JPH04213730A - Program converting system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To execute a program in new environment by automatically adapting the program in a specified computer operation environment to a different computer operation environment. CONSTITUTION: A computer means 21 is provided which is equipped with user interfaces 23 such as a CRT display screen 25, a keyboard 27, and a mouse 29 and a storage means such as an internal memory. A selecting means includes a means which examples an interface function that can be used in 2nd interface environment on the CRT display screen 25. A user selects whether or not which of those functions is built in a specific application program which is currently adapted to the 2nd environment. Those selected functions are transmitted to the selecting means through an interface means, and function code fragments are selected and included in the program which is already adapted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention relates generally to software engineering, and more particularly to software engineering.
The present invention relates to programming tools for automatically adapting computer programs designed for one operating environment to run under another operating environment.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Computers are being used by an increasing number of people for an increasing number of purposes. Until recently, users could only interact with computers by means such as commands and codes typed in from a keyboard, which are relatively difficult to learn and use. In order to make it easier for humans to use computers, various nonverbal output devices, such as displays that display graphics and images, such as computer mice, and input devices have been developed, and are now widely used. It has become.

Another limitation has been that many of the most popular small computers cannot run more than one application program at a time. Even computers capable of running several programs at once, many were only able to provide a user interface with one program at a time. These limitations have now been overcome by operating systems that support the simultaneous execution of several programs, and visual displays that are divided into multiple regions or "windows," each of which allows the user to interact with a separate program. This has been overcome by improved output means such as

The results of these various developments have been improved and combined with each other to form computer operating environments that are characterized, for example, by being "user friendly." An example of such an environment is Microsoft Corp.
．． Microsoft Wind commercially available from
There are ows. Both computers with such an operating environment and the application programs adapted to them are much easier to use than other computers, especially for users without technical training.

As these new operating environments become increasingly popular, a need has arisen for compatible application programs. This requirement can be met, for example, by adapting existing application programs to run in the new environment, or by writing new programs from scratch. Even newly created programs typically contain previously used modules, subroutines, code segments, etc. These reused modules etc. must be adapted to the operation of the environment in which the new program is to run. Furthermore, when writing a new application program, it is often necessary to first write the program without considering the operating environment and then add the interfaces and other mechanisms necessary to adapt the program to the environment in which it will be used. is often easy. Therefore, much of the effort to make new or existing application programs run in a new environment involves adapting existing code.

[0006] Application programs capable of operating in a new environment tend to have extremely complex code, regardless of how they were created. Code complexity increases with the functionality provided by the environment. For example, computer programs that can run in the NewWave environment provided by Applicants, an environment with many features that make both computer systems and application programs exceptionally easy to use, are particularly complex. And it has a large code. Therefore, programs that work in this environment are much easier to use than other programs, but much more difficult to write.

[0007] Software engineers faced with the task of creating application programs that operate in an environment such as NewWave by adapting existing programs or creating new ones are faced with the task of adapting existing programs or creating new application programs that have already been created for another environment. Either you have to significantly modify your code, or you have to write completely new code from scratch. Even if you take the former approach, you will inevitably have to write a considerable amount of code. As a result, program development times tend to be long and, as a result, the resulting products tend to be expensive.

As can be seen from the foregoing, there is a need for an efficient and economical method of adapting application programs to run in new computer environments.

[0009]

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tool for automatically adapting a computer program from one computer operating environment to another and for incorporating the desired functionality of the new operating environment into the adapted application program. It is something.

0010

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly and generally expressed, a tool according to one embodiment of the present invention includes input code executable in a first operating environment, each function code fragment providing a functional capability. code fra
input means for receiving a set of input codes and function code fragments;
It includes selection means for combining selected code fragments, for example by interleaving or modifying them, to form an output code. the output code operates as a computer program under a second operating environment;
It also includes the functional capabilities provided by the selected functional code fragment.

[0011] The selection means includes a set of search code fragments;
Preferably, means are included for selecting one of the fragments, and search means for locating portions of the input code similar to the selected fragment. The search means may include a buffer for holding a portion of the input code and another buffer for holding one or more search code fragments.

A cut-and-paste buffer may be provided for copying input code fragments to one or more desired locations within the output code.

If scanning the input code once is not sufficient to fully adapt the code to the new environment, store the output code in a temporary file and scan it once as input code as needed. Or reprocess it further,
Generate final output code. During these additional passes, both code from the original input file and code from temporary files may be used.

Many types of computer programs can be adapted with tools embodying the principles of the invention. One of the primary uses of these tools is to adapt application programs to work in a new interface environment. When used in this way, the tool presents the user with a sample of the interface features available in the new environment and allows the user to select features that he or she would like to include in the reconfigured program. It is desirable to provide a means to This tool automatically selects code fragments that provide the selected functionality. The user can also submit a text string, e.g. Automatically insert into position.

