Component-neutral builder interface

Details Component-neutral builder interface Component-neutral builder interface

1997-09-12

2001-04-03

Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)

Data processing: software development, installation, and managem

Software program development tool

Translation of code

C717S152000, C717S152000, C717S152000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06212673

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to programming development environments performed by computers, and in particular, to the use of a dynamic debugging tool usable in a programming development environment for Internet and Intranet applications.
2. Description of Related Art
With the fast growing popularity of the Internet and Intranets, especially Web-based networks, there is also a fast growing demand for Internet and Intranet access to databases. However, it is especially difficult to use relational database management system (RDBMS) software with Web-based networks. One of the problems with using RDBMS software with Web-based networks is the lack of programming development environments that can be used to develop both Web-based and RDBMS-based applications.
For example, Web-based networks operate using the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). HTTP is the protocol used by Web clients and Web servers to communicate between themselves using these hyperlinks. HTML is the language used by Web servers to create and connect together documents that contain these hyperlinks. This protocol and language results in the communication and display of graphical information that incorporates hyperlinks. Hyperlinks are network addresses that are embedded in a word, phrase, icon or picture that are activated when the user selects a highlighted item displayed in the graphical information.
In contrast, most RDBMS software uses a Structured Query Language (SQL) interface. The SQL interface has evolved into a standard language for RDBMS software and has been adopted as such by both the American National Standards Organization (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). Thus, there is a need in the art for methods of accessing RDBMS software across an Internet or Intranet, and especially via Web-based networks.
Simplified development environments for such methods and systems implementing them are also desirable. For example, the visual builder disclosed herein allows visual placement of components (also called controls) on forms. These visual components are usually of one specific type, such as JAVA Applets, OpenDoc parts, or Active-X components, or custom types such as Visual Basic Extension (VBX) components. For maximum flexibility, it is desirable to have components of any type available to the builder to design forms. However, in current systems, this flexible functionality is impeded by the fact that of component types each have particular interface characteristics which are generally different from other component types. There is a need, therefore, for a development capability which supports integration of a wide-variety of user-definable components with different interface characteristics. The present invention satisfies that need.
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 component neutral builder interface.
The interface comprises a dynamic link library (DLL) stored in the memory of and executable by a computer that is communicatively coupled to the user-definable component and the build utility, and a program interface implemented in the DLL which enforces an interface protocol between the component and the utility which has a command set including all interface commands for the user-definable component. In this invention, the instruction set for implementing the component functions can reside in the DLL itself, an external component, or can be shared between the DLL and the external component. A method of implementing a user-definable component in a build utility is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of invoking a DLL when a user-definable component associated with the DLL is selected from a build utility, reading user-definable component data from the user-definable component via the DLL, and implementing the user-definable component in the build utility in accordance with the user-definable component data.


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