JPH04337831A - Program start device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a program start device which realizes efficient setting work even if the start of a program is repetitively executed. CONSTITUTION:The necessary program among the programs stored in a magnetic disk is registered in a program icon 33 as an icon for program start. At that time, an input file and an output file, which are used for the program, can be designated. For starting the program, the, program icon 33 is designated and a menu window 35 is provided. Then, the operation result of the program is stored in the output file only by selecting a desired item.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program starting device used to start a program with a desired program name when using an information processing device using a display such as a workstation or computer.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Information processing apparatuses such as workstations and computers usually process information using a display such as a CRT. In such a device,
It is possible to create a desktop environment that simulates the state of an office desk on the display. Under such a desktop environment, various icons such as documents, files, folders, printers for printing, trash cans for discarding documents, etc. are displayed on the screen, and these can be accessed using a pointing device such as a mouse. Information can be processed while specifying it as appropriate, giving the user a sense of familiarity, making it easy to remember, and realizing efficient operations.

[0003] In such a desktop environment, it is assumed that a program being created is started, the results are stored in a predetermined file, and the contents are examined. Conventionally, in such cases, (a) select the program to be started from a list of programs using a pointing device, and then specify a file to store the program's operation results, or Either copy the data representing the name of the selected program to this storage file and execute the program, or (b) a command representing the name of the program, arguments, and file name for storing the program execution results. This was done by typing the following rows on the keyboard.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the former method shown in (a), although it is possible to set general data such as the name of the program to be started, it is necessary to add arguments specific to that program. It was impossible to make detailed settings when starting the program. For example, even if there is a request for output as a result of a program's operation in hexadecimal dump format,
Couldn't do this.

On the other hand, in the latter method shown in (b), a series of commands are entered from the keyboard, so detailed settings can be made regarding program startup and result output. However, in this case, for example, if a program needs to be started many times, such as a program that repeatedly checks its operation while removing bugs, it is necessary to write a series of commands each time, which is cumbersome. Met.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a program starting device that enables efficient setting work even when starting a program is performed repeatedly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a program startup device that allows detailed settings for program startup and output of operation results.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problem] The invention according to claim 1 includes a storage means such as a magnetic disk for storing a program;
A display such as a CRT, a program icon displayed as a predetermined pictogram on the display, a registration means for registering a program stored in the storage means in association with each program icon, and a designation of the icon. A program starting device is provided with an icon specifying means such as a mouse, and a program starting means for starting a corresponding program when a program icon is specified by the icon specifying means.

That is, in the invention described in claim 1, one or more icons for selecting the program itself are prepared as program icons, and programs corresponding to these are registered by the registration means. Then, when a program icon is selected by an icon specifying means such as a mouse, a program registered in advance for that icon is activated, thereby achieving the above-mentioned purpose.

[0010] In the invention as claimed in claim 2, there is provided a storage means such as a magnetic disk for storing a program, a display such as a CRT, a program icon displayed as a predetermined pictogram on the display, and a program icon for each of the program icons. Correspondingly, there is a registration means that registers the programs and also registers the location of the operation result storage means for storing the operation results of those programs and other data in pairs with the program, and an icon specification such as a mouse that specifies the icon. and a program starting means for starting a corresponding program when a program icon is specified by the icon specifying means.

In other words, in the invention as claimed in claim 2, when an icon is specified, not only the corresponding program is selected, but also operation result storage means such as a file that stores the operation results when these programs are started. The location and other data are also registered in pairs with the program, so that when the program to start is selected, the file to store the operation results is also selected, and the output format etc. is also specified and the program is executed. In this way, the above-mentioned objective is achieved.

In the invention as claimed in claim 3, a storage means such as a magnetic disk for storing a program, a display such as a CRT, a program icon displayed as a predetermined pictogram on the display, and a program icon for each of the program icons is provided. A registration means for registering programs stored in the storage means in correspondence with each other in combination with input files and output files to be used; an icon designation means for designating an icon; and a program icon is configured by the icon designation means. An item specifying means for specifying the corresponding item when specified, and a program starting means for starting or operating the corresponding program using the input file of the specified item and outputting the operation result to the output file of the item are programmed. Provided in the starting device.