A method of adapting a computer program according to the invention includes: selecting from an original computer program code fragments that perform essential tasks for the program; functioning according to desired capabilities in a new operating environment; The method includes selecting fragments; and combining the selected fragments to produce a computer program that performs tasks in a new environment and has all desired functional capabilities.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is implemented in a novel tool for adapting computer programs from one operating environment to another. Traditional methods of adapting application programs to run in new environments require software engineers to write large amounts of complex code, which is time consuming and expensive.

[0018] The software development tool according to the present invention includes:
Automatically adapting a computer program to run in a new environment, incorporating the desired functional capabilities of the new environment into the adaptive program. The invention allows software engineers, or even novice users, to create applications without writing any new code.
Programs can be quickly and easily adapted to run in new environments.

As shown in block diagram form in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a computer program that executes a defined task under a first operating environment, and executes this task under a second operating environment. to adapt it to run
The entire system is composed of the systems indicated by 11. The input means receive the computer program to be adapted, as indicated by arrow 13. The program is provided in the form of an input file 15 that can be stored, for example, on a floppy disk or in an internal memory. A plurality of functional code fragments are provided in a database file, which can also be stored on a floppy disk or in internal memory. Each functional code fragment operates to provide a desired functional capability under a second operating environment. The system includes selection means for selecting desired code fragments from the input file and from the functional code fragments and for combining these selected code fragments to provide output code, for example in an output file 19. The output code operates as a computer program that performs the defined task under the second operating environment and includes the functional capabilities provided by the selected functional code fragments.

"Combining" of code fragments involves organizing several different parts of the input code and several functional code fragments into an order suitable for operation under a second environment. This can be thought of as "combining" the various pieces, ie "splicing" them one after the other to form the final output code.

The present invention is particularly well suited for adapting computer programs to work in new interface environments, such as Applicant's NewWave windowing environment. In such an application, a complete system embodying the invention would include a computer means 2 comprising a user interface 23, such as a CRT display screen 25, a keyboard 27, and a mouse 29, and storage means, such as an internal memory (not shown).
It is desirable to provide 1. The selection means includes, for example, a CRT.
Means are included for illustrating to the user the interface features available in the second interface environment by displaying them on the display screen 25. The user selects which of these features to incorporate into the particular application program that is now being adapted to run in the second environment. These selections are communicated via the interface means to the selection means, which selects appropriate functional code fragments to include the selected features in the adapted program.

The user interface also serves as a means for receiving text strings that the user may provide for inclusion in interface functionality. For example, a user may wish to display certain words or phrases on the screen at specified times during the operation of a program. The selection means includes means for inserting the text string provided by the user into the interface function along with the function code fragment necessary to include the text string in the interface function.

In some cases, the output code may only be further processed before it is ready for execution in a second environment. Therefore, the temporary file means 31 receives the output code and sends this code back to the selection means so that it can be processed a second time.

A state diagram highlighting the internal workings of a tool embodying the invention is shown in FIG. Broadly speaking, the tool uses a collection of search code fragments, each representing an interface function under a first operating environment. This tool performs a search in the input code and identifies input code fragments that match one of these search code fragments. Input code fragments that are unrelated to interface functionality are not identified during the search. These fragments are related to other aspects of the work that the application program is to perform and are sent to the output unmodified. All input code fragments related to interface functionality may be passed along, replaced, deleted, or inserted at one or more other locations in the output according to the specifications of the second environment. is copied to

It will be clear that some of the input code may be used as is in the output code, in the form of relatively large fragments, or even in the form of entire blocks. Other parts of the input code may be modified. This modification operation may be one or more of deletion, insertion, reorganization, and the like. Still other parts of the input code can simply be deleted or replaced with others. For example, a portion of the input code that performs a certain functional capability in a first operating environment may be completely removed, and one or more input codes that perform a similar or equivalent functional capability in a second operating environment may be removed. It can also be replaced by a function code segment.

More specifically, using the specifications of the first operating environment, a search code fragment is selected, as indicated by node 33 labeled "select fragment." The search code fragment is included in part 17A of database 17. A search command is generated as shown by command arrow 35 from node 33 labeled "Fragment Selection" to node 37 labeled "Buffer Search."

In response to a search command, a command to fetch an input code is sent from a node 37 labeled "Buffer Search" to a node 41 labeled "Get Input Code" at command arrow 39. Generated as shown. In response to this latter command, input code is fetched from input file 15 as shown by code fragment arrow 43 extending to first buffer 45 via node 41 labeled "Get Input Code."

In addition, in response to the search command, the search code fragment fetch command retrieves "search fragment acquisition" from the node 37 written as "buffer search".
It is generated as shown by the command arrow pointing to node 49 labeled . In response to this command, a search code fragment is fetched from database 17A as shown by code fragment arrow 51 extending to second buffer 53 via node 49 labeled "Get Search Fragment."

