Method to document relations between objects using a graphical interface tree component

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1 , wherein the objects are parts of a data base.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 2 , wherein the parts of the data base include at least three types: tables, indexes and views.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 3 , wherein when a table is selected to be expanded by a user with a pointing device, indexes and views having a logical connection to the table are displayed, grouped by type.

Claim 6

The method according to claim 1 , further comprising making changes to an object in place with a pointing device and a data input device by selecting the object in the graphical tree structure, right-clicking on the selected object to display a context menu, selecting properties in the context menu, entering data according to a desired change, and closing the context menu, wherein the graphical tree structure is refreshed to show the change.

Claim 7

A computer program product, comprising: a recording medium; and instruction means, disposed on the recording medium, for causing a computer to implement the method of documenting relations between objects using a graphical interface tree component according to claim 1 .

Claim 8

A computer system having processing means, storage means, a pointing device, a data input device, and display means, and operating a graphical user interface utilizing the method according to claim 1 .

Claim 9

A displayed graphical interface tree component, comprising: a displayed graphical tree structure of objects grouped by type; wherein, an object in the tree can be expanded by a user with a pointing device, thereby displaying in the graphical tree structure, objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded, grouped by type, wherein the objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded are contained in a different container from the object that is expanded.

Claim 10

A displayed graphical interface tree component, comprising: a displayed graphical tree structure of objects grouped by type; wherein, an object in the tree can be expanded by a user with a pointing device, thereby displaying in the graphical tree structure, objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded, grouped by type, wherein the objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded are contained in a different container from the object that is expanded.

Claim 11

In a computer system having a display and having a data base application with component parts stored therein, a method of displaying and manipulating the data base comprising: accessing logical relationships between parts of the data base; and displaying the logical relationships between parts of the data base as a graphical tree structure of objects grouped by type; wherein, an object in the tree can be expanded by a user using a pointing device, thereby displaying in the graphical tree structure, objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded, grouped by type, wherein the objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded are contained in a different container from the object that is expanded.

Claim 12

In a computer system having a display and having a data base application with component parts stored therein, a method of displaying and manipulating the data base comprising: accessing logical relationships between parts of the data base; and displaying the logical relationships between parts of the data base as a graphical tree structure of objects grouped by type; wherein, an object in the tree can be expanded by a user using a pointing device, thereby displaying in the graphical tree structure, objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded, grouped by type, wherein the objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded are contained in a different container from the object that is expanded.

Claim 13

The method according to claim 9 , further comprising: displaying a context menu for an object in response to a right-clicking on the object with a pointing device by a user.

Claim 14

The method according to claim 9 , further comprising: enabling a user to make changes to an object in place by selecting the object in the graphical tree structure with a pointing device, right-clicking on the selected object to display a context menu, selecting properties in the context menu, entering data according to a desired change, and closing the context menu, wherein the graphical tree structure is thereafter refreshed to show the change.

Claim 15

The method according to claim 9 , wherein the parts of the data base include at least three types: tables, indexes and views.

Claim 16

The method according to claim 12 , wherein when a table is selected to be expanded by a user, indexes and views having a logical connection to the table are displayed, grouped by type.

Claim 17

A computer system, comprising: processing means for performing data processing; storage means for storing data including objects and program instructions; display means for displaying graphical representations to a user; and input means for inputting data; wherein the program instructions implement a graphical user interface which causes the display of a graphical tree structure of objects grouped by type and logical relationships between objects, wherein, an object in the tree can be expanded by a user using the input means, thereby displaying in the graphical tree structure, objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded, grouped by type, wherein the objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded are contained in a different container firm the object that is expanded.

Claim 18

A computer system, comprising: processing means for performing data processing; storage means for storing data including objects and program instructions; display means for displaying graphical representations to a user; and input means for inputting data; wherein the program instructions implement a graphical user interface which causes the display of a graphical tree structure of objects grouped by type and logical relationships between objects, wherein, an object in the tree can be expanded by a user using the input means, thereby displaying in the graphical tree structure, objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded, grouped by type, wherein the objects having a logical connection to the object that is expanded are contained in a different container firm the object that is expanded.