US6044217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hierarchical metadata store for an integrated development environment
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-10-23
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2017-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A metadata repository for use in an integrated development environment is provided. The metadata repository is layered to define levels of common behaviour useful to different types of application development tools. The most general use tools have access to metadata at the level of simple constructed types; more specialised tools have access to components that contain properties of a target language; highly specialised tools have access to composed partitionable part metadata that can be used for constructing distributed applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher L. Brealey
- 👤 Jeffrey G. Johnston
- 👤 Vladimir Klicnik
- 👤 David M. Lauzon
- 👤 Lok T. Loi
- 👤 II Dirk A. Seelemann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/20; G06F8/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A computing system for storing and retrieving metadata in a container for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, having a hierarchical structure, comprising: means for storing computer readable data and computer code; a first code section of said computer code comprising a plurality of simple constructed types that contain subparts and encapsulated behaviour; a second code section of said computer code comprising a plurality of components that contain properties of a target language; a third code section of said computer code comprising a plurality of composed parts that permit partitioning for distribution; and means for processing said first, second and third code sections stored in said storage means, enabling a plurality of computer implemented design tools to share a representation of a design, implementation and distribution of an application, wherein said data is organized in said storage means for direct manipulation by design tools.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computing system for storing and retrieving metadata in a container for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, having a hierarchical structure, comprising: means for storing computer readable data and computer code; a first code section of said computer code comprising a plurality of simple constructed types that contain subparts and encapsulated behaviour; a second code section of said computer code comprising a plurality of components that contain properties of a target language; a third code section of said computer code comprising a plurality of composed parts that permit partitioning for distribution; and means for processing said first, second and third code sections stored in said storage means, enabling a plurality of computer implemented design tools to share a representation of a design, implementation and distribution of an application, wherein said data is organized in said storage means for direct manipulation by design tools.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computing system for storing and retrieving metadata for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, comprising: means for storing computer readable data and computer code; a first code section of said computer code comprising a single base class defining common behaviour for elements in the tool data; at least one additional code section of said computer code, each said at least one additional code section comprising a separate abstract class hierarchy, inheriting from the single base class, to define name scopes and containment for the tool data; and means for processing said first code section and said at least one additional code section, said code sections stored in said storage means, enabling a plurality of computer implemented tools to access common tool data defined by said code sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computing system for storing and retrieving metadata for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, comprising: means for storing computer readable data and computer code; a first code section of said computer code comprising a single base class defining common behaviour for elements in the tool data; at least one additional code section of said computer code, each said at least one additional code section comprising a separate abstract class hierarchy, inheriting from the single base class, to define name scopes and containment for the tool data; and means for processing said first code section and said at least one additional code section, said code sections stored in said storage means, enabling a plurality of computer implemented tools to access common tool data defined by said code sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A metadata store, according to claim 2, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a part class representing a generalized part construct adapted to contain subparts and encapsulated behaviour.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A metadata store, according to claim 3, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a component class adapted to implement properties of a target language.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A metadata store, according to claim 3, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a partition class adapted to contain definitions of part partition semantics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A metadata store, according to claim 3, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a component class adapted to implement properties of a target language.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A metadata store, according to claim 2, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a component class adapted to implement properties of a target language.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A metadata store, according to claim 2, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a partition class adapted to contain definitions of part partition semantics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A metadata store, according to claim 2, wherein the abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes stratifies the tool data into a layered structure, comprising: simple constructed types that contain subparts and encapsulated behaviour; components that contain properties of a target language; and composed parts that permit partitioning for distribution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer implemented method for storing metadata for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, said method comprising the steps: identifying a single base class, defining common behaviour for elements in the tool data; identifying at least one separate abstract class hierarchy, inheriting from said single base class, to define name scopes and containment for the tool data; and representing said identified base classes and said at least one class hierarchy in object oriented computer code, enabling a plurality of computer implemented tools to access common tool data as represented in said computer code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer implemented method for storing metadata for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, said method comprising the steps: identifying a single base class, defining common behaviour for elements in the tool data; identifying at least one separate abstract class hierarchy, inheriting from said single base class, to define name scopes and containment for the tool data; and representing said identified base classes and said at least one class hierarchy in object oriented computer code, enabling a plurality of computer implemented tools to access common tool data as represented in said computer code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 10, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a part class representing a generalized part construct adapted to contain subparts and encapsulated behaviour.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 11, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a component class adapted to implement properties of a target language.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 11, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a partition class adapted to contain definitions of part partition semantics.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 11, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a component class adapted to implement properties of a target language.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 10, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a component class adapted to implement properties of a target language.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 10, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes comprises: a partition class adapted to contain definitions of part partition semantics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer implemented method as recited in claim 10, wherein said abstract class hierarchy to define name scopes stratifies the tool data into a layered structure, comprising: simple constructed types that contain subparts and encapsulated behaviour; components that contain properties of a target language; and composed parts that permit partitioning for distribution.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer readable medium containing computer code for storing metadata for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, enabling a plurality of computer implemented tools to access common tool data as represented in said computer code, the code implementing the steps of: identifying a single base class, defining common behaviour for elements in the tool data; and identifying at least one separate abstract class hierarchy, inheriting from said single base class, to define name scopes and containment for the tool data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer readable medium containing computer code for storing metadata for common access tool data in an object oriented programming environment, enabling a plurality of computer implemented tools to access common tool data as represented in said computer code, the code implementing the steps of: identifying a single base class, defining common behaviour for elements in the tool data; and identifying at least one separate abstract class hierarchy, inheriting from said single base class, to define name scopes and containment for the tool data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |