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US5339433A
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Symbol browsing in an object-oriented development system
Assignee: Borland Software Corp
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Filing: 1992-11-19
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Granted: 1994-08-16
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Expires: 2012-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A system of the present invention includes a development system having a language compiler for generating application and system software from source listings. The system includes an Integrated Development Environment having a browser. Methods of the present invention include inspecting symbols (e.g., classes, objects, methods, variables, and the like) dynamically, i.e., while retaining active scope of the symbol. More particularly, the browser of the present invention directly references symbol information stored in object code or executable modules, which are generated during compilation of the source listings. In this manner, the system provides symbol information directly relevant to the context (location in source listing) the user/programmer is currently working.
Inventors
- 👤 Lars K. Frid-Nielsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/33; G06F8/20; G06F8/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a development system in object-oriented programming environment a method for compiling source listings into application and system programs, each of the source listings comprising a plurality of symbols for instructing operation of a program, a method for browsing symbols comprising: (a) compiling a source listing containing the symbols into an object file, said object file storing a reference for each symbol in said source listing; (b) selecting a symbol of interest with an input device coupled to a device displaying said source listing; (c) receiving a request from a user for browsing a symbol of interest; (d) retrieving said reference stored in said object file and using said reference to determine program information specific for the symbol of interest; and (e) displaying said information to the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a development system in object-oriented programming environment a method for compiling source listings into application and system programs, each of the source listings comprising a plurality of symbols for instructing operation of a program, a method for browsing symbols comprising: (a) compiling a source listing containing the symbols into an object file, said object file storing a reference for each symbol in said source listing; (b) selecting a symbol of interest with an input device coupled to a device displaying said source listing; (c) receiving a request from a user for browsing a symbol of interest; (d) retrieving said reference stored in said object file and using said reference to determine program information specific for the symbol of interest; and (e) displaying said information to the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said source listings are selected ones of Pascal, C, C++, and assembler listings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said object file is linked with other object and library files for creating an executable program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference is stored in a browsing table in the object file.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference includes line number information specifying a position of the symbol in the source listing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said compiling step includings translating said symbols into machine instructions executable by a processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said symbols are selected ones of program variables and functions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said symbols are selected ones of program classes, objects, and class methods.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said information specifies relationships between said classes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said input device is a pointing device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the request is generated from the user with the pointing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said request comprises a right button signal generated by the pointing device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said information comprises a name, at least one type, and related members of the symbol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one type is a selected one of a variable and a function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one type includes a class, and wherein said related members include superclasses and subclasses of the class.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a development system in object-oriented programming environment a method for compiling source listings into application and system programs, each of the source listings comprising a plurality of symbols for instructing operation of a program, an improved method for browsing symbols, the improvement comprising: (a) compiling into an object file a source listing containing the symbols; (b) for symbols in the source file, storing a reference in said object file; and (c) reading the reference stored for a symbol of interest and using said reference to determine program information for the symbol of interest.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a development system in object-oriented programming environment a method for compiling source listings into application and system programs, each of the source listings comprising a plurality of symbols for instructing operation of a program, an improved method for browsing symbols, the improvement comprising: (a) compiling into an object file a source listing containing the symbols; (b) for symbols in the source file, storing a reference in said object file; and (c) reading the reference stored for a symbol of interest and using said reference to determine program information for the symbol of interest.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said reference includes data indicating relative position of the symbol of interest in the source listing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising: determining scope of the symbol of interest from said data indicting relative position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer system including memory, a central processor, and an input device, said memory storing at least a source listing of an application and system programs in object-oriented programming environment, said source listings comprising a plurality of symbols for instructing operation of a program, said system comprising: a compiler, said compiler inputting said source listing, said source listing comprising said symbols, and outputting a object file with references associated with said symbols; and a browser for reading said references associated with said symbols in said object file and using said references to determine program information for a symbol of interest.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer system including memory, a central processor, and an input device, said memory storing at least a source listing of an application and system programs in object-oriented programming environment, said source listings comprising a plurality of symbols for instructing operation of a program, said system comprising: a compiler, said compiler inputting said source listing, said source listing comprising said symbols, and outputting a object file with references associated with said symbols; and a browser for reading said references associated with said symbols in said object file and using said references to determine program information for a symbol of interest.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system recited in claim 19 wherein said references include relative position of the symbol of interest in the source listing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said browser comprises scope identification means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer as recited in claim 20 wherein said source listing comprises one of Pascal, C, C++, and assembler listings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said object file is linked with other object and library files for creating an executable program.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said compiler translates said symbols into machine instructions executable by said central processor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said symbols are selected ones of program variables and functions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said symbols are selected ones of program classes, objects, and class methods.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system as recited in claim 26 wherein said information specifies relationships between said classes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said input device comprises a pointing device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said information comprises at least one of a name, a type, and related members of the symbol.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system as recited in claim 29 wherein said type comprises a class and where said related members comprise superclasses and subclasses of the class.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system as recited in claim 29 wherein said at least one type is a selected one of a variable and a function.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said information comprises scope of said symbol of interest determined from data indicating relative position of the symbol of interest.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: making changes to said source listing; recompiling said source listing to form a recompiled object file; and using said references to determine new information specific to said symbol of interest from said references stored in said recompiled object file.
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) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |