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US6151605A
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Generic configuration file processing library and executable
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-05-29
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2018-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of configuring software applications is provided. A configuration file processing library implements a configuration file processor. Applications are compiled utilizing the configuration file processing library to generate generic configuration file processing code for reading and manipulating data in a generic configuration file. When the file is executed, the application stantiates a configuration file processor applications programming interface through which the configuration file is read or manipulated by applications independent of the user's operating environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Costa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; G06F9/44505; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for allowing a software application to access a configuration file, said configuration file comprising data used by said software application, comprising the steps of: providing a configuration processing library, said configuration processing library comprising a body of callable executable code which provides flexible parsing functionality for reading and manipulating data in configuration files; inserting calls to said callable executable code into said application to read and/or manipulate said configuration file; compiling said application with said configuration processing library; and executing said application, wherein execution of said calls inserted in said application allow said application to read and/or manipulate said configuration file.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for allowing a software application to access a configuration file, said configuration file comprising data used by said software application, comprising the steps of: providing a configuration processing library, said configuration processing library comprising a body of callable executable code which provides flexible parsing functionality for reading and manipulating data in configuration files; inserting calls to said callable executable code into said application to read and/or manipulate said configuration file; compiling said application with said configuration processing library; and executing said application, wherein execution of said calls inserted in said application allow said application to read and/or manipulate said configuration file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising: obtaining an input string; and replacing tokens in said input string with associated values obtained from said configuration file.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising: returning data structures to said application containing values of a first attribute in said configuration file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising: specifying an attribute name; and providing from said library a predetermined list of values in response to receiving said attribute name.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said library comprises C++ classes, said C++ classes collectively providing generic configuration file processing capability.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said application includes code to instantiate a processing object of said configuration file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising: instantiating a configuration processing object using predetermined constructors; and performing method calls on one or more methods of said object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, comprising: storing processing results in in-memory data structures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 8, comprising: synchronizing said configuration file to said in-memory data structures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein; said object returns a character string that contains a path to a configuration file.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said object creates a configuration file if an appropriate configuration file does not preexist.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, comprising: determining an attribute name and an associated attribute value for a next data entry in said configuration file.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein: said attribute name and said associated attribute value are determined at the time of said instantiating step.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, comprising: creating an entry in said configuration file based upon predetermined entry types passed to said configuration file.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for an application to process an arbitrary configuration file, said configuration file comprising at least one attribute, each of said at least one attribute comprising zero, one or more associated values each separated in sequence by a set of separator characters, said method comprising the steps of: compiling said application with a generic configuration file processing library, said configuration processing library comprising a body of callable executable code which provides flexible parsing functionality for reading and manipulating data in configuration files and said application comprising calls to said callable executable code in said configuration processing library to read and/or manipulate said configuration file; receiving a set of separator characters; and parsing said attributes and said associated values from configuration file based on said set of separator characters.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for an application to process an arbitrary configuration file, said configuration file comprising at least one attribute, each of said at least one attribute comprising zero, one or more associated values each separated in sequence by a set of separator characters, said method comprising the steps of: compiling said application with a generic configuration file processing library, said configuration processing library comprising a body of callable executable code which provides flexible parsing functionality for reading and manipulating data in configuration files and said application comprising calls to said callable executable code in said configuration processing library to read and/or manipulate said configuration file; receiving a set of separator characters; and parsing said attributes and said associated values from configuration file based on said set of separator characters.
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) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |