US20020080178A1 - Creation supporting apparatus and creation supporting method of graphical user interface program, and recording medium recorded with creation supporting program - Google Patents

Creation supporting apparatus and creation supporting method of graphical user interface program, and recording medium recorded with creation supporting program Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020080178A1
US20020080178A1 US09/957,929 US95792901A US2002080178A1 US 20020080178 A1 US20020080178 A1 US 20020080178A1 US 95792901 A US95792901 A US 95792901A US 2002080178 A1 US2002080178 A1 US 2002080178A1
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program
creating
screen layout
user interface
graphical user
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English (en)
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Takamoto Imataki
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
    • G06F8/30—Creation or generation of source code
    • G06F8/38—Creation or generation of source code for implementing user interfaces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a creation supporting technique for Graphical user interfaces (hereinafter called “GUI's”) being a computer usage environment utilizing images, and more particularly, to a technique for improving productivity of GUI programs.
  • GUI's Graphical user interfaces
  • GUI component each component constituting the GUI (hereinafter called “GUI component”) is dragged and dropped so as to paste the component onto a screen. Thereby, generation and attribute setting of the GUI components are performed, so that a minimum program concerning a screen layout is automatically generated. Meanwhile, processing programs for the GUI component are coded such as by programmers. It is assumed here that the GUI components have been defined as objects by an object oriented language.
  • the present invention has been achieved in view of the conventional problems as described above, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a technique for automatically relating GUI components with processing programs thereof so as to eliminate the necessity for modifying the processing programs with a change in GUI components, to thereby improve productivity of GUI programs.
  • a creation supporting apparatus of a graphical user interface program comprising: processing program creating means for creating a processing program for an individual object constituting a graphical user interface; screen layout creating means for creating a screen layout of the graphical user interface by arranging various objects; relating means for relating a variable and a method in the processing program, with the objects arranged in the screen layout; and program generating means for generating, based on the relation between the variable and method, and the objects, a program in which the processing program is related with the objects.
  • object means a “class” defined by an object oriented language such as Java (trade name), C++ (trade name) and the like, and includes Button and BarMeter, for example.
  • a processing program for an individual object is created by the processing program creating means, in case of creating a graphical user interface program.
  • a screen layout arranged with the various objects is created by the screen layout, creating means.
  • a variable and a method in the processing program are related with the objects by the relating means, and thereafter, a program in which the processing program is related with the objects, is created by the program generating means.
  • the relating means may be constituted to comprise: file name designating means for designating a file name of the processing program; extracting means for extracting a variable name and a method name from the processing program, based on the file name designated by the file name designating means; specifying means for specifying the variable name and method name extracted by the extracting means for each of the objects to be arranged in the screen layout when creating the screen layout by the screen layout creating means; and file creating means for creating a relation file described with a relation between the variable name and method name specified by the specifying means, and the objects.
  • variable and method In the processing program are related with the objects arranged in the screen layout, in the following manner. Firstly, when the file name of the processing program is designated by the file name designating means, the variable name and method name are extracted from the processing program, Then, in creating the screen layout, when the variable name and method name of the processing program are specified for the objects by the specifying means, the relation file described with the relation between the variable name and method name, and the objects is created by the file creating means.
  • the relation between the variable and method in the processing program, and the objects arranged in the screen layout can be made by simply conducting predetermined inputs as a series of operations in a screen layout creating work, thus avoiding complicate operations. Further, when the screen layout is made to be changed, the relation file can be updated by simply conducting the above described series of operations.
  • the program generating means may be constituted to generate a program by Inserting an object referencing procedure and an object updating procedure into the processing program, based on the relation file created by the file creating means.
  • the creation supporting apparatus may be constituted to further comprise layout program generating means for generating a screen layout program, based on the screen layout created by the screen layout creating means and based on the method and the objects related with each other by the relating means.
  • the screen layout program is also generated together with the processing program, so that the productivity of the graphical user interface program can be further improved.
  • the layout program generating means may be constituted to insert a method execution procedure into the screen layout program.
  • a creation supporting method of a graphical user interface program comprising: a processing program creating process for creating a processing program for an individual object constituting a graphical user interface; a screen layout creating process for creating a screen layout of the graphical user interface by arranging various objects; a relating process for relating a variable and a method in the processing program with the objects arranged in the screen layout; and a program generating process for generating, based on the relation between the variable and method, and the objects, a program in which the processing program is related with the objects.
  • a processing program for an individual object is created by the processing program creating process, in case of creating a graphical user interface program.
  • a screen layout arranged with the various objects is created by the screen layout creating process.
  • a variable and a method in the processing program are related with the objects by the relating process, and thereafter, a program in which the processing program is related with the objects, is created by the program generating process.
  • a recording medium recorded with a creation supporting program of a graphical user interface program for realizing: a processing program creating function for creating a processing program for an individual object constituting a graphical user interface; a screen layout creating function for creating a screen layout of the graphical user interface by arranging various objects; a relating function for relating a variable and a method in the processing program with the objects arranged in the screen layout; and a program generating function for generating, based on the relation between the variable and method, and the objects, a program in which the processing program is related with the objects.
