Parameterized packaging system for programming languages
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a package having a pre-defined set of interface elements in an application development system for a preprocessed computer programming language wherein said package is a programming module, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining a group of package/interface files for said package, said package/interface files each having a different said pre-defined set of interface elements;
reading n interface parameters from a parameterized package usage declaration where n is an arbitrary number;
selecting a one of said package/interface files in response to reading said n interface parameters;
retrieving said one package/interface file; and
loading a set of package/interface symbols defining said pre-defined set of interface elements from said one package/interface file to a symbol table wherein said symbol table contains a global list of symbols known in said preprocessing computing environment.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A parameterized packaging system is provided for programming languages utilizing a preprocessor. A client of a package or facility may choose from among multiple interfaces for the package. Selection of a particular interface is made by passing interface parameters to the package in the package usage declarations. The proper package/interface file containing the definition of the requested interface is returned to the client in response to reading the interface parameters. Each interface of the available group of interfaces for a package is a fixed interface available for querying by a user of the package. Preprocessing is used in the creation of the interfaces as long as the preprocessor macros are only visible to the underlying package implementation and not the package interface. The developer is provided with the flexibility in design possible with the preprocessor as well as fixed and predictable package interfaces.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a package having a pre-defined set of interface elements in an application development system for a preprocessed computer programming language wherein said package is a programming module, said method comprising the steps of:
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defining a group of package/interface files for said package, said package/interface files each having a different said pre-defined set of interface elements; reading n interface parameters from a parameterized package usage declaration where n is an arbitrary number; selecting a one of said package/interface files in response to reading said n interface parameters; retrieving said one package/interface file; and loading a set of package/interface symbols defining said pre-defined set of interface elements from said one package/interface file to a symbol table wherein said symbol table contains a global list of symbols known in said preprocessing computing environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for selecting a package having a pre-defined set of interface elements in an application development system for a preprocessed computer programming language wherein said package is a programming module, said method steps comprising:
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defining a group of package/interface files for said package, said package/interface files each having a different said pre-defined set of interface elements; reading n interface parameters from a parameterized package usage declaration where n is an arbitrary number; selecting a one of said packagerinterface files in response to reading said n interface parameters; retrieving said one package/interface file; and loading a set of package/interface symbols defining said pre-defined set of interface elements from said one package/interface file to a symbol table wherein said symbol table contains a global list of symbols known in said preprocessing computing environment. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification