JPH06266545A - Gui parts library development support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To produce a GUI parts library which is highly flexible to change and addition and excels in the reuse, expansion and maintenance properties in a consistent flow and with high efficiency. CONSTITUTION:A graphic editing function part 2 produces a specific field graphic by combining the graphic element pieces and also produces a group information on the attribute and its operation of each graphic element piece of the specific field graphic as each object based this graphic. A domain-based data editing function part 5 produces the domain-based data, displays a list of information on the type of the domain-based data, and sets the data type selected out of the list as the type of the domain-based data. An interface editing function part 6 displays a list of interfaces of the domain-based data and unifies the interface selected out of the list with the domain-based data and this data type. Then an automatic conversion processing part 7 converts each of editing contents into a source program of an implement language.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a GUI component library development support device for supporting the development of a GUI component library which is a program for realizing interactive input / output with a user using a graphic symbol on a computer. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, GUI (Graphical User Interface)
ce), that is, the method of displaying information to be provided to the user as a graphic symbol on the computer display and allowing the user to input and output interactively with the computer by designating this graphic symbol. Is being introduced into the field. Then, as a CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tool using this GUI, recently, CA for domain, that is, for a specific field, is used.
SE tools are being developed. In the development of this CASE tool, the development of a GUI component library which is a program for realizing the GUI is an important key.

Conventionally, in the development of this GUI component library, as component data constituting the GUI component library, (1) data on the shape of a graphic for a domain and its drawing processing, (2) CA
It is important to create data (hereinafter referred to as domain-oriented data) for processing the domain-oriented graphic of (1) above on the SE tool and its operation part.

Conventionally, the data of (1) is created interactively with a user using a GUI construction support tool, and, for example, by selectively combining individual graphic elements, these graphic elements have the same. Information about domain-oriented figures was created using figure data and data for drawing processing.

On the other hand, the data of (2) is excluded from the target of creation support by the GUI construction support tool, and, for example, after designing on a desk, these data groups already exist after the data group of (1). It was added directly by the programming language of.

Therefore, it is not possible to expect a dramatic improvement in the efficiency of creating the GUI component library, but it is possible to easily change or add the GUI component library for reuse or extension to another domain. It was difficult. In addition, since it is difficult to make the GUI component library have a consistent data structure, CASE created for each domain
The change part of the processing function for the domain of the tool was big.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional GUI component library development method, since it is not possible to consistently support the GUI component library creation on one support tool, high productivity can be obtained. No, and lacked the flexibility to change or add. Furthermore, since the data structure is inconsistent, CASE created for each domain
The change part of the processing function for the domain of the tool was big.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and it is possible to improve the creation efficiency of a GUI component library and the reusability, expandability, and maintainability of the GUI component library. The purpose is to provide a library development support device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a GUI component library development support device of the present invention is provided.
In a device that supports the development of a GUI component library for realizing a man-machine interface using a graphic display on a computer, first information that stores in advance information about attributes and operations including names and shapes of various graphic segments is stored in advance. And the various graphic elements are displayed, and the various graphic elements are selectively combined by an input from the outside to create a graphic for a specific field, and based on the drawing result, the first Using the information stored in the storage means, a graphic setting means for creating a group of information about attributes and operations including the names and shapes of the individual graphic elements constituting the specific field graphic as individual objects, A list of information about the types of data for specific fields for performing processing related to the graphics for specific fields on the computer, and The second storage means in which a list of information related to the operation of data for specific fields is stored in advance, and the data for specific fields is created by input from the outside, and the data stored in the second storage means. A field-specific data setting means for displaying a list of information about types and setting a data type selected therein as a data type of the field-specific data, and the operation stored in the second storage means A data operation part setting means for displaying a list of information and integrating an operation selected therein with the data and data type for the specific field set by the specific field data setting means to create an object; The setting contents of each of the setting means are converted into a source program in a language applicable to the computer, and the object-oriented data is converted. Wherein G having the structure
And a conversion unit for generating a UI component library.