In other words, in the invention as claimed in claim 3, when a plurality of programs are registered in one program icon, or when the same program uses different input files and output files, they are divided into items. When starting a program, specify the corresponding program icon with the mouse, etc. to display the items, and specify the corresponding items to start the program using the desired input and output files. The above-mentioned purpose is achieved by enabling the activation or operation of the system.

[0014]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of a program starting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This program starting device is configured as a workstation, for example, and includes a CPU 11. CPU
11 is connected to a working memory 13, an input circuit 14, a magnetic disk control device 15, a display control device 16, and a communication control device 17 via a bus 12 such as an address bus and a data bus.

Of these, the working memory 13 is a memory for storing various data and programs temporarily required when controlling this program starting device, and in this embodiment, it is a random access memory (RAM). ) is used. The input circuit 14 is a circuit for inputting data by an operator, and in this embodiment, a keyboard 21 is connected to it. Further, a mouse 22 as a pointing device is connected to the keyboard 21. The magnetic disk control device 15 is a device that controls the magnetic disk 23. The magnetic disk 23 has
In addition to storing various programs to be started by this device, as will be explained later, tables and other fixed data for associating these programs with program icons are also registered. The display control device 16 is a device that controls the display of the display 24 configured by a CRT in this embodiment. The communication control device 17 is connected to other devices (not shown) such as workstations and printers via cables 25, and is capable of inputting and outputting data.

In a program starting device having such a configuration, one icon for starting a program (in this embodiment, this is referred to as a program icon) is provided for each program to be started or for each predetermined one or more programs. ). When starting a program, the corresponding program icon is selected with the mouse to execute the program.

FIG. 2 shows an overview of the work for starting a program by this program starting device. First, the operator of this device uses the mouse 22 to specify the catalog icon initially displayed on the display 24 shown in FIG. 1 to open its contents and display a list of various icons. Then, an unused program icon existing therein is found and displayed on the desktop (display 24) (step S1
01).

FIG. 3 shows a state in which unused program icons are displayed on the display in this manner. In this example, input document icons 311 , 312 , a catalog icon 321 , and an unused program icon 331 are displayed on the display 24, respectively.

The operator sets input information, output information, the name of the program to be started, and the item name in this unused program icon 331 (step S102). As a result, this program icon 3
31 is a registered icon. After registration, the registered contents of the program icon 331 can be changed by changing attributes or the like. When starting the program, the operator selects this program icon 3.
31, open the menu window, and select the appropriate item name from there (step S
103). Then, the specified program is started using the specified input information and output information as arguments (step S104).

FIG. 4 shows a state in which a program is started. Program icon 331
A menu window 35 for "Run "1" is selected from the menu window 35 using the mouse 22 (see FIG. 1), and the program designated as "Run "1"", which will be explained later, is started. It is about to be done.

FIG. 5 specifically shows a part of the work in step S102 shown in FIG. 2, and shows the flow of input settings for a program icon. The input setting here refers to the work of setting an input file. When step S101 in FIG. 2 is performed, an unused program icon 331 is displayed on the display 24. Therefore, the operator clicks this program icon 331 with the mouse 22 and selects "Open" (step S2
01). Thereby, the CPU 11 displays an input setting window on the display 24 (step S202).

FIG. 6 shows a display example of the input setting window. A title display area 42 is provided at the top of the input setting window 41, and the name "Startup Program" is displayed here. Further, directly below this, a mode setting area 43 used when setting various modes is displayed. As will be explained in detail later, when this mode setting area 43 is clicked with the mouse 22, a new menu window for mode setting is displayed.

