Automatic statement completion

Details Automatic statement completion Automatic statement completion

1998-11-13

2001-10-16

Kulik, Paul V. (Department: 2177)

Data processing: software development, installation, and managem

Software program development tool

Translation of code

C707S793000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06305008

ABSTRACT:

COPYRIGHT NOTICE/PERMISSION
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawing hereto: Copyright© 1998, Microsoft Corporation, All Rights Reserved.
FIELD
This invention relates generally to software development environments, and more particularly to automatic completion of statements.
BACKGROUND
Software programming languages have become more powerful over time through the addition of features and capabilities allowing developers to define procedures and data structures to meet their needs. However, the increased power and capability of modern programming languages has also added to their complexity. In addition, the programs developed using the programming languages have become larger and more complex, with one program typically comprising many different source code files.
As a result, a market for compilers and interpreters—which are computer programs that turn source code of a program into an executable version that can actually be run on a computer—that make programming easier has proliferated. One manner by which compilers and interpreters have become somewhat easier to use is through the use of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE). These environments typically have browsers and editors allowing developers to edit multiple source files. In addition, for object oriented languages, the IDE may also provide a browser allowing the developer to navigate and view the class hierarchy.
While browsers are an improvement to compilers and interpreters, several problems remain. First, in order to look up the definition of a complex data structure, the user must locate the file containing the data structure definition, or must locate the class name in the class hierarchy browser.
Second, the user must locate the data structure definition in the file, which typically involves either scrolling through the file or using a text search capability to search through the file.
Third, once the definition has been located, the user must swap back and forth between the window containing the definition of the structure (either in a file window or a class hierarchy window) and the window in which the developer is currently adding code referencing the structure.
Finally, once the definition has been located, the user must manually insert the appropriate data structure reference into the code window.
SUMMARY
The above-identified problems, shortcomings and disadvantages with the prior art, as well as other problems, shortcoming and disadvantages, are solved by the present invention, which will be understood by reading and studying the specification and the drawings. In one embodiment, a system includes an editor and a completion module. The editor provides an environment for developing source code for a computer program, where the source code has statements, and the statements have expressions and entities. The expressions and entities in the statements can be made up of multiple components.
The completion module is invoked by the editor upon the occurrence of an event. Examples of events include when an identifiable first component is entered, when a hot key is entered, after a mouse cursor has been positioned over a component for a predetermined amount of time, and when a separator character between two components is entered by the developer. The completion module then displays context-sensitive information allowing the developer to rapidly complete the expression.
Thus, embodiments of the invention provide for advantages not found in previous systems. While a programmer is developing or writing source code for a program, in one embodiment the completion module is invoked as the programmer is writing the code. A list of potential completion candidates is presented to the developer, who can then pick the desired candidate or continue typing. The list of candidates is automatically supplied thereby freeing the developer from having to consult printed or on-line documentation, class hierarchies or other source code files. In this manner, development of computer programs is made easier and more productive as compared to previous systems.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4931928 (1990-06-01), Greenfeld
patent: 5813019 (1998-09-01), Van De Vanter
patent: 6016467 (2000-01-01), Newsted et al.
patent: 6061513 (2000-05-01), Scandvva

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