Systems, methods and computer program products for building and displaying dynamic graphical user interfaces

• US 6,476,828 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lection, David Bruce, Clark, David John, Unger, Jay, Burkett, Charles Edward, Merrick, Roland Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thai, Cuong T.
• Application Number:
  US09/321,700
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 345/760, 345/853, 345/762, 345/764, 345/765, 345/835, 345/837, 345/841, 707/513, 707/514, 707/515
• US Class Current: 715/760
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for building and displaying dynamic graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that can be updated automatically without requiring code-level modification and recompiling. In response to a request to display a particular GUI on a computer display, an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data group is selected from a plurality of XML data groups and an XML display layout is selected from a plurality of XML display layouts. The selected XML data group includes one or more aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group. XML data items are hierarchically ordered within each of the aggregations of data. The selected XML display layout contains one or more areas that define respective GUI display spaces within which XML data items from the respective aggregations of data can be displayed. XML markup tags associated with each aggregation of data within the selected XML data group are matched with XML markup tags associated with a respective area contained within the selected XML display layout. The XML data items contained within each aggregation of data are rendered in hierarchical order within a respective GUI display space defined by a respective area within the XML display layout.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting one of a plurality of Extensible Markup Language (XML) data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes a first aggregation of data, and at least one XML data item hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data;

selecting one of a plurality of XML display layouts, wherein the selected XML display layout contains a first area that defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed;

matching an XML markup tag associated with the first aggregation of data within the selected data group with an XML markup tag associated with the first area within the selected XML display layout; and

rendering, via a computer display, the at least one XML data item from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items and wherein the step of rendering the at least one XML data item comprises rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space on a computer display.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items, wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items, and wherein the step of rendering the at least one XML data item comprises rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items, wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items are displayed, and wherein the step of rendering the at least one XML data item comprises rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of rendering a GUI control comprises selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

7. A method of displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting one of a plurality of Extensible Markup Language (XML) data groups from a plurality of XML data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes first and second aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group, a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data, and a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the second aggregation of data;

selecting one of a plurality of XML display layouts, wherein the selected XML display layout contains first and second areas, wherein the first area defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed, and wherein the second area defines a respective second GUI display space within which XML data items from the second aggregation of data can be displayed;

matching XML markup tags associated with the first and second aggregations of data within the selected XML data group with respective XML markup tags associated with the first and second areas contained within the selected display layout; and

rendering, via a computer display, the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the first GUI display space and the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the second GUI display space.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the first aggregation of data, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the second area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the second aggregation of data, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display order information.

10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

11. A method according to claim 7 wherein the second area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display format information.

12. A method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of rendering a GUI control comprises selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

14. A method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the second GUI display space.

15. A method according to claim 7 wherein a third aggregation of data containing at least one XML data item is nested within one of the first and second aggregations of data and wherein a third area that defines a respective third GUI display space is nested within one of the first and second areas, further comprising the steps of:

matching an XML markup tag associated with the third aggregation of data with the third area; and

rendering the at least one XML data item from the third aggregation of data within the third GUI display space.

16. A system for displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, comprising:

means for selecting one of a plurality of Extensible Markup Language (XML) data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes a first aggregation of data, and at least one XML data item hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data;

means for selecting one of a plurality of XML display layouts, wherein the selected XML display layout contains a first area that defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed;

means for matching an XML markup tag associated with the first aggregation of data within the selected data group with an XML markup tag associated with the first area within the selected XML display layout; and

means for rendering, via a computer display, the at least one XML data item from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items and wherein the means for rendering the at least one XML data item comprises means for rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space on a computer display.

18. A system according to claim 16 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items, wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items, and wherein the means for rendering the at least one XML data item comprises means for rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items, wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items are displayed, and wherein the means for rendering the at least one XML data item comprises means for rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

20. A system according to claim 16 further comprising means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the means for rendering a GUI control comprises means for selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

22. A system for displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, comprising:

means for selecting one of a plurality of Extensible Markup Language (XML) data groups from a plurality of XML data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes first and second aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group, a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data, and a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the second aggregation of data;

means for selecting one of a plurality of XML display layouts, wherein the selected XML display layout contains first and second areas, wherein the first area defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed, and wherein the second area defines a respective second GUI display space within which XML data items from the second aggregation of data can be displayed;

means for matching XML markup tags associated with the first and second aggregations of data within the selected XML data group with respective XML markup tags associated with the first and second areas contained within the selected display layout; and

means for rendering, via a computer display and without requiring changes and recompiling, the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the first GUI display space and the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the second GUI display space.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the first aggregation of data, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

24. A system according to claim 22 wherein the second area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the second aggregation of data, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display order information.

