Method and apparatus for a model data structure for accessing and manipulating java beans

• US 6,513,040 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1997
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cook, John Andrew, Folger, Troy Douglas, Becker, Craig Henry, Knutson, James Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Amsbury, Wayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Havan, Thu-Thao
• Application Number:
  US08/968,719
• Time in Patent Office: 1,903 Days
• Field of Search: 707/103, 707/10, 707/203, 707/204, 707/103.R, 707/103.Y, 707/103.Z
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4493 Object persistence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a general container mechanism for storage of object-oriented Java Beans. A repository is created for a persistent collection of items called ManagedBeans. Each ManagedBean contains a structured collection of code and data that makes up a Java Bean. The structured collection consists of items called ManagedBean Elements (MBE) which correspond to different types of code and data. Each ManagedBean Element is a subclass of the generic ManagedBean Element class. Each subclass identifies the different kinds of Bean sub-elements and contains the data contained in the corresponding file, and method that works on this data.

Claims

1. A method, implemented in a computer system, for creating a storage container for a persistent collection of items, comprising the steps of:

storing an object-oriented object in said storage container accessible to a user in said computer system, said storage container having a plurality of related objects in a persistent state; and

creating a collection of persistent files as a subclass of said object within said storage container wherein said persistent files represent different types of code and data for said object.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said object contains a structured collection of code and data accessible by said user as a managed bean.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said subclass identifies a different kind of object element accessible by said user as a managed bean element.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said subclass contains data associated with said collection of files and methods that work on said data.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said managed bean is written to a Java Archive file by the user in said computer system.

6. An apparatus for creating a storage container for a persistent collection of items, comprising:

means for storing an object-oriented object in said storage container accessible to a user in said computer system, said storage container having a plurality of related objects in a persistent state; and

means for creating a collection of persistent files as a subclass of said object within said storage container wherein said persistent files represent different types of code and data for said object.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said object contains a structured collection of code and data accessible by said user as a managed bean.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said subclass identifies a different kind of object element accessible by said user as a managed bean element.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said subclass contains data associated with said collection of files and methods that work on said data.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said managed bean is written to a Java Archive file by the user in said computer system.

11. A computer program product having a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for creating a storage container for a persistent collection of items, comprising:

computer readable means for storing an object-oriented object in said storage container accessible to a user in said computer system, said storage container having a plurality of related objects in a persistent state; and

computer readable means for creating a collection of persistent files as a subclass of said object within said storage container wherein said persistent files represent different types of code and data for said object.

12. A computer program product of claim 11 wherein said object contains a structured collection of code and data accessible by said user as a managed bean.

13. A computer program product of claim 11 wherein said subclass identifies a different kind of object element accessible by said user as a managed bean element.

14. A computer program product of claim 11 wherein said subclass contains data associated with said collection of files and methods that work on said data.

15. A computer program product of claim 12 wherein said managed bean is written to a Java Archive file by the user in said computer system.