Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1995-06-05
2001-07-24
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C717S152000, C717S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266808
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The following applications of common assignee contain some common disclosure, and are believed to have an effective filing date identical with that of the present application.
“System and Method for Constructing Dialogs for Commands and Templates,” appln. Ser. No. 08/464,534, incorporated herein by reference.
“System and Method for Constructing Computer Programs Using Dialogs and Objects,” appln. Ser. No. 08/462,427, incorporated herein by reference.
“A Computer Program Product for Enabling the Construction of Computer Programs Using Dialogs and Objects,” appln. Ser. No. 08/465,244, incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the construction of computer programs (software), and more particularly to the construction of computer programs using dialogs and objects.
The generation of computer programs is complicated by a number of factors. One factor is the complexity of the syntax and structure of many computer programming languages. Another factor, which relates to a computer program that is intended to control a system (such software is called a system control program), is the complexity of the specification that defines the system. These complicating factors make it difficult for even the most experienced computer programmers to write computer programs, and almost impossible for less experienced programmers to write computer programs.
Consider, for example, a database system environment where periodic system maintenance must be performed to maintain system resources. Such system maintenance involves routine tasks (such as an off-line copy) and non-routine tasks (such as a database recovery operation). These routine and non-routine tasks are performed by generating and executing system control programs. The system control programs are written in an appropriate computer program language, such as Job Control Language (JCL).
The structure and syntax of JCL is complex and difficult to specify. Also, database system environments are often very complex. For example, if a task involved recovering fifty databases, then it would be necessary to know the attributes (such as the name, volume, space, etc.) for all of the databases, so as to construct the proper JCL computer program to perform the recovery task. The collection of such attribute information is very complex. These complexities make it difficult to construct system control programs.
Thus, what is required is a system and method for facilitating the construction of computer programs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention is directed to a system and method for facilitating the construction of computer programs. The invention enables an administrator to define dialogs associated with commands from a computer programming language. According to the invention, users construct computer programs by using the dialogs. In particular, an user invokes a dialog, and then the invention generates code corresponding to a command associated with the invoked dialog. The code is in a form and has a syntax defined by the computer programming language. The code is inserted into the computer program being constructed.
The invention also provides for the construction of computer programs using dialogs and objects. In particular, a plurality of objects each corresponding to a resource in a target environment are defined and instantiated from a plurality of object classes. At least one of the dialogs is associated with each of the objects. An operator selects one or more of the objects (representing the resources in a system), and invokes a dialog associated with the selected objects. The invention generates code that, when executed, applies a command associated with the invoked dialog to each of the selected objects. The code is in a form and has a syntax defined by the computer programming language. This code is inserted in the computer program being constructed.
According to one embodiment, the invention is a computer program product (also called a program storage device) comprising computer readable medium having stored therein control logic. The control logic enables a computer to operate as indicated above, and as further described below.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the digit(s) to the left of the two rightmost digits in the corresponding reference number.
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Ingberg Todd
International Business Machines - Corporation
Powell Mark R.
Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
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