Method and system for detecting undefined objects in an application

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said step of graphically indicating an absence is performed in response to said user attempting to terminate development of said application.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein said step of graphically indicating an absence is performed in response to said user requesting a search for an absence of a definition.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein said steps of creating, registering, permitting and graphically indicating are performed in an object-oriented environment.

Claim 6

A data processing system for permitting a user to efficiently create an application utilizing a plurality of objects in a graphic user interface, said data processing system comprising: creation means for creating a database, wherein said database is utilized to track objects selected by a user; registration means for registering particular ones of said plurality of objects selected by a user for utilization in said application in said database; means for permitting said user to create definitions for said particular ones of said plurality of objects; and indication means for graphically indicating an absence of a definition for one of said particular ones of said plurality of objects within said database, wherein said user may efficiently identify objects requiring a definition.

Claim 7

A data processing system for permitting a user to efficiently create an application utilizing a plurality of objects in a graphic user interface, said data processing system comprising: creation means for creating a database, wherein said database is utilized to track objects selected by a user; registration means for registering particular ones of said plurality of objects selected by a user for utilization in said application in said database; means for permitting said user to create definitions for said particular ones of said plurality of objects; and indication means for graphically indicating an absence of a definition for one of said particular ones of said plurality of objects within said database, wherein said user may efficiently identify objects requiring a definition.

Claim 8

The data processing system of claim 5, wherein said indication means is responsive to said user attempting to terminate development of said application.

Claim 9

The data processing system of claim 5, wherein said indication means is responsive to said user requesting a search for an absence of a definition.

Claim 10

The data processing system of claim 5, wherein said database has a hierarchial tree structure.

Claim 11

The data processing system of claim 8, wherein said hierarchial tree structure includes a plurality of nodes and links connecting nodes and wherein an object is a node and a link is an association between two objects.

Claim 12

The data processing system of claim 9, wherein said link defines a parent-child relationship between two objects.

Claim 13

The data processing system of claim 5, wherein said registration means includes storing a connection between two objects in said database.

Claim 14

A computer program product for permitting a user to efficiently create an application utilizing a plurality of objects in a graphic user interface, said computer program product comprising: instruction means for creating a database, wherein said database is utilized to track objects selected by a user; instruction means for registering particular ones of said plurality of objects selected by a user for utilization in said application in said database; instruction means for permitting said user to create definitions for said particular ones of said plurality of objects; and instruction means for graphically indicating an absence of a definition for one of said particular ones of said plurality of objects within said database, wherein said user may efficiently identify objects requiring a definition.

Claim 15

A computer program product for permitting a user to efficiently create an application utilizing a plurality of objects in a graphic user interface, said computer program product comprising: instruction means for creating a database, wherein said database is utilized to track objects selected by a user; instruction means for registering particular ones of said plurality of objects selected by a user for utilization in said application in said database; instruction means for permitting said user to create definitions for said particular ones of said plurality of objects; and instruction means for graphically indicating an absence of a definition for one of said particular ones of said plurality of objects within said database, wherein said user may efficiently identify objects requiring a definition.

Claim 16

A data processing system for permitting a user to efficiently create an application in a graphic user interface, said data processing system comprising: a display; a processor; processor means for creating a database including data for objects selected by a user; processor means for creating a plurality of objects for utilization in an application; processor means for registering particular ones of said plurality of objects selected by a user for utilization in said application in said database; processor manipulation means, responsive to user input, for adding an object to said application and for defining an undefined object; and processor search means for automatically searching said database in response to a request to detect a presence of an undefined object; and processor indication means, responsive to a presence of an undefined object detected by said search means, for indicating said presence of an undefined object to said user on said display.

Claim 17

A data processing system for permitting a user to efficiently create an application in a graphic user interface, said data processing system comprising: a display; a processor; processor means for creating a database including data for objects selected by a user; processor means for creating a plurality of objects for utilization in an application; processor means for registering particular ones of said plurality of objects selected by a user for utilization in said application in said database; processor manipulation means, responsive to user input, for adding an object to said application and for defining an undefined object; and processor search means for automatically searching said database in response to a request to detect a presence of an undefined object; and processor indication means, responsive to a presence of an undefined object detected by said search means, for indicating said presence of an undefined object to said user on said display.

Claim 18

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein said processor indication means is responsive to said user attempting to terminate development of said application.

Claim 19

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein said processor indication means is responsive to said user requesting a search for an absence of a definition.

Claim 20

The data processing system of 13, wherein said database has a hierarchial tree structure.

Claim 21

The data processing system of 13, wherein said database has a hierarchial tree structure.

Claim 22

The data processing system of claim 16, wherein said hierarchial tree structure includes a plurality of nodes and links connecting nodes and wherein an object is a node and a link is a connection between two objects.

Claim 23

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein said processor registration means includes storing a connection between two objects in said database.

Claim 24

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein an undefined object is an object requiring a connection to another object.

Claim 25

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein said plurality of objects are graphically presented to a user on said display screen.

Claim 26

The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said processor indication means indicates said presence of an undefined object to said user on said display by presenting said undefined object in a list.

Claim 27

The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said processor indication means indicates said presence of an undefined object to said user on said display by highlighting said undefined object.