JP2000089944A - Method for displaying connection guide marker, system therefor and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To aid visual connection between software components. SOLUTION: In the case of arranging software components 301 to 303 on the screen 300 of a computer and visually connecting these components 301 to 303 to construct an objective application, a connection guide marker to be a guide is displayed between connectable software components to aid connecting operation between software components.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a componentware which is a technique for constructing a target application by visually arranging componentized software on a computer screen and connecting them to each other. The present invention relates to a method and system for displaying a connection guide marker that is useful for supporting interconnection and reducing connection time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Componentware, which is a method of constructing a target application by converting software into components, arranging the software components on a computer screen, and connecting the components to each other, is gradually spreading. The software components arranged on the computer screen are provided with ports for connection. The connection operation is performed by instructing a pair of ports for connection provided in each software component. In the conventional technology, a line segment that expands and contracts like a rubber thread from the mouth of the connection source software component is displayed by pointing the mouth of the connection source software component with the pointing cursor, and the line segment follows the movement of the pointing cursor. Means for visually displaying the pair of the software component to be connected to the port have become widespread.

[0003]

However, there are two types of ports for connecting software components, input and output, and ports of the same type cannot be connected to each other. That is, it is not possible to connect the input ports or the output ports. Further, even if the ports are of different types, ports having different interfaces for connection cannot be connected to each other. That is, even when the output port and the input port are connected, they cannot be connected if the interfaces of these ports are different. Due to such constraints, the connection operation is not always successful. To ensure a successful connection, the user must somehow recognize a software component that has a port that can be reliably connected.

However, conventionally, no means has been taken for the user to recognize a software component having a port that can be reliably connected, so that a connection operation is actually performed, and connection is impossible or the connection is impossible depending on the success or failure. It turns out that it is possible. For this reason, if the connection is not possible, it is necessary to return to the operation stage before the connection operation and perform the connection operation again, which causes a problem that the working efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to recognize the success or failure of connection between software components before or during a connection operation, not after a connection operation, thereby preventing an operation return due to an erroneous connection and reducing a work time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection guide marker display method and system capable of shortening the connection guide marker.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a connection guide marker serving as a guide is displayed between connectable software components to support a connection operation between software components. And In addition, a software component to be connected is highlighted.
Further, when the software component to be connected is outside the visible area of the screen, information that can specify the software component to be connected is displayed near the guide marker. Further, the connection status is learned by combining the type of the software component of the connection source and the type of the software component of the connection destination, and the display form (color density, line width, etc.) of the connection guide marker is changed according to the learning result. It is characterized by displaying. In addition, the type of software component of the connection source,
Accumulates the number of connections by the combination of the types of software components of the connection destination, and when there are connection candidates from the connection source software components to multiple software components of the connection destination, the software of the connection destination that is the type of the maximum number of connections It is characterized in that the display form (color, line type, etc.) of the connection guide marker to the component is changed and displayed.

[0007] A computer system to which the present invention is applied includes a pointing device, a display device, and a computer, and examines attributes (such as types of input / output ports) of software components displayed on a display screen of the display device, and is connectable. Means for displaying a connection guide marker serving as a guide between software components having various attributes.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a connection guide marker display device to which the present invention is applied. The connection guide marker is a display of graphics, characters, and the like displayed between connectable software components in a means for arranging software components in a component on a computer screen and visually connecting them to develop an application. . In FIG. 1, a computer 201
, A pointing device 204 and a display device 205 are connected. In the computer 201, the connection guide marker display device 202 and the application development means 2
03 is running. Application development means 203
Arranges software components visually,
It is a means for developing a target application by connecting with each other. The connection guide marker display device 202 cooperates with the application development unit 203 to extend the visual application development function of the application development unit 203.

[0009] The connection guide marker display device 202 comprises connection guide marker display means 207 and component display means 208. Component display means 208
Reads the component position information and the like from the component storage means 206 of the application development means 203 and displays them on the display device 205 as graphics. The connection guide marker display means 207 is a pointing device 204
In response to the movement, the position information and the like of the component are read from the component storage unit 206 and the connection guide marker is displayed on the display device 205. As a result, a graphic display of the component and a connection guide marker are combined and displayed on the display device 205.

Next, a display method of the connection guide marker will be described with reference to a screen of the display device 205. FIG. 2 shows a screen of the display device 205 when there is no connection guide marker.
Three software components (A) 301, (B) 302, and (C) 303 are arranged in the visible area 300 of the screen. In the display state of FIG. 2, the connection-source software component (A) 301 is changed to the connection-destination software component (B) 30.
2, and (C) 303 are trying to connect to one of them. The user operates the pointing device 204 and follows the movement of the pointing device 204 to display the display device 20.
Pointing cursor 305 moving on screen 5
On the software component (A) 301 of the connection source, and select the software component (A) 301. The selection operation is an operation such as clicking a button of the pointing device 204. With this operation, a line segment 304 that appears to expand and contract like a rubber thread following the movement of the pointing cursor 305 is displayed from the output port 307 of the software component (A) 301.

In FIG. 2, the connection source software component (A)
Since there is no software component that can be connected to the output port 307 of 301, no connection guide marker is displayed.
By this screen display, the connection source software component (A) 30
It turns out that there is no software component that can be connected to 1. The determination as to whether the software component is connectable is made by comparing the interfaces for connection held by the software component, and the matching one is made connectable.