In the initial state where the input setting window 41 is displayed with no input state set, as shown in FIG.
In the data display area 44 where "input settings" is displayed at the top, no data is displayed below the part labeled "icon name." In this state, the operator specifies the icon of the document or file for which input settings are to be made for the program to be started. This specification is made by selecting the required one from among the plurality of input document icons 311, 312, etc. displayed on the display 24 (see FIG. 3) with the mouse 22, and selecting the one currently displayed as input information. This is achieved by moving to the input setting window inside and copying it (step S203). Of course, icon input settings may be performed using other designation methods, such as by pressing a predetermined function key on the keyboard 21 while the corresponding icon is designated with the mouse 22. The icons copied to the input setting window 41 are displayed in order under the section labeled "icon name" (step S204). That is, in the input setting window 41, one or more input documents or input files can be set for one startup program.

If necessary, the operator can input variable names in correspondence with these icon names (step S205). The variable name is entered by key operations on the keyboard 21. The input variable name is displayed under the section labeled "Variable name" in the input setting window 41.
They are displayed in correspondence with each icon name.

FIG. 7 shows the flow when additional input settings are made for a program icon that has already been created. In this case, the icon of the document or file for which additional input settings are to be made is specified, and is moved and copied onto the program icon 331 as input information (step S301). Then, select this program icon 331 with the mouse 22 and select "Open" from the menu (step S302). Then, the input setting window 41 is displayed in the same manner as described above. The copied input information will be newly displayed in this input setting window 41 (step S303).
. If necessary, the operator can input a variable name in correspondence with this icon name (step S304).
). The input variable name is displayed in correspondence with the icon name.

FIG. 8 specifically shows a part of the work in step S102 shown in FIG. 2, and shows the flow when output settings are made for a program icon. Output settings here refers to the work of setting files for output. To perform output settings, first, the input setting window 41 is displayed on the display 24 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S401). In this state, the mode setting area 43 is displayed at the top of the input setting window 41, as described above. When the operator clicks this mode setting area 43 with the mouse 22, the CP
U11 detects this and displays a menu window for mode setting (step S402). When the item "output settings" in this menu window is selected with the mouse 22 (step S403), an output settings window is displayed instead of the input settings window 41 as shown in FIG. 10 (step S404).

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the display shifts to the output setting window. Output settings window 5
A menu window 45 with the words "output settings" written on it is newly displayed, partially overlapping the mode setting area 43 of No. 1. Since this figure shows the state at the time of transition, the display content of the data display area 44 is unchanged from the setting content of the input setting window 41 shown in FIG.

[0029] In this state, the operator will add data in order to make output settings. At this time, the operator operates the mouse 22 to position a cursor (not shown) on the area 45 and clicks a button. Then, a menu window is opened in the display state of the output setting window 51 (step S405).

FIG. 10 shows the output setting window with the menu window opened. A menu window 46 is displayed adjacent to the mode setting area 43 of the output setting window 51. The menu window 46 is provided with a column labeled "Add item" and a column labeled "Input settings." Data display area 44
The left part of the menu window 46 in
The phrase "output settings" is displayed, indicating that the output settings window 51 is in the display mode. In this display state, the operator can use the field labeled "Additional items" or "
You can use the mouse 22 to select a column labeled "Input Settings." Do not select the column "Additional items" (step S40)
6; N), if you select the "Input settings" field (
Step S407; Y), transition to a mode for input settings as explained in FIG. 5 or FIG.
401).

[0031] In response, the operator selects "additional items".
If you select the column (Step S406; Y)
, one new setting item is added. Initially, the display contents of the data display area 44 shown in FIG. 11 are cleared, and the titles "icon name", "icon type" and "variable name" are displayed, and one item is displayed below these. A blank field for configuration will be displayed. However, in this embodiment, an icon indicating "document" is displayed in advance as a default value for "icon type." In this state, the operator uses the keyboard 21 to enter the icon name of the document to be outputted in the "icon name" field (step S409). If the type of icon set for output is different from the default value, select "Icon Type".
Move the cursor to the position and click the mouse 22,
A menu for selecting an icon is displayed (step S410).

FIG. 11 shows the display state of the output setting window during an operation to display a menu for selecting an icon. In this example, "icon name" in the data display area 44 of the output setting window 51
In the column, an icon name "output document file" is written. Also, in the “Variable name” column, “OUT
An arbitrary variable “1” is entered. Regarding the "icon type" column, by clicking the mouse 22, a menu 52 with the characters "type" written therein is newly displayed. When this menu 52 is selected with the mouse 22 (Y), an icon type window is opened in addition to the output setting window 51 on the display 24 to display a list of mini icons for selecting an icon. (Step S412
).

FIG. 12 shows an example of the icon type window. In the icon type window 55, the words "icon type" are displayed in the title display area 57. Further, below this, two buttons 58 and 59, "Complete" and "Cancel", are displayed. Furthermore, in the area below these, a list indicating the types of icons for which output settings are to be made is displayed. These are, for example, document files, folders, record files, floppy disks, etc. The operator can select the appropriate one from these using the mouse 22. When making this selection, click the desired icon with the mouse 22, invert the display of this icon, and click the "Complete" button (step S4
13). If you do not want to change the settings, click the "Cancel" button. .

[0034] In this way, when the "Complete" button is clicked to end the icon selection, or when the Cancel button is clicked (step S413; Y), the display of the icon type window 55 ends. At the same time, the selected icon is displayed in the "icon type" column of the output setting window 51 (step S41).
4) The setting of the icon type is completed (End).

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the cursor is placed on the program icon and the mouse is clicked to display a menu after the data has been set as described above. As a result, the menu window 35 is displayed as shown in this figure. This menu window 35 displays various types of work contents that can be selected. As shown in the figure, when the item "Execution "1"" is selected with the mouse 22, it is already shown in FIG.
briefly explained. Therefore, the "attribute change" work will be explained next.

FIG. 14 shows the flow of work for changing attributes. Note that the icon name ``Konishi Program'' is displayed on the program icon 331 shown in this figure, but this was added during the ``attribute change'' operation. First, when the window 35 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed and the item "change attributes" is selected (step S501; Y), an attribute change window is displayed on the display 24 (step S502).

FIG. 15 shows an example of the display contents of the attribute change window. This attribute change window 6
In the title display area 62 of No. 1, the title "Arbitrary program attribute change" is displayed. That is,
This "attribute change" operation is for changing the attributes of the program, but in this embodiment, the "attribute change" operation is also used when setting new attributes. Immediately below the title display area 62, “
"Complete", "Cancel" and "Reset" buttons 63~
65 are arranged. Further, at the top of the data display area 66 further below this, a field called "icon name" is provided, and the operator can enter the icon name here as necessary (step S503). )
. In this example, the icon name "Konishi Program" is written. Note that the icon name can be arbitrarily changed while the attribute change window 61 is displayed on the display 24 and before the "Complete" button 63 is pressed.

[0038] Along with setting the icon name, the operator
Item name” can be set arbitrarily (step S5
04). Here, two item names, execution "1" and execution "2", are entered. This is because the program icon 331 is used to select and execute two types of program launches. If a specific program is to be executed in only one execution mode using the program icon 331, only one item name needs to be set. On the other hand, when one execution mode is selected from many execution modes using this program icon 331, item names corresponding to each mode are set.

Note that the menu window 35 shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 displays two items for starting the program: "Run "1"" and "Run "2". This corresponds to setting the two items “Execution “1” and “Execution “2” in the attribute change window 61 of No. 15, and if more or fewer items are set than this, , the number of items displayed in the window 35 also corresponds to this number. Further, the displayed item name is changed to the same item name if the item name in the attribute change window 61 is rewritten.

[0040] Once the item name has been set, the name of the program to be started and its arguments are entered in the ``Start Program Name'' column (step S505). The operator uses the keyboard 21 to enter the "item name" and "startup program name." When all necessary items have been entered or changed in this manner, the operator clicks the "Complete" button 63 with the mouse 22 (Step S506; Y). This closes the attribute change window 61 and ends the attribute change work (end).

[0041] As described above, the program icon 3
The various data set for 31 are finally transferred from the working memory 13 to the magnetic disk 23 and stored therein. In the above explanation, the program icon 331
Although the registration work has been described above, it is also possible to similarly provide icons for other programs and register various data by associating programs to be started with these icons. Once one or more program icons 331, . . . have been prepared in this way, they are used to start the program.

