Software development system and method using expanding outline interface
US5206950A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/33
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for specifying a computer program. The specified computer program comprises a set of selected program objects, represented by a corresponding set of outline items arranged in a multilevel outline format. These outline items collectively and completely denote the nature and operation of the specified computer program. Each outline item has a set of predefined characteristics, including a set of required children, and a set of optional children, comprising outline items that must/may be included at the next lower outline level when this outline item is used in a computer program. For each outline item in a computer program an expansion denoting flag denotes whether the corresponding outline item has children and whether the display of those children has been enabled. A selected contiguous portion of the multilevel outline is shown on the computer system's display device, showing only outline items whose display is enabled by corresponding expansion display denoting flags. A user interface enables the user to enable and disable expansion of any specified outline items. In response to such changes, the display definition is expanded and collapsed in accordance with …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.