Method and apparatus for generating dips for use with Java beans

• US 6,556,218 B1
• Filed: 12/10/1998
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Alcorn, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/210,197
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 345/749, 345/759, 345/762, 345/763, 345/826, 345/760, 345/825, 345/816, 345/840, 345/845, 345/744-747, 717/1, 717/3, 717/11, 707/100, 709/201
• US Class Current: 715/749
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4492 Inheritance

Abstract

A method and apparatus in a computer for creating a framework for a dip. Settings are displayed for the dip in a graphical user interface. Entries for each setting are received for the dip through the graphical user interface, wherein the overall policies of the dip are formed. A source code for the dip is generated using the selected settings, wherein the source code forms the framework for the dip.

Claims

1. A method in a computer for creating a framework for a dip, tile method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

displaying selections for settings for the dip in a graphical user interface;

receiving selections for settings for the dip through the graphical user interface, wherein selected policies are formed; and

generating a source code for the dip using the selected policies, wherein the source code is generated and forms the framework for the dip;

whereby a user is assisted in creating the dip to modify the behavior of a dippable object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dip includes an interface portion and a logic portion, wherein the generated source code is the interface portion.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

receiving source code for the logic portion; and

compiling the generated code framework and source, code for the logic portion to form the dip.

4. The method of claim 3, where in the generated source code includes an indication identifying a location for placement of the source code for the logic portion.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selections include listeners used by the dip to receive notifications.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selections include methods.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selections include events that will be monitored for by the dip.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selections include properties for the dip.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a preview of the generated source code prior to generating the source code framework for the dip.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating documentation for the dip based on the selected settings.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating information, which allows other objects to identify properties of the dip.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating customizer source code, which allows setting of properties of the dip by a user.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the settings are stored for retrieval at a later time.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating source code for the dip comprises:

using a source code template to generate source code for the dip.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the source code template includes strings that are substituted using settings for the dip.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the stings are located between selected symbols.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is performed in an object oriented programming language.

18. A data processing system in a computer for creating a framework for a dip, the data processing system comprising:

displaying means for displaying selections for settings for the dip in a graphical user interface;

receiving means for receiving selections for settings for the dip through the graphical user interface, wherein selected policies are formed; and

generating means for generating a source code for the dip using the selected policies, wherein the source code is generated source code and forms the framework for the dip;

whereby said data processing system is capable of assisting a user in creating a dip to modify the behavior of a dippable object.

19. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the dip includes an interface portion and a logic portion, wherein the generated source code is the interface portion.

20. The data processing system of claim 19 further comprising:

receiving means for diving source code for the logic portion; and

compiling means for compiling the generated code framework and source code for the logic portion to form the dip.

21. The data processing system of claim 20, wherein the generated source code includes an indication identifying a location for placement of the source code for the logic portion.

22. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the selections include listeners used by the dip to receive notifications.

23. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the selections include methods.

24. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the selections include events that will be monitored for by the dip.

25. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the selections include properties for the dip.

26. The data processing system of claim 18 further comprising:

displaying means for displaying a preview of the generated source code prior to generating the source code framework for the dip.

27. The data processing system of claim 18 further comprising:

generating means for generating documentation for the dip based on the selected settings.

28. The data processing system of claim 18 further comprising:

generating means for generating information, which allows other objects to identify properties of the dip.

29. The data processing system of claim 18 further comprising:

generating means for generating customizer source code, which allows setting of properties of the dip by a user.

30. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the settings are stored for retrieval at a later time.

31. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein the step of generating source code for the dip comprises:

generation means for using a source code template to generate source code for the dip.

32. The data processing system of claim 31, wherein the source code template includes strings that are substituted using settings for the dip.

33. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein the stings are located between selected symbols.

34. The data processing system of claim 18, wherein said displaying means, said receiving means, and said generating means are in an object oriented programming language.

35. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for creating a framework for a dip, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions for displaying selections for settings for the dip in a graphical user interface;

second instructions for receiving selections for settings for the dip through the graphical user interface, wherein selected policies are formed; and

third instructions for generating a source code for the dip using the selected policies, wherein the source code is generated source code and forms the framework for the dip;

whereby said computer program product is capable of assisting a user in creating a dip to modify the behavior of a dippable object.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein said first, said second and said third instructions are in an object oriented programming language.