[0042] When starting a program, the operator clicks the corresponding program icon with the mouse 22. If the program icon 331 is clicked, the menu window 35 will open as shown in FIG.
are displayed, and the operator only has to select the item name of the program he or she wishes to start. In Figure 13, “
Since the item name "Execution "1"" has been selected, the program in the item "Execution "1"" in FIG. 15 is started. Then, the execution results of the program will be stored in a document or the like that is set to be output. Therefore, the operator can check the execution results by clicking with the mouse 22 the icons representing the documents for which these output settings have been made. Also, once the program icon 3
By preparing program icons such as 31, it is possible to easily start programs without having to enter the program name and arguments from the keyboard 21 when starting programs with the same startup program name. Therefore, for example, if a bug is discovered in a certain program and you want to change its contents, you can simply select the icon for the program and instruct the execution of the corresponding item, and the input settings will be changed. You can easily check whether the program works properly with the data you have created.

[0043]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the invention as set forth in claim 1, a program icon is provided and a program is registered in this, so that once a program is registered, it can be easily used. It can be specified and activated. Moreover, since the program to be started is registered as an icon, which is a visual pictogram, if you create an icon for each purpose or program administrator, it will definitely be more efficient even when there are multiple startup programs. work becomes possible.

Further, according to the invention as claimed in claim 2, since the program started in the program icon and the operation result storage means for storing the operation results of the program are registered as a pair, the operation results can be stored in the existing or automatically stored in a newly defined storage means. Therefore, the work is simplified compared to specifying the storage means one by one, and the operation results of the same program for the same input data can always be stored in the same location.
These comparisons can be easily made.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the startup program, arguments, and other data are registered for each item in the program startup icon by specifying or changing attributes, and the desired format is created simply by selecting the item. Since programs can be started or operated, program startup icons can be set and managed individually for each individual or product handled, which has the effect of making program management easier. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the circuit configuration of a program starting device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of work for starting a program by the program starting device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which unused program icons are displayed on the display.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a display in a state where a program is started.

5 is a flowchart specifically showing a part of the work in step S102 shown in FIG. 2, when input settings are made to a program icon.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a display example of an input setting window.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow when input settings are made in the icon state without opening the window.

8 is a flowchart specifically showing a part of the work in step S102 shown in FIG. 2, when output settings are made for a program icon.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the display shifts to the output setting window.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the output setting window with the menu window opened.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the display state of the output setting window during an operation to display a menu for selecting an icon.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of an icon type window.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which a menu window is displayed by clicking on a program icon.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of work for changing attributes.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of display contents of an attribute change window.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11...CPU, 13...Working memory, 21...Keyboard, 22...Mouse, 23...Magnetic disk, 24...Display, 33...Program icon, 35...Window, 51...Output setting window, 61...Attribute change window

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a program, a display, a program icon displayed as a predetermined pictogram on the display, and a program stored in the storage means registered in correspondence with each of the program icons. A program starting device comprising a registration means for specifying an icon, an icon specifying means for specifying an icon, and a program starting means for starting a corresponding program when the program icon is specified by the icon specifying means. . 2. A storage means for storing a program, an operation result storage means for storing an operation result of the program, a display, a program icon displayed as a predetermined pictogram on the display, and a program icon for each of the program icons. a registration means for registering the program stored in the storage means in association with the location of the operation result storage means for storing the operation result and other data; an icon designation means for designating an icon; A program starting device comprising: program starting means for starting a corresponding program when a program icon is specified. 3. A storage means for storing a program, a display, a program icon displayed as a predetermined pictogram on the display, and a program stored in the storage means in correspondence with each of the program icons. A registration means for registering each item in combination with an input file and an output file, an icon specifying means for specifying an icon, and an item specifying means for specifying a corresponding item when the program icon is specified by the icon specifying means. and program starting means for starting or operating a corresponding program using an input file of a specified item and outputting the operation result to an output file of the item.