Method and system for reducing an intentional program tree represented by high-level computational constructs

• US 6,070,007 A
• Filed: 06/27/1997
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Simonyi, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Ted T.
• Application Number:
  US08/884,447
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 395/702, 395/703, 395/704
• US Class Current: 717/106
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/33 Intelligent editors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/967 Visual or iconic programming

Abstract

A method and system for generating a computer program in the manner that uses no computer programming language syntax. The system represents a computer program as an intentional program tree, which is a high-level program tree that is a syntax-independent representation using high-level computational constructs. The intentional program tree represents a programmer'"'"'s intent, rather than an implementation of the programmer'"'"'s intent. The programmer creates an intentional program tree using a syntax-independent editor. The editors allows a programmer to directly manipulate the intentional program tree. Because the program is stored as an intentional program tree in a syntax-independent manner, the editor allows the program to select in which of a various programming language the computer program is to be displayed. In addition, the system transforms an intentional program tree to a reduced program tree, which is a program tree comprising low-level computational constructs, in a process called reduction. The reduction process replaces expressions of programmer'"'"'s intents with a representation of one of possible multiple implementations of those intents using low-level computational constructs.

Claims

1. A method for navigating through selection modes for a displayed representation of computational construct that represents a terminal operand, the selection modes including a left selection mode, a tree selection mode, and a right selection mode, the method comprising:

setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode so that, when a further computational construct representing a binary operator is specified, the terminal operand will be a right operand of the binary operator;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode and a user inputs a first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode so that, when a further computational construct is specified, the computational construct representing the terminal operand is replaced by the specified computational construct; and

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the right selection mode so that, when a further computational construct representing a binary operator is specified, the terminal operand will be a left operand of the binary operator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the right selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode; and

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the right selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of a parent computational construct of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

9. A method for navigating through selection modes for a displayed representation of computational construct that represents a unary operator, the unary operator having an operand, the selection modes including a left selection mode, a tree selection mode, a crown selection mode, and a right selection mode, the method comprising:

setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the left selection mode so that, when a computational construct representing a binary operator is specified, the unary operator will be a right operand of the binary operator;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the left selection mode and a user inputs a first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the tree selection mode so that, when a computational construct is specified, the computational construct for the unary operator and its operand is replaced by the specified computational construct;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator in the crown selection mode so that, when a computational construct is specified, the computational construct for the unary operator is replaced by the specified computational construct;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator in the crown selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, navigating a displayed representation of the operand; and

when the navigating of the operand is completed by the user inputting the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the right selection mode so that, when a computational construct representing a binary operator is specified, the unary operator and its operand will be a left operand of the binary operator.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the right selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, navigating the representation of the operand;

when the navigation is the representation of the operand is completed by the user inputting the second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator in the crown selection mode;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator in the crown selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the tree selection mode; and

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the left selection mode.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the left selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the unary operator by applying the second indicator to the parent computational construct.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the unary operator and its operand in the right selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the unary operator by applying the first indicator to the parent computational construct.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

17. A method for navigating through selection modes for a displayed representation of computational construct that represents a binary operator, the binary operator having a left and a right operand, the selection modes including a web selection mode, a tree selection mode, a crown selection mode and a right selection mode, the method comprising:

setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the left selection mode so that, when a computational construct representing another binary operator is specified, the binary operator will be a right operand of the other binary operator;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the left selection mode and a user inputs a first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the tree selection mode so that, when a computational construct is specified, the computational constructs for the binary operator and its operands are replaced by the specified computational construct;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, navigating a representation of the left operand;

when the navigation of the left operand is completed by the user inputting the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in the crown selection mode so that, when a computational construct is specified, the computational construct for the binary operator is replaced by the specified computational construct;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in the crown selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, navigating a representation of the right operand; and

when the navigation of the right operand is completed by the user inputting the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the right selection mode so that, when a computational construct representing another binary operator is specified, the binary operator and its operands will be a left operand of the other binary operator.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the right selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, navigating the representation of the right operand;

when the navigation of the right operand is complete by the user inputting the second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in the crown selection mode;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in the crown selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, navigating the left operand;

when the navigation of the left operand is complete by the user inputting the second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the tree selection mode; and

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the left selection mode.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the left selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the binary operator by applying the second indicator to the parent computational construct.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator and its operands in the right selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the binary operator by applying the first indicator to the parent computational construct.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

29. The method of claim 20 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

25. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct having zero or more operands, comprising:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of a binary operator, setting the computational construct to be a right operand of the binary operator; and

when the received input is a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the representation of a computational construct and its operands in a tree selection type so that when the user inputs a binary operator the computational construct and its operands will be replaced by the binary operator.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

27. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct, comprising:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of another computational construct, replacing the computational construct and any of its operands by the other computational construct; and

when the received input is a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in a crown selection mode so that when the user then inputs another computational construct the computational construct will be replaced by the other computational construct.

28. The method of claim 27, further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of computational construct by applying the second indicator to the parent computational construct.

30. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct, comprising:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of another computational construct, replacing the computational construct and any of its operands by the other computational construct; and

when the received input is a first indicator, navigating a representation of a left operand of the computational construct.

31. The method of claim 30 further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in a left selection mode so that when the user inputs a specification of a binary operator the computational construct will be a right operand of the binary operator.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

33. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct having at least one operand including a left operand, comprising:

navigating the left operand of the computational construct; and

when the navigation of the left operand is completed by a user inputting a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the representation of the computational construct in a crown selection mode so that when the then user inputs a binary operator the computational construct and its operands will be replaced by the binary operator.

34. The method of claim 33, further including:

when the navigation of the left operand is completed by the user inputting a second indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the representation of the computational construct and its operands in a tree selection mode so that when the user then inputs a binary operator the computational construct will be replaced by the binary operator.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

36. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct, comprising:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of another computational construct, replacing the computational construct by the other computational construct; and

when the received input is a first indicator, navigating a right operand of the computational construct.

37. The method of claim 36, further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, navigating a left operand of the computational construct.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

39. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct, comprising:

navigating a right operand of the computational construct; and

when the navigation of the right operand is specified by a user inputting a first indicator, setting a current selection to a right selection so that when the user then inputs binary operator the computational construct will be a left operand of the binary operator.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

41. The method of claim 39, further including:

when the navigation of the right operand is specified by a user inputting a second indicator, setting the current selection to a crown selection so that when the user then inputs another computational construct the computational construct will be replaced by the other computational construct.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

43. A method in a computer for navigating through a representation of a computational construct, comprising:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of binary operator, setting the computational construct to be a right operand of the binary operator; and

when the received input is a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the computational construct by applying the first indicator to the parent computational construct.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

45. The method of claim 43, further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, navigating a right operand of the computational construct.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

47. A method in a computer system for navigating through a representation of a computational construct, comprising:

defining a ordered series of types of selections of the computational construct, the ordered series including a left selection type, a right selection type, a crown selection type, and tree selection type;

receiving input from a user;

when the input is a first indicator, setting current selection to a selection of another type based on the ordered series; and

when the input is a second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of another type based on a reversed order of the series.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the order for the series is left selection type, tree selection type, crown selection type, and right selection type.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

51. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer system to navigate through selection modes for a displayed representation of computational construct that represents a terminal operand, the selection modes including a left selection mode, a tree selection mode, and a right selection mode, by:

setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode so that, when a further computational construct representing a binary operator is specified, the terminal operand will be a right operand of the binary operator;

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode and a user inputs a first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode so that, when a further computational construct is specified, the computational construct representing the terminal operand is replaced by the specified computational construct; and

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the first indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the right selection mode so that, when a further computational construct representing a binary operator is specified, the terminal operand will be a left operand of the binary operator.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 51 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the right selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode; and

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode and the user inputs the second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the left selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 55, further comprising:

when the current selection is the selection of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the right selection mode and the user inputs a second indicator, setting the current selection to the selection of a parent computational construct of the computational construct representing the terminal operand in the tree selection mode.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 57 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

59. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer system to navigate through a representation of a computational construct having zero or more operands, by:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of a binary operator, setting the computational construct to be a right operand of the binary operator; and

when the received input is a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the representation of a computational construct and its operands in a tree selection type so that when the then user inputs a binary operator the computational construct and its operands will be replaced by the binary operator.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein the first indicator is a tab.

61. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer system to navigate through a representation of a computational construct, by:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of another computational construct, replacing the computational construct and any of its operands by the other computational construct; and

when the received input is a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in a crown selection mode so that when the user then inputs another computational construct the computational construct will be replaced by the other computational construct.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, setting the current selection to a selection of a parent computational construct of computational construct by applying the second indicator to the parent computational construct.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 62 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

64. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer system to navigate through a representation of a computational construct, by:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of another computational construct, replacing the computational construct and any of its operands by the other computational construct; and

when the received input is a first indicator, navigating a representation of a left operand of the computational construct.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 64, further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the computational construct representing the binary operator in a left selection mode so that when the user inputs a specification of a binary operator the computational construct will be a right operand of the binary operator.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 65 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

67. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer system to navigate through a representation of a computational construct having at least one operand including a left operand, by:

navigating the left operand of the computational construct; and

when the navigation of the left operand is completed by a user inputting a first indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the representation of the computational construct in a crown selection mode so that when the then user inputs a binary operator the computational construct and its operands will be replaced by the binary operator.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, further including:

when the navigation of the left operand is completed by the user inputting a second indicator, setting a current selection to a selection of the representation of the computational construct and its operands in a tree selection mode so that when the user then inputs a binary operator the computational construct will be replaced by the binary operator.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 67 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.

70. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer system to navigate through a representation of a computational construct, by:

receiving input from a user;

when the received input is a specification of another computational construct, replacing the computational construct by the other computational construct; and

when the received input is a first indicator, navigating a right operand of the computational construct.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further including:

when the received input is a second indicator, navigating a left operand of the computational construct.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 71 wherein the first indicator is a tab and the second indicator is a shift-tab.