  • the term “recording medium” includes those mediums capable of assuredly recording various information and also capable of reading the information recorded therein out as required, such as mobile mediums, a magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, IC card, CD-ROM and the like.
  • a recording medium is recorded with a creation supporting program of a graphical user interface program for realizing: the processing program creating function, the screen layout creating function, the relating function and the program generating function.
  • a creation supporting program of a graphical user interface program for realizing: the processing program creating function, the screen layout creating function, the relating function and the program generating function.
  • FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a program creation supporting apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a definition fife
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a processing program
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a file name input screen
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a component name input screen
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a variable selecting screen
  • FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a method selecting screen
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of a definition file
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating a source program
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of a layout program
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of a generated source program.
  • FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a creation supporting apparatus of GUI programs according to the present invention (hereinafter called “program creation supporting apparatus”).
  • the program creation supporting apparatus is constructed on a computer at least provided with a central processing unit and a memory so as to execute various procedures based on programs loaded onto the memory.
  • the program creation supporting apparatus comprises a file storing device 10 , a source program creating module 20 , a screen layout creating module 30 , a mapping module 40 and a source program generating module 50 .
  • the file storing device 10 is constituted of a hard disk, for example, to store therein an original source program file 12 , a definition file 14 to be described later, a layout program file 16 and a source program file 18 .
  • the source program creating module 20 is constituted of a program editor, for example, to create and edit processing programs for GUI components. Those created processing programs are stored as the original source program file 12 in the file storing device 10 . Note, the source program creating module 20 acts as processing program creating means, a processing program creating process and a processing program creating function.
  • the screen layout creating module 30 corresponds to a so-called GUI builder, and creates a screen layout constituting GUI. Namely, a GUI component is dragged and dropped onto a screen, so that generation and attribute setting of the GUI component are performed, to thereby create a screen layout.
  • attribute of GUI component includes information specific to the GUI component, such as an arranged position, a size and a color thereof.
  • the screen layout creating module 30 acts as screen layout creating means, a screen layout creating process and a screen layout creating function.
  • the mapping module 40 cooperates with the screen layout creating module 30 , to relate the processing program for GUI components with the GUI component in the screen layout. Namely, during the creating procedure of screen layout, an operation for relating the processing program for GUI components with the GUI component is performed, based on an input from a user; and the original source program file 12 . Further, the relation result is stored as the definition file 14 in the fife storing device 10 . Note, the mapping module 40 acts as relating means, a relating process, a relating function, file name designating means, extracting means, specifying means and file creating means.
  • the definition is constituted of three fields 60 , 62 and 64 , as shown in FIG. 2.
  • Held in the first field 60 is a full path name for identifying the original source program- file 12 described with a processing program.
  • Held in the second field 62 is information specific to GUI component, such as a GUI component name, a class name, position information, size information, color information, frame line information, font information, and a method name.
  • Held in the third field 64 are a variable name allocated to the GUI component, and the GUI component name.
  • the source program generating module 50 Based on the original source program file 12 and the definition file 14 , the source program generating module 50 automatically generates a layout program and a source program which are to be compiled.
  • the thus generated layout program and source program are stored as the layout program file 16 and the source program file 18 , respectively, in the file storing device 10 .
  • the original source program file 12 is kept unchanged.
  • the source program to be generated by the source program generating module 50 is prepared by burying procedures for referencing and updating the GUI component into a copy of the original source program.
  • the source program generating module 50 acts as program generating means, a program generating process, a program generating function, and layout program generating means.
  • the source program creating module 20 , screen layout creating module 30 and source program generating module 50 are activated exclusively and selectively, based on user's instructions such as via menu screen or the like. Further, the mapping module 40 is automatically activated, with the activation of the screen layout creating module 30 .
  • the source program creating module 20 is activated, to thereby create an original source program described with a processing program.
  • a processing program as shown in FIG. 3 is described in accordance with a specification of application program, and this processing program Is stored as the original source program file 12 .
  • Concerning details of the processing program shown in FIG. 3, refer to a language specification of Java, for example.
  • the mapping module 40 is activated, to display a file name input screen 70 for designating the original source program file name.
  • the file name input screen 70 is constituted to include a file name input frame 72 , an “OK” button 74 and a “Reference” button 76 .
  • To designate the original source program file name there is the following two methods. A first method is to directly input the original source program file name into the file name input frame 72 , and then to click the “OK” button 74 to thereby designate the file name. A second method is to click the “Reference” button 76 to thereby display a file list, and to select the desired original source program file from the file list.
  • FIG. 4 shows a situation where “MyTest.java” is input as the original source program file, The thus described series of procedures corresponds to the file name designating means.