The search operation is performed by comparing the contents of the two buffers 45 and 53. These buffers are large enough to hold large portions of input code and multiple search code fragments at once, thereby allowing several search code fragments to be searched simultaneously. desirable.

Input code fragments and search results are displayed by fragment arrows 55 and 57 extending to node 37 labeled "Buffer Search" and by fragment arrows 55 and 57 extending to node 37 labeled "Buffer Search" or node 37 labeled "Fragment Selection." A search status arrow 59 returns to a node 33 from the first buffer 45 and the second buffer 53, respectively.

The search command can be generated automatically by the system, or it can be generated from the user interface 23 by selecting a node 33 labeled "Fragment Selection".
It can also be given by the user, as shown by the command arrow 61 to .

As mentioned above, some portions of the input code are sent to the output without modification. This is indicated by fragment arrow 63 extending from node 37 labeled "Buffer Search" to node 65 labeled "Output." In addition, cut-and-paste means may be used to save input code fragments and later insert them at desired locations in the output code. This is illustrated by the node 67 labeled "Paste" receiving a paste command, as shown by the command arrow 69 from the node 33 labeled "Select Fragment." In response to a paste command, an input code fragment is sent to paste buffer 71, as shown by fragment arrow 73 extending from node 37 labeled "BUFFER SEARCH" to paste buffer 71.
1 and from the buffer 71 via the node 67 labeled "Paste" and the node 6 labeled "Output".
It is removed from paste buffer 71 at a desired time, as indicated by fragment arrow 75 extending to 5.

The search generally involves determining where in the input code to insert the functional code fragment according to the specifications of the second operating environment or according to the user's preferences regarding the inclusion of functional capabilities in the application program. Determine whether These commands are represented by command arrows 77 extending from node 33 labeled "Select Fragment" to node 79 labeled "Insert Functional Fragment." In response to such a command, a function code fragment is included in the output as shown by fragment arrow 81 extending from database 17B through node 79 labeled "Insert Function Fragment" to node 65 labeled "Output." be forced to

[0034] The user may specify that a text string be inserted into the output code, such as explanatory text displayed by the computer for a given interface function. The text string is
Via the user interface and node 33 labeled "Fragment Selection," as shown by the text string arrow 83 extending from node 33 labeled "Fragment Selection" to node 85 labeled "Add String." Given. As a result, a code fragment is generated that causes the string to be included in the output, as shown by fragment arrow 87 extending from node 85 labeled "Add String" to node 65 labeled "Output."

Regarding strings, the user is not restricted to specifying only short text strings, such as explanatory text for visual display. The text strings that can be included in the output can be of any desired length, and the text can be any type of information that the computer itself can accept. The text string can be, for example, a pointer to a file containing code that the user wants to insert into the application program, or the text string itself can be code that the user has provided for insertion into the program. good.

If the output code requires further processing, the output code is sent to a temporary file, as shown by code arrow 89, which extends from node 65 labeled "Output" to a temporary file.
It is placed in the temporary file 31. This "intermediate" code in temporary file 31 is then fetched for further processing, as shown by fragment arrow 91 extending from temporary file 31 to node 41 labeled "Get Input Code." Original code in input file 15 and temporary file 3
Both pieces of intermediate code in 1 may be fetched as needed.

When the output code is ready for use as an application program in the second operating environment, the output code is displayed as shown by code arrow 93 extending from node 65 labeled "Output" to output file 19. It is placed in file 19.

It will be clear that the system described above can be implemented using a variety of program flow configurations. One such configuration is shown in flow chart form in FIG. First (starting block 101), the code of the computer program to be adapted is placed in an input file (processing block 103). If the procedure must be performed again (decision block 105), the code fragment is obtained from the input file or temporary file as appropriate (decision block 105).
Processing block 107).

The input (or temporary) code fragment may be obtained, for example, by a search based on one or more search code fragments as described above. The fragment thus obtained may be a code that matches one of the search code fragments, or may be a code that does not match any of the search code fragments. If the code matches one of the search code fragments, the code can be deleted, inserted into the output, replaced, or saved for later insertion elsewhere. It may have been determined that If this code is not matched to any search code fragment, then this code is the application program that is needed to perform the program's work in the second environment and is therefore sent to the output unchanged. It is considered to be a functional part of.

If the resulting code fragment is to be included in the output (decision block 109), the code fragment is passed to the output (processing block 111). If the code fragment should be saved for later use (decision block 113), the code fragment is stored in a paste buffer (processing block 115). If a Function Code Fragment Must Be Inserted (Decision Block 117)
, the functional code fragments are obtained from the database and passed to the output according to the desired functional capabilities to be included in the adapted program as described above (processing block 119
). If a previously saved code fragment must be inserted (decision block 121), the code fragment is obtained from the paste buffer and passed to the output (processing block 123). If a text string must be inserted (decision block 125), the text string is passed to the output (processing block 127) along with the necessary function code fragments.

If it is necessary to carry out the procedure again (
Decision block 105), the steps described above are repeated. If so, if the output code is not in its final form (decision block 129), it is stored in a temporary file (processing block 131) and the entire procedure is repeated. If the output code is in its final form (decision block 129), the output code is placed in the output file (processing block 133) and the procedure ends (termination block 1).
35).

[0042] The above process performs the prescribed work in the first
selecting from a computer program running in a second operating environment the code fragments necessary to perform this task in a second operating environment; selecting code fragments from the fragments according to which capabilities are desired; combining the selected code fragments to perform the task in a second operating environment; It can be easily summarized as a method that includes the steps of providing a program. Further, the method preferably includes a user-supplied text string,
There may be a step of inserting this string into the computer program along with the necessary functional code fragments to use it in connection with the functional capabilities of the program. The functional capabilities obtained by functional code fragments are:
Usually, there are interface functions etc. that cannot be used in the first environment.

[0043] As a particular application, the present invention
The applicant's New
It can be configured to be adapted to work with Wave. These programs were originally, for example, Caseworks, a software vendor.
Engineering tools such as tools known as:
It was obtained using a tool. Windows
A program running in an environment generally includes the following file groups. :． C. H Make. DEF. RC These files are processed as input files in accordance with the teachings of the present invention to provide the following output files that can operate in the NewWave environment: . C (revised). H (modified) Make (replaced with a completely new file).
DEF (unmodified). RC (modified) icon (this file may be added). I
During processing, various of these files are placed in temporary files and used to generate the final version. The files listed above as "may be added" may or may not be created depending on the commands you give.

[0044] An example of code modified by deleting and inserting selected code fragments in the adaptation process is shown below: [Before modification] [After modification]

[0045]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained in detail above, the present invention adapts a computer program to operate under a new environment, and at this time, manually generates or modifies computer code. It provides software engineering tools that you don't need. The user selects the desired features of the new environment,
This tool automatically inserts the necessary code into the program to provide these desired functions. This tool allows software engineers or even non-technical users to easily adapt programs from one environment to another as needed.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. Without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention,
Various modifications and changes can be made. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and illustrated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a state diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of the system of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

11: System 15: Input file 17: Database file 19: Output file 21: Computer means 23: User interface 25: CRT display screen 27: Keyboard 29: Mouse 30: Temporary file

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A program conversion system that adapts a computer program that executes a prescribed work in a first operating environment to a second operating environment, having the following (a) to (c): (a) defined; (b) a plurality of functional code fragments each operable to provide a desired functional capability; (b) a plurality of functional code fragments each operable to provide a desired functional capability; c) selecting a desired code fragment from said input code and said functional code fragment in response to an external command, and combining said selected code fragments to perform said defined task in a second operating environment; Selection means for providing an output code operable as a computer program that includes the functional capabilities provided by the selected code fragment. [Claim 2] A program conversion system that provides the following (a) to (d) and adapts a computer program that executes a prescribed work in a first operating environment to a second operating environment: (a) a user; - computer means comprising an interface and data storage means; (b) input means for receiving an input code operable as a computer program for performing a defined task in a first operating environment; (c) located in said data storage means; a plurality of functional code fragments that are configured to provide a desired functional capability; (d) a plurality of functional code fragments that are operable to provide a desired functional capability; selecting a desired code fragment from the code and the functional code fragment;
output code operable as a computer program that combines the selected code fragments to perform the defined task in a second operating environment and includes functional capabilities provided by the selected code fragments; A selection means that gives. 3. A system for reconfiguring a computer program from a first interface environment to a second interface environment, comprising the following (a) to (c):
a) input means for receiving a computer program configured to operate in a first interface environment; (b) a plurality of functional code fragments each providing an interface functionality; (c) said computer program and said functional code. selecting a code fragment from the fragments and combining the selected code fragments into a computer programmer configured to operate in a second interface environment and including interface functionality provided by the selected functional code fragment; Selection means giving the program. 4. A method for adapting a computer program that executes a defined task in a first operating environment to a second operating environment, comprising steps (a) to (c): (a) a defined task; (b) selecting from a computer program that performs a task in a first operating environment the code fragments necessary to perform the task in a second operating environment;
(c) Selecting a functional code fragment from a plurality of functional code fragments, each capable of operating to provide a functional capability, depending on which capability is desired; (c) step (
The code fragments selected in a) and step (b) are combined to provide a computer program that performs the task in a second operating environment and includes the desired capabilities.