Method and apparatus for implementing dynamic function groups in a data processing system
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for designating whether at least one functionality of at least one plug-in program is enabled with respect to an extendable software application to which the at least one plug-in program is associated, the computer implemented method comprising:
- detecting a definition of a set of functionalities in a function group provided by a vendor to an extendable software application;
determining whether the at least one functionality is associated with a project targeted to a particular server environment in which a user is working using the definition of the set of functionalities, wherein the at least one functionality is part of a plug-in program for an extendable software application, wherein the plug-in program provides one or more additional services to the user using the extendable software application, and wherein the extendable software application is a software application that accepts plug-ins developed by third-party vendors;
responsive to the at least one functionality being associated with the project, enabling the at least one functionality with respect to the extendable software application; and
responsive to a change in a state of the project, disabling the at least one functionality with respect to the extendable software application.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, an apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for implementing dynamic function groups in a data processing system. An extensible framework is provided, which provides function groups to amalgamate extended sets of functionality by either vendor or purpose and allows the function groups to be dynamically enabled or disabled within a software application. A user may specify which extended sets of functionality are relevant and when to enable them. With the use of function groups, third party vendors may integrate added functionalities with existing ones in a software application, and indicate when these functionalities should be available to end-users without the need to duplicate code. The invention allows for the construction of other extensible frameworks including wizards, editors, and operations may also be extended with the use of function groups.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for designating whether at least one functionality of at least one plug-in program is enabled with respect to an extendable software application to which the at least one plug-in program is associated, the computer implemented method comprising:
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detecting a definition of a set of functionalities in a function group provided by a vendor to an extendable software application; determining whether the at least one functionality is associated with a project targeted to a particular server environment in which a user is working using the definition of the set of functionalities, wherein the at least one functionality is part of a plug-in program for an extendable software application, wherein the plug-in program provides one or more additional services to the user using the extendable software application, and wherein the extendable software application is a software application that accepts plug-ins developed by third-party vendors; responsive to the at least one functionality being associated with the project, enabling the at least one functionality with respect to the extendable software application; and responsive to a change in a state of the project, disabling the at least one functionality with respect to the extendable software application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computer implemented method for designating which of a plurality of sets of functionalities of a plurality of plug-in programs are enabled with respect to an extendable software application to which the plurality of plug-in programs are associated, the computer implemented method comprising:
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detecting a definition of a set of functionalities in a function group provided by a vendor to an extendable software application; determining whether the extendable software application is being used with respect to a project targeted to a particular server environment in which a user is working using the definition of the set of functionalities, wherein the at least one functionality is part of a plug-in program for an extendable software application, wherein the plug-in program provides one or more additional services to the user using the extendable software application, and wherein the extendable software application is a software application that accepts plug-ins developed by third-party vendors; responsive to the extendable software application being used with respect to the project, enabling at least one set of functionalities, within the plurality of sets of functionalities, with respect to the extendable software application, wherein the at least one set of functionalities is associated with the project; and disabling all non-project functionalities within the plurality of sets of functionalities, wherein the non-project functionalities comprises those functionalities within the plurality of sets of functionalities that are not associated with the project. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A recordable-type medium storing a computer program for designating whether the at least one functionality of at least one plug-in program is enabled with respect to an extendable software application to which the at least one plug-in program is associated, the computer program product comprising:
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instructions for detecting a definition of a set of functionalities in a function group provided by a vendor to an extendable software application; instructions for determining whether the at least one functionality is associated with a project targeted to a particular server environment in which a user is working using the definition of the set of functionalities, wherein the at least one functionality is part of a plug-in program for an extendable software application, wherein the plug-in program provides one or more additional services to the user using the extendable software application, and wherein the extendable software application is a software application that accepts plug-ins developed by third-party vendors; instructions for, responsive to the at least one functionality being associated with the project, enabling the at least one functionality with respect to the extendable software application; and instructions for, responsive to a change in a state of the project, disabling the at least one functionality with respect to the extendable software application.
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9. A recordable-type medium storing a computer program for designating which of a plurality of sets of functionalities of a plurality of plug-in programs are enabled with respect to an extendable software application to which the plurality of plug-in programs are associated, the computer program product comprising:
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instructions for detecting a definition of a set of functionalities in a function group provided by a vendor to an extendable software application; instructions for determining whether the extendable software application is being used with respect to a project targeted to a particular server environment in which a user is working using the definition of the set of functionalities, wherein the at least one functionality is part of a plug-in program for an extendable software application, wherein the plug-in program provides one or more additional services to the user using the extendable software application, and wherein the extendable software application is a software application that accepts plug-ins developed by third-party vendors; instructions for, responsive to the extendable software application being used with respect to the project, enabling at least one set of functionalities, within the plurality of sets of functionalities, with respect to the extendable software application, wherein the at least one set of functionalities is associated with the project; and instructions for disabling all non-project functionalities within the plurality of sets of functionalities, wherein the non-project functionalities comprises those functionalities within the plurality of sets of functionalities that are not associated with the project. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification