Dynamic generic framework for distributed tooling

• US 7,240,072 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McKnight, David K., Turnham, Jeffrey C., Cecco, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIMELL, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/134,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20030097369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 707/100, 707/103.Y, 707/10, 707/1, 717/105, 717/116, 715/500
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/24 Object-oriented
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A dynamic generic framework for distributed tooling comprising a system for creating, storing and manipulating objects, which includes a datastore, a user interface and tools. In a distributed or client-server environment, a virtual datastore is created on the client, through which updates to the user interface and commands to the tools are routed. Commands and updates are transmitted asynchronously through handlers. The objects in the datastore are all of the same kind and have a predetermined generic or uniform attribute set. The schema is comprised of schema objects in the datastore which schema objects are dynamically created by the tools. The user interface perceives and comprehends the schema and utilizes the schema to identify and display objects in the datastore, the relationships therebetween, and the commands that can be executed thereon.

Claims

1. A system for producing and manipulating objects, the system comprising:

(a) a datastore containing datastore objects, the datastore being located on a server, the datastore being connectable to at least one tool for producing or manipulating objects;

(b) a user interface, located on a client, the user interface being configured to display the datastore objects;

(c) a client-server update path for transmitting an object update to the user interface in response to changes to the objects;

wherein the client-server update path comprises;

a virtual datastore, located on the client, the virtual datastore being initialized to contain a copy of the datastore objects;

a server update handler for transmitting an object update from the datastore to the virtual datastore, the virtual datastore being configured to update the copy in response to the object update; and

a client update handler for transmitting an object update from the virtual datastore to the user interface; and

(d) a client-server command path for permitting a user to issue a command to the at least one tool.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the client-server update path further comprises a network connection between the server and the client, and wherein the server update handler is configured to transmit the object update over the network connection.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server update handler is configured to receive and queue requests including a request to transmit the object update, and to perform the requests, including the request to transmit the object update, at predetermined intervals.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the server update handler is configured so as to permit adjustment of the intervals.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the client update handler is configured to receive and queue requests including a request to transmit the object update, and to perform the requests, including the request to transmit the object update, at predetermined intervals.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the client update handler is configured so as to permit adjustment of the intervals.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the client-server command path comprises:

a virtual datastore, located on the client, the virtual datastore being initialized to contain a copy of the datastore objects;

a user-interface-virtual-datastore connection for transmitting the command from the user interface to the virtual datastore;

a client command handler for transmitting the command from the virtual datastore to the datastore;

a server command handler for transmitting a command from the datastore to the at least one tool.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the client-server command path further comprises a network connection between the server and the client, and wherein the client command handler is configured to transmit the command over the network connection.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the client command handler is configured to receive and queue requests including a request to transmit the command, and to perform the requests, including the request to transmit the command, at predetermined intervals.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the client command handler is configured so as to permit adjustment of the intervals.