25. A system according to claim 22 wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

26. A system according to claim 22 wherein the second area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display format information.

27. A system according to claim 22 further comprising means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

28. A system according to claim 27 wherein the means for rendering a GUI control comprises means for selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

29. A system according to claim 22 further comprising means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the second GUI display space.

30. A system according to claim 22 wherein a third aggregation of data containing at least one XML data item is nested within one of the first and second aggregations of data and wherein a third area that defines a respective third GUI display space is nested within one of the first and second areas, further comprising:

means for matching an XML markup tag associated with the third aggregation of data with the third area; and

means for rendering the at least one XML data item from the third aggregation of data within the third GUI display space.

31. A computer program product for displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising:

computer readable program code means for selecting an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data group, wherein the selected XML data group includes a first aggregation of data, and at least one XML data item hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data;

computer readable program code means for selecting one of a plurality of XML display layouts, wherein the selected XML display layout contains a first area that defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed;

computer readable program code means for matching an XML markup tag associated with the first aggregation of data within the selected data group with an XML markup tag associated with the first area within the selected XML display layout; and

computer readable program code means for rendering, via a computer display, the at least one XML data item from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space.

32. A computer program product according to claim 31 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the at least one XML data item comprises computer readable program code means for rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space on a computer display.

33. A computer program product according to claim 31 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items, wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the at least one XML data item comprises computer readable program code means for rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

34. A computer program product according to claim 31 wherein the at least one XML data item comprises a plurality of hierarchically ordered XML data items, wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items are displayed, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the at least one XML data item comprises computer readable program code means for rendering each XML data item within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

35. A computer program product according to claim 31 further comprising computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

36. A computer program product according to claim 35 wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control comprises computer readable program code means for selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

37. A computer program product for displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising:

computer readable program code means for selecting one of a plurality of Extensible Markup Language (XML) data groups from a plurality of XML data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes first and second aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group, a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data, and a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the second aggregation of data;

computer readable program code means for selecting one of a plurality of XML display layouts, wherein the selected XML display layout contains first and second areas, wherein the first area defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed, and wherein the second area defines a respective second GUI display space within which XML data items from the second aggregation of data can be displayed;

computer readable program code means for matching XML markup tags associated with the first and second aggregations of data within the selected XML data group with respective XML markup tags associated with the first and second areas contained within the selected display layout; and

computer readable program code means for rendering, via a computer display, the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the first GUI display space and the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the second GUI display space.

38. A computer program product according to claim 37 wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the first aggregation of data, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

39. A computer program product according to claim 37 wherein the second area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the second aggregation of data, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display order information.

40. A computer program product according to claim 37 wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

41. A computer program product according to claim 37 wherein the second area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display format information.

42. A computer program product according to claim 37 further comprising computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

43. A computer program product according to claim 42 wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control comprises computer readable program code means for selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

44. A computer program product according to claim 37 further comprising computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the second GUI display space.

45. A computer program product according to claim 37 wherein a third aggregation of data containing at least one XML data item is nested within one of the first and second aggregations of data and wherein a third area that defines a respective third GUI display space is nested within one of the first and second areas, further comprising:

computer readable program code means for matching an XML markup tag associated with the third aggregation of data with the third area; and

computer readable program code means for rendering the at least one XML data item from the third aggregation of data within the third GUI display space.

46. A method of displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data group from a plurality of XML data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes first and second aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group, a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data, and a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the second aggregation of data, and wherein a third aggregation of data containing at least one XML data item is nested within one of the first and second aggregations of data and wherein a third area that defines a respective third GUI display space is nested within one of the first and second areas;

selecting an XML display layout, wherein the selected XML display layout contains first and second areas, wherein the first area defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed, and wherein the second area defines a respective second GUI display space within which XML data items from the second aggregation of data can be displayed;

matching XML markup tags associated with the first and second aggregations of data within the selected XML data group with respective XML markup tags associated with the first and second areas contained within the selected display layout;

rendering, via a computer display, the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the first GUI display space and the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the second GUI display space;

matching an XML markup tag associated with the third aggregation of data with the third area; and

rendering the at least one XML data item from the third aggregation of data within the third GUI display space.

47. A method according to claim 46 wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the first aggregation of data, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

48. A method according to claim 46 wherein the second area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the second aggregation of data, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display order information.

49. A method according to claim 46 wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

50. A method according to claim 46 wherein the second area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the step of rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space comprises rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display format information.

51. A method according to claim 46 further comprising the step of rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

52. A method according to claim 51 wherein the step of rendering a GUI control comprises selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

53. A method according to claim 46 further comprising the step of rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the second GUI display space.

54. A system for displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, comprising:

means for selecting an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data group from a plurality of XML data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes first and second aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group, a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data, and a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the second aggregation of data, wherein a third aggregation of data containing at least one XML data item is nested within one of the first and second aggregations of data and wherein a third area that defines a respective third GUI display space is nested within one of the first and second areas;

means for selecting an XML display layout, wherein the selected XML display layout contains first and second areas, wherein the first area defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed, and wherein the second area defines a respective second GUI display space within which XML data items from the second aggregation of data can be displayed;

means for matching XML markup tags associated with the first and second aggregations of data within the selected XML data group with respective XML markup tags associated with the first and second areas contained within the selected display layout; and

means for rendering, via a computer display, the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the first GUI display space and the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the second GUI display space;

means for matching an XML markup tag-associated with the third aggregation of data with the third area; and

means for rendering the at least one XML data item from the third aggregation of data within the third GUI display space.

55. A system according to claim 54 wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the first aggregation of data, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data-items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

56. A system according to claim 54 wherein the second area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the second aggregation of data, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display order information.

57. A system according to claim 54 wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

58. A system according to claim 54 wherein the second area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space comprises means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display format information.

59. A system according to claim 54 further comprising means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

60. A system according to claim 59 wherein the means for rendering a GUI control comprises means for selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

61. A system according to claim 54 further comprising means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the second GUI display space.

62. A computer program product for displaying a requested graphical user interface (GUI) via a computer display, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising:

computer readable program code means for selecting an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data group from a plurality of XML data groups, wherein the selected XML data group includes first and second aggregations of data hierarchically ordered within the selected XML data group, a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the first aggregation of data, and a plurality of XML data items hierarchically ordered within the second aggregation of data, wherein a third aggregation of data containing at least one XML data item is nested within one of the first and second aggregations- of data and wherein a third area that defines a respective third GUI display space is nested within one of the first and second areas;

computer readable program code means for selecting an XML display layout, wherein the selected XML display layout contains first and second areas, wherein the first area defines a respective first GUI display space within which XML data items from the first aggregation of data can be displayed, and wherein the second area defines a respective second GUI display space within which XML data items from the second aggregation of data can be displayed;

computer readable program code means for matching XML markup tags associated with the first and second aggregations of data within the selected XML data group with respective XML markup tags associated with the first and second areas contained within the selected display layout; and

computer readable program code means for rendering, via a computer display, the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the first GUI display space and the plurality of XML data items- from the second aggregation of data in hierarchical order within the second GUI display space;

computer readable program code means for matching an XML markup tag associated with the third aggregation of data with the third area; and

computer readable program code means for rendering the at least.one XML data item from the third aggregation of data within the third GUI display space.

63. A computer program product according to claim 62 wherein the first area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the first aggregation of data, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display order information.

64. A computer program product according to claim 62 wherein the second area contains display order information for the plurality of XML data items contained within the second aggregation of data, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display order information.

65. A computer program product according to claim 62 wherein the first area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the first aggregation of data within the first GUI display space according to the display format information.

66. A computer program- product according to claim 62 wherein the second area contains display format information that defines a format within which the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data are displayed, and wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space comprises computer readable program code means for rendering the plurality of XML data items from the second aggregation of data within the second GUI display space according to the display format information.

67. A computer program product according to claim 62 further comprising computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the first GUI display space.

68. A computer program product according to claim 67 wherein the computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control comprises computer readable program code means for selecting the GUI control based on XML data item type.

69. A computer program product according to claim 62 further comprising computer readable program code means for rendering a GUI control within the computer display, wherein the GUI control is associated with an XML data item displayed within the second GUI display space.