  • the original source program file name is designated, the original source program file 12 is read out from the file storing device 10 , so that the variable name and the method name are extracted from the original source program file 12 .
  • the extracted variable name and method name are spread as a list, onto the memory.
  • the variable name is “mydata” and the method name is “calc”, In the processing program shown in FIG. 3.
  • Such a series of procedures corresponds to the extracting means.
  • a screen for conducting a screen layout is displayed. If, for example, “BarMeter” as GUI component is arranged by drag and drop, a component name input screen 80 for giving an arbitrary name to the GUI component is displayed, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the component name input screen 80 is constituted to Include a component name input frame 82 and an “OK” button 84 . After directly inputting an arbitrary name (such as “bar”) into the component name input frame 82 , the “OK” button 84 is clicked to give the name to the GUI component. Note, it may be possible to change the name of the GUI component at an arbitrary point of time.
  • variable selecting screen 90 (i e., specifying means) is displayed as shown in FIG. 8.
  • a list 92 of variable names created by previous procedures to select a variable to be related with the GUI component from the listed variable names.
  • an option of “cancel” in the list is selected when no variables are used for a case where such a GUI component merely indicates an icon.
  • a method selecting screen 100 (specifying means) is displayed as shown in FIG, 7 .
  • Displayed on the method selecting screen 100 is a list 102 of method names created by previous procedures, to select a method for the GUI component from the listed method names.
  • an option of “cancel” in the list Is selected when no methods are used for a case where such a GUI component merely indicates of an icon.
  • information concerning the GUI component as a result of respective operations is managed on the memory, in a table format with the variable name as a key, When the generation and attribute setting of GUI component and the selection of method are repeated, information concerning the GUI component is added onto the memory.
  • a menu for activating a definition generating procedure is selected, for example.
  • a definition shown in FIG. 8 is created based on the on-memory information concerning the GUI component, and this definition is stored as the definition file 14 in the file storing device 10 .
  • a name of the stored definition file 14 is held on the memory.
  • the definition file 14 is read out from the file storing device 10 .
  • the read definition file 14 is specified by the definition file name held on the memory, it is possible to implement a function capable of selecting a desired definition file.
  • a table of GUI component name with the variable name as a key is created, based on the definition file 14 .
  • a table of “mydata:bar” is created, for example.
  • the layout program for performing the generation and attribute setting of the GUI component is generated.
  • the layout program as shown in FIG. 10 is automatically generated, based on the second field 62 of the definition.
  • the layout program there is buried peculiarly not only programs concerning screen layout but also a method “calc” starting with “bar.addActionListener” for an execution event. Namely, when the GUI component is activated, the method “calc” is duly executed.
  • the original source program file 12 is read out based on the source program file name held in the definition fife 14 , and a copy of the original source program file 12 (hereinafter called “copy file”) is created.
  • a declaration statement (such as “private BarMeter bar;” shown in FIG. 1) is inserted into the copy file, based on the GUI component name and class name held in the definition file 14 .
  • a file cursor in the original source program file 12 is moved to a next token, to extract the content of such a token.
  • “class” is extracted, and “Mytest, ⁇ , . . ” are sequentially extracted, in the succeeding procedures.
  • the content of the extracted token is assigned to “tempA”.
  • step B it is judged whether or not tempA is in the table created at step 2 . Namely, it is judged whether or not the token being currently analyzed is a process of variable. If tempA is in the table (Yes), the procedure advances to step 9 . If not (No), the procedure goes back to step 6 .
  • step 9 the file cursor in the original source program file 12 is moved to a next token, to extract the content thereof.
  • the extracted content of the next token is assigned to “tempB”.
  • the fife cursor is advanced up to the end position of the variable assigning procedure, and a variable updating procedure is inserted into a next line of the variable assigning procedure in the copy file.
  • the GUI component name (bar) for the variable name (mydata) is determined by referring to the table, and an updating procedure API “bar.update(mydata);” as shown in FIG. 11 is inserted into the next fine of the variable assigning procedure.
  • interface DataGUI public void update(Object o); public String getDataType(); public Object get(); ⁇
  • public DataGUIButton extends Button implements DataGUI ⁇ . . . ⁇
  • a variable referencing procedure is inserted into a previous line of the variable assigning procedure in the copy file.
  • the layout program and the copy file are created, based on the definition file 14 created in the creating process of the screen layout. Then, the created copy file is inserted with the variable referencing procedure API and the variable updating procedure API, before and after the variable assigning procedure, respectively.
  • the created copy file is inserted with the variable referencing procedure API and the variable updating procedure API, before and after the variable assigning procedure, respectively.
  • the screen layout creating module 30 is activated again, to replace a GUI component(s) or to change attribute(s) and the like of a GUI component(s). Then, a new definition reflecting the conducted replacement/change is created, and such a definition is overwritten onto the definition file 14 In the file storing device 10 . Thereafter, if the source program generating module 50 is activated, the layout program file 16 and source program file 18 are generated again based on the thus overwritten definition file 14 . In this case, it is unnecessary to amend the original source program file 12 , unless the GUI components are added to the screen layout. Also from this standpoint, the productivity of GUI programs can be improved.
  • the program creation supporting program according to the present invention can be distributed into the market. Further, those who have obtained such a program creation supporting program are possible to readily construct the program creation supporting apparatus according to the present invention, making use of a general computer system.
  • the creation supporting apparatus and creation supporting method of GUI programs according to the present invention are extremely useful in that the apparatus and method are capable of improving the productivity of GUI programs.
  • the recording medium recorded with the creation supporting program of GUI programs according to the present Invention Is also extremely useful in that the same is capable of readily constructing the creation supporting apparatus of GUI programs, making use of a general computer system.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)
US09/957,929 1999-03-24 2001-09-21 Creation supporting apparatus and creation supporting method of graphical user interface program, and recording medium recorded with creation supporting program Abandoned US20020080178A1 (en)

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PCT/JP1999/001492 WO2000057271A1 (fr) 1999-03-24 1999-03-24 Appareil d'assistance a l'ecriture d'un programme d'interface utilisateur graphique, procede d'assistance associe et support d'enregistrement pour programme d'assistance a l'ecriture

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US8910064B2 (en) 2011-06-20 2014-12-09 Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation Of America GUI program creation supporting apparatus, GUI program creation support method, computer-readable recording medium and integrated circuit

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US20040243973A1 (en) * 2003-06-02 2004-12-02 Kwong Man K. Method and apparatus for generating a graphical user interface
US8954869B2 (en) * 2007-12-17 2015-02-10 International Business Machines Corporation Generating a front end graphical user interface for a plurality of text based commands
US20110314044A1 (en) * 2010-06-18 2011-12-22 Microsoft Corporation Flexible content organization and retrieval
JP5691516B2 (ja) * 2010-12-28 2015-04-01 富士通株式会社 画面情報提供プログラムおよび画面情報提供方法
JP6391489B2 (ja) 2015-02-10 2018-09-19 山洋電気株式会社 モータ制御装置
JP7049754B2 (ja) * 2015-02-13 2022-04-07 山洋電気株式会社 モータ制御装置
WO2019221314A1 (ko) * 2018-05-16 2019-11-21 주식회사 유니온플레이스 컨텐츠 퍼블리싱 장치 및 컨텐츠 퍼블리싱 방법

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US8910064B2 (en) 2011-06-20 2014-12-09 Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation Of America GUI program creation supporting apparatus, GUI program creation support method, computer-readable recording medium and integrated circuit

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US20020054100A1 (en) 2002-05-09
US7337406B2 (en) 2008-02-26
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JP4197095B2 (ja) 2008-12-17

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