Method and system for visual programming using a relational...

Details Method and system for visual programming using a relational... Method and system for visual programming using a relational...

2000-06-16

2004-08-24

Zhen, Wei (Department: 2122)

Data processing: software development, installation, and managem

Software program development tool

Code generation

Reexamination Certificate

active

06782528

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to computer software, and in particular to a method and system for visual programming using a relational diagram that imposes a structured viewport onto the visual program to decrease complexity and increase readability by limiting the amount of visual program the user ever sees at one time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is currently a problem in the software industry with the complexity and readability of methods of visual programming. For example, IBM VisualAge (trademark of IBM Corp.), has visual programming techniques that use visual connection lines superimposed upon the visual composition which ultimately leads to what is commonly referred to as “visual spaghetti code”. It literally becomes like a spider's web of connection lines as the program grows, which may cause the visual program to be unintelligible. Similarly, Sun Java Studio (trademark of Sun Microsystems) uses a method of visual programming utilizing icons with connector lines which ultimately leads to a large circuit board diagram. This method does not scale, and as the size of the program grows, the visual program is not structured enough to avoid complexity and poor readability. Thus, there is a need for a method and system for visual programming using a relational diagram that imposes a structured viewport onto the visual program to decrease complexity and increase readability by limiting the amount of visual program the user ever sees at one time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method, system and computer program product for visually programming software with a relational diagram is provided. A relational diagram is structured in a left-to-right format. Parts/beans of a software application are placed onto the relational diagram to illustrate an inherent visual flow of the application's logic. The structuring of a relational diagram further comprises providing a three column workspace for display of the parts/beans of the software application.
Providing a three column workspace can further comprise providing a center column for placement of a main one of the parts/beans. A left most column is also provided for placement of others of the parts/beans which provide input to the main one of the parts/beans in the center column. In addition, a right most column is provided for placement of still further ones of the parts/beans which receive output from the main one of the parts/beans in the center column. The application logic can be modified when a user adds at least one of the parts/beans directly to any one of the three columns in the workspace.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5537630 (1996-07-01), Berry et al.
patent: 5546519 (1996-08-01), Berry
patent: 5566294 (1996-10-01), Kojima et al.
patent: 5651108 (1997-07-01), Cain et al.
patent: 5850548 (1998-12-01), Williams
patent: 5991535 (1999-11-01), Fowlow et al.
patent: 6054986 (2000-04-01), Kato
patent: 6243092 (2001-06-01), Okita et al.
patent: 6263486 (2001-07-01), Boezeman et al.
patent: 6286017 (2001-09-01), Egilsson
patent: 6336210 (2002-01-01), Taima et al.
patent: 6425120 (2002-07-01), Morganelli et al.
patent: 6425121 (2002-07-01), Phillips
patent: 9915959 (1999-04-01), None
Research Disclosure Bulletin, Jul. 1998, 411110 “Object Oriented Chain Logic Editor and Execution Module”, pp. 984-985.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and system for visual programming using a relational... 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 and system for visual programming using a relational..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and system for visual programming using a relational... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3282677