edited on a computer system, comprising:

means for presenting a choice of calendaring functions on a display screen of said computer system;

means for selecting said calendaring function from said choice of calendaring functions;

means for presenting a choice of first-level parameter values associated with said calendaring function;

means for selecting a first-level parameter value from said choice of first-level parameter values;

means for generating said computer code for said calendaring function with said first-level parameter value at said selected location in said computer program;

means for providing a test value for said first-level parameter value of said calendaring function; and

means for obtaining an output, prior to compilation of said computer code, from said calendaring function with said first-level parameter value equal to said test value.

3. The utility of claim 2 further including:

means for making a second selection of a second calendaring function from said choice of calendaring functions;

means for specifying a second value for a second first-level parameter value associated with said second calendaring function; and

means for generating modified computer code for said second calendaring function with said second first-level parameter value at said selected location in said computer program.