System and method for providing a visual application builder framework
First Claim
1. A method for use in a computer to build during buildtime executable program code utilizable by an end user during execution at runtime, comprising the steps of:
- generating a proxy object tree during said buildtime comprised of non-runtime proxy objects for creating visible runtime objects visible by said end user at said runtime,said tree being maintained with non-visible pointers tracking relationships between said proxy objects including visual containment for visual runtime objects;
editing said proxy tree by visually manipulating representations of said proxy objects,said representations and said proxy objects being perceptible and unperceptible by said end user during said runtime, respectively, andsaid visual manipulating including storing programming information in said proxy objects for use in said creating visible runtime objects; and
generating automatically a target object tree during said runtime comprised of target objects corresponding to any programmable said runtime object from said proxy object tree.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for implementing an improved visual builder. A proxy tree comprised of proxy objects is visually built. Each proxy object corresponds to a target object in a runtime hierarchical target object tree. Proxy object interfaces, as seen by the user, are decoupled or separately and independently defined from the interfaces of the target objects. Accordingly, arbitrary mapping of proxy properties and operations to IDL attributes and operations is provided for. Visibility and grouping control is also provided to proxy properties and operations whereby the visual builder is not forced to present the exact attributes and operations of the target objects dictated by a given object definition which may be less user-friendly, inappropriate, or unnecessary in a visual builder environment. Provision is further made for the detachment and destruction of the proxy tree after it has realized the corresponding runtime hierarchical target object tree, thereby improving memory consumption at runtime.
260 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for use in a computer to build during buildtime executable program code utilizable by an end user during execution at runtime, comprising the steps of:
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generating a proxy object tree during said buildtime comprised of non-runtime proxy objects for creating visible runtime objects visible by said end user at said runtime, said tree being maintained with non-visible pointers tracking relationships between said proxy objects including visual containment for visual runtime objects; editing said proxy tree by visually manipulating representations of said proxy objects, said representations and said proxy objects being perceptible and unperceptible by said end user during said runtime, respectively, and said visual manipulating including storing programming information in said proxy objects for use in said creating visible runtime objects; and generating automatically a target object tree during said runtime comprised of target objects corresponding to any programmable said runtime object from said proxy object tree. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for use in a computer to build during buildtime executable program code utilizable by an end user during execution at runtime, comprising:
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means for generating a proxy object tree during said buildtime comprised of non-runtime proxy objects for creating visible runtime objects visible by said end user at said runtime, said tree being maintained with non-visible pointers tracking relationships between said proxy objects including visual containment for visual runtime objects; means for editing said proxy tree by visually manipulating representations of said proxy objects, said representations and said proxy objects being perceptible and unperceptible by said end user during said runtime, respectively, and said means for editing including means for storing programming information in said proxy objects for use in said creating visible runtime objects; and means for generating automatically a target object tree during said runtime comprised of target objects corresponding to any programmable said runtime object from said proxy object tree. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification