Methods and apparatus for reducing the number of server interactions in network-based applications using a dual-MVC approach

• US 7,702,719 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2000
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Leff, Avraham, Betz, Katherine, Rayfield, James Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): OSMAN, RAMY M
• Application Number:
  US09/500,208
• Time in Patent Office: 3,724 Days
• Field of Search: 709201-203, 709/205, 709217-219, 709/223, 709/224, 715/733, 715/747
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

In accordance with a dual-MVC (Model-View-Controller) approach of the invention, the client machine maintains part of the Model, eliminating many round-trips to the server. The invention provides an implementation approach for constructing the frame(s) contained in the client'"'"'s browser software to allow it to be refreshed locally. The invention addresses development and maintenance by specifying a library of functions that a programmer can use to construct the View and Controller on the client machine. When part of the Model is maintained on the client, the client has the ability to respond to user interaction without paying the performance penalty of continually interacting with the server.

Claims

1. A method for use in a client/server system of reducing interactions between a client and server in association with an application being accessed by the client at the server, the method comprising the steps of:

configuring the server to store a model associated with the application and to execute view-generating and controller logic associated with the application; and

configuring the client to store at least a subset of the model associated with the application and to execute at least a subset of the view-generating and controller logic associated with the application;

wherein one or more portions of the application are performed at the client without the client having to interact with the server, and further wherein the client and the server both locally maintain at least a portion of the model and execute the view-generating and controller logic associated therewith.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the client and server communicate over a HyperText Transport Protocol network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the client performs the one or more portions of the application in accordance with browser software running thereon.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the configuring step further comprises the step of partitioning a screen area associated with the browser software into frames.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least a subset of the model, the view-generating and the controller logic associated with the application are associated with at least one frame and one or more views for display in accordance with the application are associated with at least another frame.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one view frame is a visible frame.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one frame associated with the at least a subset of the model, the view-generating logic and the controller logic is not a visible frame.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuring step further comprises forming at least one frame with which application-independent view-generating logic and controller logic is associated.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one application-independent view-generating logic and controller logic frame further has an application-independent model associated therewith.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one application-independent view-generating logic and controller logic frame serves as an application programming interface for developing views to be displayed in accordance with the application.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the views are implemented in accordance with the HyperText Markup Language and the application programming interface is implemented in accordance with the JavaScript language.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a subset of the model, the view-generating and the controller logic associated with the application are downloaded from the server to the client upon demand.

13. A network-based system, comprising:

a server having at least one processor operative to;

(i) store a model associated with an application associated with the server; and

(ii) execute view-generating and controller logic associated with the application; and

a client, coupled to the server via a network, having at least one processor operative to;

(i) store at least a subset of the model associated with the application; and

(ii) execute at least a subset of the view-generating and controller logic associated with the application;

wherein one or more portions of the application are performed at the client without the client having to interact with the server such that interactions between the client and server are reduced, and further wherein the client and the server both locally maintain at least a portion of the model and execute the view-generating and controller logic associated therewith.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the network is a HyperText Transport Protocol network.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the client processor performs the one or more portions of the application in accordance with browser software running thereon.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the client processor is further operative to partition a screen area associated with the browser software into frames.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least a subset of the model, the view-generating and the controller logic associated with the application are associated with at least one frame and one or more views for display in accordance with the application are associated with at least another frame.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one view frame is a visible frame.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one frame associated with the at least a subset of the model, the view-generating logic and the controller logic is not a visible frame.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the client processor is further operative to form at least one frame with which application-independent view-generating logic and controller logic is associated.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one application-independent view-generating logic and controller logic frame further has an application-independent model associated therewith.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one application-independent view-generating logic and controller logic frame serves as an application programming interface for developing views to be displayed in accordance with the application.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the views are implemented in accordance with the HyperText Markup Language and the application programming interface is implemented in accordance with the JavaScript language.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least a subset of the model, the view-generating and the controller logic associated with the application are downloaded from the server to the client upon demand.

25. An article of manufacture for use in a client/server system for reducing interactions between a client and server in association with an application being accessed by the client at the server, comprising machine readable media containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

configuring the server to store a model associated with the application and to execute view-generating and controller logic associated with the application; and

configuring the client to store at least a subset of the model associated with the application and to execute at least a subset of the view-generating and controller logic associated with the application;

wherein one or more portions of the application are performed at the client without the client having to interact with the server, and further wherein the client and the server both locally maintain at least a portion of the model and execute the view-generating and controller logic associated therewith.

26. A method for use in a client/server system of reducing interactions between a client and server in association with an application being accessed by the client at the server, the method comprising the steps of:

configuring the server to;

(i) store a model associated with the application;

(ii) execute view-generating logic associated with the application; and

(iii) execute controller logic associated with the application; and

configuring the client to;

(i) store at least a subset of the model associated with the application;

(ii) execute at least a subset of the view-generating logic associated with the application; and

(iii) execute at least a subset of the controller logic associated with the application;

wherein one or more portions of the application are performed at the client without the client having to interact with the server, and further wherein the client and the server both locally maintain at least a portion of the model and execute the view-generating and controller logic associated therewith;

further wherein, in accordance with such a dual model-view-controller arrangement, a model comprises application data, rules, and algorithms affecting the data, a view comprises a screen or window representation of a subset of the model that the application chooses to display, and a controller comprises the logic that processes user requests, and causes the model to be changed and the view to be refreshed.