Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-02
2001-05-22
Chaki, Kakali (Department: 2762)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237142
ABSTRACT:
This application is also related to the following co-pending and commonly-assigned patent applications:
Application Ser. No. 08/850,858, entitled “OBJECT OUTLINE VIEW FOR GROUPS WITHIN AN OBJECT-ORIENTED SYSTEM,” filed on same date herewith, by Stephen A. Brodsky et al.,;
Application Ser. No. 08/850,214, entitled “METHOD FOR SENDING A MESSAGE TO A GROUP AND THE GROUP BROADCASTS THE MESSAGE TO ITS MEMBERS OR REFERENCES WITHIN AN OBJECT-ORIENTED SYSTEM,” filed on same date herewith, by Stephen A. Brodsky et al.,;
Application Ser. No. 08/850,832, entitled “CHANGE AND ACCOUNTING LOG FOR OBJECT-ORIENTED SYSTEMS,” filed on same date herewith, by Stephen A. Brodsky et al.,;
Application Ser. No. 08/850,838, entitled “MODEL TRACE VIEW FOR OBJECT-ORIENTED SYSTEMS,” filed on same date herewith, by Stephen A. Brodsky et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,199,;
Application Ser. No. 08/850,337, entitled “FRACTAL NESTED LAYOUT FOR HIERARCHICAL SYSTEMS,” filed on same date herewith, by Stephen A. Brodsky,;
Application Ser. No. 08/850,847, entitled “REFERENCE ATTRIBUTES WITHIN AN OBJECT-ORIENTED SYSTEM,” filed on same date herewith, by Stephen A. Brodsky et al.,;
all of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to object-oriented environments, and in particular to a method for synchronizing links and group definitions across an object-oriented system.
2. Description of Related Art
In object-oriented systems, there is often a need to modify classes, objects, attributes and object properties across an object-oriented system. Current methods for modifying definitions or creating objects and classes are not structured and are often complex. Such complex methods often result in numerous errors and inefficiencies throughout the object-oriented system, and are overly inflexible. Current tools allow users to draw links between classes, but do not provide a representation for the link in one-to-many links or many-to-many links in instances of the classes. What is needed, then, is a straightforward, efficient method for synchronizing definitions across an object-oriented system. There is also a need to express relationships between instances of classes in an object-oriented system. There is also a need for a representation of one-to-many links or many-to-many links in instances of classes. There is a further need in the art for a method that allows for a dynamic modification of classes and properties depending on the type of class or property involved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for synchronizing links and group definitions in an object-oriented system. The method comprises the steps of creating a first class and a second class within a memory of a computer, creating a link between the first class and the second class within the memory of the computer, setting a multiplicity value within the memory of the computer to define a first group within the first class and a second group within the second class, creating an instance of the first class in the memory of the computer where the instance is within the first group, changing the group definition in the memory of the computer to include the instance and link the first group to the second group via the created link, and changing the created link in the memory of the computer to reflect the changes in the defined first group.
Various advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described specific examples in accordance with the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5303379 (1994-04-01), Khoyi et al.
patent: 5581760 (1996-12-01), Atkinson et al.
Adjeroh et al., Synchronization Mechanism for Distributed Multimedia Presentation Systems, IEEE, pp. 30-37, 1995.*
Sharifi et al., A Multiple Access Technique for Centralized Multiple Satellite Networking with on-board Processing in the Central Node, IEEE, pp. 145-149, 1988.*
Kimura, T., Object-Oriented Dataflow, IEEE, pp. 180-186, 1995.
Brodsky Stephen Andrew
Gangopadhyay Dipayan James
Grose Timothy James
Lau Rebecca Mei-Har
Mitra Subrata
Chaki Kakali
Chavis John Q.
Gates & Cooper
International Business Machines - Corporation
LandOfFree
Method for synchronization between links and group... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for synchronization between links and group..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for synchronization between links and group... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2509905