Visual Generation of Mobile Applications Based on Data Models

• US 20110154287A1
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sybase Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Sybase Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Yu, Stella, Collins, Cliff, MUKKAMALA, Himagiri
• Granted Patent: US 9,336,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/35 model driven
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/76 Adapting program code to run in a different environment; Porting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44536 Selecting among different versions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44542 Retargetable

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products for mobile device application design are described herein. The method accesses a data model corresponding to a selected mobile platform. The data model is used by a device application designer to generate, model, and debug a mobile application. The data model is used to take into consideration characteristics of the selected platform and a selected mobile device as the application is designed. The application is structured and generated for a selected platform that is independent of the data model, but is cognizant of the selected platform. A simulator models the application user interface (UI) as it will appear on the selected platform. The method performs platform-specific validation and allows for correction of various aspects of a generated application including platform-specific features. The tool generates a graphical image that can guide a developer to either generated code or help files corresponding to framework libraries.

Claims

1. A method for developing a mobile application, comprising:

receiving a mobile platform selection;

accessing a data model corresponding to the selected platform, wherein the data model comprises;

operational characteristics of the selected platform;

pre-defined application screens for the selected platform;

mobile devices supported by the selected platform; and

default input controls for each of the mobile devices supported by the selected platform;

presenting, in an interactive display, the pre-defined application screens;

receiving, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more of the pre-defined application screens;

receiving, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more logical connections between the pre-defined application screens; and

generating source code for the mobile application.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the generating:

receiving a mobile device selection, wherein the selected mobile device is one of the mobile devices supported by the selected platform;

presenting, in the interactive display, default input controls for the selected device; and

receiving, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more input controls to be associated with one or more of the selected pre-defined application screens

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the generating further comprises

validating the source code to detect errors in the mobile application, wherein the validating is based on the data model, the selected platform, the selected pre-defined application screens, the selected device, and the selected input controls.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

modeling, using a device modeler corresponding to the selected platform and device, simulated operation of the mobile application as it would operate on the selected device.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

in response to detecting one or more errors during the validating, launching an agent-based debugger;

receiving, via the debugger, modifications to mobile application source code corresponding to the detected one or more errors; and

modeling simulated operation of the modified mobile application.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising, generating an interactive mind map for the mobile application.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mind map includes at least links between graphical depictions of functional components of the mobile application and corresponding source code.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the mind map includes links between graphical depictions of functional components of the mobile application and corresponding help files.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the agent-based debugger accesses the mind map to enable graphical navigation to source code to be modified.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive display further comprises:

a screen selection canvas and palette for selection of one or more of the pre-defined application screens; and

a screen design canvas for creation of custom application screens.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the data model is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file.

12. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer program logic stored thereon for enabling a processor to generate mobile applications, the computer program logic comprising:

program logic for enabling a processor to receive a mobile platform selection;

program logic for enabling the processor to access a data model corresponding to the selected platform, wherein the data model comprises;

operational characteristics of the selected platform;

pre-defined application screens for the selected platform;

mobile devices supported by the selected platform; and

default input controls for each of the mobile devices supported by the selected platform;

program logic for enabling the processor to present, in an interactive display, the pre-defined application screens;

program logic for enabling the processor to receive, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more of the pre-defined application screens;

program logic for enabling the processor to receive, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more logical connections between the pre-defined application screens; and

program logic for enabling the processor to generate source code for the mobile application.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising:

program logic for enabling the processor to receive a mobile device selection, wherein the selected mobile device is one of the mobile devices supported by the selected platform;

program logic for enabling the processor to present in the interactive display, default input controls for the selected device;

program logic for enabling the processor to receive, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more input controls to be associated with one or more of the selected pre-defined application screens; and

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the program logic for enabling the processor to generate source code further comprises:

program logic for enabling the processor to validate the source code to detect errors in the mobile application, wherein the validating is based on the data model, the selected platform, the selected pre-defined application screens, the selected device, and the selected input controls.

15. A system for developing mobile applications, comprising:

a device application designer module configured to receive a mobile platform selection and access a data model corresponding to the selected platform, wherein the data model comprises;

operational characteristics of the selected platform;

pre-defined application screens for the selected platform;

mobile devices supported by the selected platform; and

default input controls for each of the mobile devices supported by the selected platform;

a screen design module configured to present, in an interactive display, the pre-defined application screens, wherein the screen design module is further configured to receive, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more of the pre-defined application screens;

a control preference module configured to receive, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more logical connections between the pre-defined application screens; and

an application generator configured to generate source code for the mobile application.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

an application generation wizard configured to receive a mobile device selection, wherein the selected mobile device is one of the mobile devices supported by the selected platform,

wherein the application generation wizard is further configured to present in the interactive display, default input controls for the selected device, and wherein the application generation wizard is further configured to receive, via the interactive display, a selection of one or more input controls to be associated with one or more of the selected pre-defined application screens.