Multi-tier view project window

• US 5,953,525 A
• Filed: 03/31/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Glaser, Howard Justin, House, Daniel Edward, Nelin, Constance Jane
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAM, TUAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US08/828,478
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 395/701-704, 395/710, 395/200.33, 395/200.48, 395/682, 395/680, 707/4, 707/1, 707/10, 707/103, 707/104, 707/100, 707/514, 345/356, 345/352, 345/340, 345/433, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 717/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a programming development environment that supports the development of Internet and Intranet applications. More specifically, a visual representation of an application file is displayed in a project window on a monitor connected to a computer. The visual representation comprises a hierarchical view of a project and its components stored in the application file.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of developing computer programs, comprising the steps of:

retrieving an application file from a data storage device connected to a computer; and

displaying a visual representation of the application file in a project window on a monitor connected to the computer, wherein the visual representation comprises a hierarchical view of a project and its components stored in the application file, and wherein the components comprise a project name, a tier-2 application, a tier-3 stored procedure and a tier-3 user-defined function.

2. The method of claim 1 above, wherein:

the project name is at a top level of the hierarchical view;

the tier-2 application is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level;

the tier-3 stored procedure is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level;

the tier-3 user-defined function is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level; and

the tier-3 query is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level.

3. The method of claim 2 above, wherein the tier-2 application is executed by a network server.

4. The method of claim 2 above, wherein the tier-3 stored procedure is executed by a database server.

5. The method of claim 2 above, wherein the tier-3 user-defined function is executed by a database server.

6. The method of claim 2 above, wherein the tier-3 query is executed by a database server.

7. The method of claim 1 above, further comprising the step of publishing the application to a network server and a database server in response to a command entered at the project window.

8. An apparatus for developing computer programs, comprising:

(a) a computer having a monitor and a data storage device connected thereto;

(b) one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for retrieving an application file from the data storage device connected to a computer; and

(c) one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for displaying a visual representation of the application file in a project window on the monitor connected to the computer, wherein the visual representation comprises a hierarchical view of a project and its components stored in the application file, and wherein the components comprise a project name, a tier-2 application, a tier-3 stored procedure and a tier-3 user-defined function.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 above, wherein:

the project name is at a top level of the hierarchical view;

the tier-2 application is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level;

the tier-3 stored procedure is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level;

the tier-3 user-defined function is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level; and

the tier-3 query is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 above, wherein the tier-2 application is executed by a network server.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 above, wherein the tier-3 stored procedure is executed by a database server.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 above, wherein the tier-3 user-defined function is executed by a database server.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 above, wherein the tier-3 query is executed by a database server.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 above, further comprising one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for publishing the application to a network server and a database server in response to a command entered at project window.

15. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for developing computer programs, the method comprising the steps of:

retrieving an application file from a data storage device connected to a computer; and

displaying a visual representation of the application file in a project window on a monitor connected to the computer, wherein the visual representation comprises a hierarchical view of a project and its components stored in the application file, and wherein the components comprise a project name, a tier-2 application, a tier-3 stored procedure and a tier-3 user-defined function.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 15 above, wherein:

the project name is at a top level of the hierarchical view;

the tier-2 application is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level;

the tier-3 stored procedure is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level;

the tier-3 user-defined function is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level; and

the tier-3 query is at a level of the hierarchical view lower than the top level.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 15 above, wherein the tier-2 application is executed by a network server.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 15 above, wherein the tier-3 stored procedure is executed by a database server.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 15 above, wherein the tier-3 user-defined function is executed by a database server.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 15 above, wherein the tier-3 query is executed by a database server.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 15 above, wherein the method further comprises the step of publishing the application to a network server and a database server in response to a command entered at the project window.