[0010]

In the present invention, first, the graphic setting means allows the user to display various graphic pieces and selectively combine the various graphic pieces by external input to create a graphic for a specific field. The figure setting means uses the information stored in the first storage means based on the drawing result to obtain an attribute including the name and shape of each figure segment forming the special field-specific figure and information about its operation. Create chunks as individual objects. Next, the data setting means for specific fields
Supports creation of data for specific fields by input from the outside. At this time, a list of information on the data types stored in the second storage means is displayed, and the data type selected by the user therein is set as the data type of the specific field data.

Next, the data operation portion setting means displays a list of information regarding the operation stored in the second storage means,
The operation selected therein is integrated with the specific field data and data type set by the specific field data setting means to create an object.

Thereafter, the conversion means converts the above setting contents into a source program in a language applicable on the computer, and has a GU having a data structure based on object orientation.
Generate as an I-part library.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently create a GUI component library having a consistent data structure in a consistent flow while visually interacting with it, thereby allowing flexibility for modification and addition. It is possible to efficiently create a GUI component library that is highly versatile, reusable, expandable, and maintainable.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a GUI component library development support device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a GUI component library constructed by this device.

First, the data structure of the GUI component library will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the GUI part library includes a graphic part 10 and a domain-specific data part 2.
It is roughly divided into 0.

The graphic portion 10 is an object 13 composed of a set of attributes (including a graphic name and drawing parameters) 11 of individual graphic elements forming a domain-oriented graphic and its method (data operation portion) 12.
It consists of a group of.

The domain-oriented data portion 20 includes domain-oriented data (data for performing processing relating to domain-oriented graphics on the CASE tool) and a data type 21,
It is composed of a group of objects 23 which are made up of the method (data operation part) 22 and the unit.

As described above, the entire GUI component library of this embodiment has a data structure based on object orientation.

In order to construct such a GUI component library, the GUI component library development support device of this embodiment has the following system configuration.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an attribute including the names and shapes of various graphic elements (eg, lines, squares, closed curves, open curves, character strings, etc.) necessary for assembling a domain-oriented graphic, and its operation. It is a primitive graphic part library that stores information regarding (drawing processing).

Reference numeral 2 is a graphic editing function unit. The figure editing function unit 2 displays various figure pieces stored in the primitive figure part library 1 and creates a figure arbitrarily combined by the user as a domain-oriented figure. Further, the graphic editing function unit 2 uses the information stored in the primitive graphic component library 1 based on the drawing result, and the information about the attribute of each graphic element forming the domain-oriented graphic and its operation (drawing process). Are respectively created and stored in the external storage unit 3 as individual objects.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a class library in which a list of information about the data type of domain-oriented data and a list of interfaces that are information about data operations are stored in the form of classes. The interface referred to here is a procedure part for calling the data processing part inside the object from another object.

Reference numeral 5 is a domain-specific data editing function section. This domain-oriented data editing function unit 5 supports the creation of domain-oriented data by user input, and
A list of information on data types stored in the class library 4 is displayed, and the data type selected by the user is set as the data type of the created domain-specific data. Then, this data type is stored in the external storage unit 3 together with the domain-specific data.

Reference numeral 6 is an interface editing function section. The interface editing function unit 6 includes a class library 4
A list of various interfaces stored in is displayed, and the interface selected by the user therein is set as an operation of the domain-specific data set by the domain-specific data editing function unit 5. Then, this interface is integrated with the domain-oriented data and data type already stored in the external storage unit 3 to generate an object.

Reference numeral 7 automatically converts each piece of information stored in the external storage unit 3 into a source program in an implementation language, that is, a source program in a language applicable on the computer to generate the GUI component library 8 shown in FIG. It is an automatic conversion processing unit.

Next, a procedure for constructing a GUI component library by this GUI component library development support device will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing this procedure.

First, the graphic editing function unit 2 is activated. The graphic editing function unit 2 firstly detects the primitive graphic component library 1
Read the contents of and display the list of graphic elements on the display. The user creates a domain-oriented graphic by selecting and combining arbitrary graphic fragments from the list of graphic fragments (step a).

When the creation of the domain-oriented graphic is completed, the graphic editing function unit 2 uses the information of the primitive graphic component library 1 based on the drawing result and the attributes of the individual graphic elements constituting the domain-oriented graphic and their attributes. Information about the operation,
That is, a part corresponding to the graphic part 10 in the GUI part library shown in FIG. 2 is created (step b), and this is registered in the external storage unit 3 (step c).
The attribute of each graphic element can be changed by a visual operation.

Next, the domain-specific data editing function unit 5 is activated. The user is the data editing function unit 5 for this domain.
Data for a domain is created using the character string editing function of (step d). After the creation of the domain-specific data is completed, the domain-specific data editing function unit 4 displays a list of information on the data types stored in the class library 3 (step e). Then, the data type selected by the user is set as the data type of the created domain-specific data (step g). However, at that time, if the data type that corresponds to the domain data created this time does not exist in the list, it is considered as a new data type and only the name (summary information) of this new data type is written. Set using the column editing function (step h).

After setting the data type, the storage range in the external storage unit 3 is set by designating the number of created domain-specific data (step i).

After setting the storage range of the external storage unit 3, the domain-specific data editing function unit 4 integrally registers the created domain-specific data and data type information in the external storage unit 3 (step j).

Next, the interface editing function unit 5 is activated. Immediately after starting, the interface editing function unit 6 reads various interfaces stored in the class library 4 and displays them on the display (step k). Then, the interface selected by the user is registered in the external storage unit 3 as an interface for the created domain-specific data (steps m and n). At that time, if the corresponding interface does not exist in the list, the user sets only the name (outline information) of this new interface using the character string editing function and registers it in the external storage unit 3 (steps o, n). ).

After that, the automatic conversion processing unit 6 is activated to automatically convert the contents of the external storage unit 3 into a source language source program (step p). At this time, for the new data type and the new interface, only the name set by the user is output. Detailed information on the new data type and the new interface is edited by the user using a text editor (step q).

As described above, the GUI component library having a consistent data structure based on object orientation is constructed.

Thus, according to the GUI component library development support apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently create a GUI component library having a data structure based on object orientation in a consistent flow with visual operations. it can. Further, since the GUI component library can have a consistent data structure based on object orientation, it is possible to reduce the changed portion of the domain-oriented processing function of the CASE tool created for each domain.

[0037]

As described above, according to the GUI component library development support apparatus of the present invention, a GUI component library having a consistent data structure can be efficiently created in a consistent flow with visual operations. As a result, it is possible to efficiently create a GUI component library that is highly flexible with respect to changes and additions, and has excellent reusability, expandability, and maintainability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a GUI component library development support device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a GUI component library constructed by the GUI component library development support device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for constructing a GUI component library by the GUI component library development support device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Primitive graphic component library, 2 ... Graphic editing function unit, 3 ... External storage unit, 4 ... Class library, 5 ... Domain data editing function unit, 6 ... Interface editing function unit, 7 ... Automatic conversion processing unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for supporting the development of a GUI component library for realizing a man-machine interface using a graphic display on a computer, wherein information including attributes and operations including names and shapes of various graphic elements is displayed. The first storage means stored in advance and the various graphic elements are displayed, and the various graphic elements are selectively combined by an external input to create a graphic for a specific field, and based on the drawing result. Using the information stored in the first storage means, a group of information including attributes and operations including the names and shapes of the individual graphic segments forming the specific-field graphic is created as individual objects. Graphic setting means, and information regarding the type of data for specific fields for performing processing related to the specific fields on the computer And a second storage means in which a list of information relating to the operation of the specific field data is stored in advance, and the specific field data is created by an external input and stored in the second storage means. A specific field data setting means for displaying a list of information regarding the specified data types and setting the data type selected therein as the data type of the specific field data; and stored in the second storage means. A data operation part that displays a list of information related to the operation and integrates the operation selected in the list with the data and data type for the specific field set by the specific field data setting means to create an object. Setting means, and the setting contents of each of the setting means is converted into a source program in a language applicable on the computer, GUI component library development support apparatus characterized by comprising a conversion means for generating the GUI component library with a data structure based on the direction.