FIG. 2 is the same as the screen display according to the prior art. However, according to the conventional technique, it is unknown in this display whether there is a software component connectable to the connection source software component (A) 301. For this reason, it is necessary to move the pointing cursor 305 and sequentially execute a connection operation with the software components (B) 302 and (C) 303 to determine whether connection is possible, and execute a connection operation for a software component that cannot be connected. Waste may occur.

FIG. 3 shows a screen of the display device 205 when there is a connection guide marker. In FIG. 3, three software components (A) 301,
(B) 302 and (C) 303 are arranged. The display state in FIG. 3 indicates the connection-source software component (A) 301.
To the software components (B) 302 and (C) 3 of the connection destination
3 shows a process of trying to connect to either one of the devices. By operating the pointing device 204, the display device 205 follows the movement of the pointing device 204.
The pointing cursor 305 that moves on the screen of
The software component (A) 301 is selected according to the connection source software component (A) 301. With this operation, a line segment 304 that appears to expand and contract like a rubber thread following the movement of the pointing cursor 305 is displayed from the output port 307 of the software component (A) 301.

In FIG. 3, the connection source software component (A)
A connection guide marker 312 indicated by a broken line is displayed between the input ports 308 of the software component (B) 302 connectable to the output port 307 of the 301. However, no connection guide marker is displayed between the input port 310 of the software component (C) 303 that cannot be connected to the output port 307 of the connection source software component (A) 301. This screen display shows that there is one software component that can be connected to the connection source software component (A) 301, and that the software component is the software component (B) 302. The display of the connection guide marker 312 guarantees that the connection from the software component (A) 301 to the software component (B) 302 succeeds in the subsequent operation.

FIG. 4 shows a screen of the display device 205 when the screen is reduced. In FIG. 4, visible area 3 of the screen
00, three software components (A) 301,
Although (B) 302 and (C) 303 are arranged, the screen is reduced and the example of the screen when the information for identifying each software component is unreadable is shown. , Connection source software component (A) 301
To the software components (B) 302 and (C) 3 of the connection destination
3 shows a process of trying to connect to either one of the devices. By operating the pointing device 204, the display device 205 follows the movement of the pointing device 204.
The pointing cursor 305 that moves on the screen of
The software component (A) 301 is selected according to the connection source software component (A) 301. With this operation, a line segment 304 that appears to expand and contract like a rubber thread following the movement of the pointing cursor 305 is displayed from the output port 307 of the software component (A) 301.

In FIG. 4, the connection source software component (A)
A connection guide marker 312 is displayed between the input ports 308 of the software component (B) 302 connectable to the output port 307 of the 301. Further, the connectable software component (B) 302 is highlighted. In the componentware, the number of software components to be arranged is on the order of several to several tens. Particularly, when the number of arrangements is large, the screen is often reduced in order to see through the entire layout. Because the screen is reduced,
The information for identifying each software component is unreadable. Also, even if the screen is not reduced,
As the connection between the software components progresses, the connected line segments are crowded in a spider web shape, and the visibility is reduced by crossing over the software components. In any of the above cases, by highlighting the connectable software component (B) 302, it is possible to instantly recognize it on the screen and switch to an appropriate screen display.

FIG. 5 shows a screen of the display device 205 when connecting to a software component arranged outside the screen. In FIG. 5, two software components (A) 301 and (B) 302 are arranged in the visible area 300 of the screen.
One software component D outside the visible area 300 of the screen
314 are arranged. Software part D314
Is not displayed on the screen of the display device 205. In the display state of FIG. 5, the connection source software component (A) 301 is
Connected software components (B) 302 and (C) 303
Shows the process of trying to connect to either one of these. By operating the pointing device 204, a pointing cursor 305 that moves on the screen of the display device 205 following the movement of the pointing device 204 is positioned on the software component (A) 301 of the connection source, and the software component (A) 301 is moved. select. By this operation,
From the output port 307 of the software component (A) 301,
A line segment 304 that appears to expand and contract like a rubber thread following the movement of the pointing cursor 305 is displayed.

In FIG. 5, the connection source software component (A)
The connection guide marker 31 between the input port 315 of the software component D314 connectable to the output port 307 of the output 301
7 is displayed. Further, in the vicinity of the point where the connection guide marker 317 intersects the visible area 300 of the screen, the information “To
D "313 is displayed. This information display makes it possible to know the software component of the connection candidate without switching the screen being displayed. This information is displayed in the visible area 3 of the screen.
There is a feature that a software component to be truly connected can be specified from a plurality of connectable software component candidates that are distributed and arranged outside 00 without involving a screen switching operation.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the component storage means 206 for displaying the connection guide marker. In the component storage means 206,
All the components (C1) to (Cn) arranged on the display device 205 are stored in n components. Each component is composed of a name, an attribute, a set of information on input, a set of information on output, and a program code of the component. The information on the input is a set of I elements from input 1 to input I. Each input element is composed of a method name, the number of parameters P, and a set of P parameter names and types. The output information is composed of a set of J parameter names and types from output 1 to output J. Each output element is composed of a method name, the number of parameters Q, and a set of Q parameter names and types.

FIG. 7 shows connection guide marker display means 207.
It is a flowchart which shows the content of a process. The connection guide marker display means 207 retrieves the specified connection source component (Ca) from the component storage means 206 (step 701). Next, the variable k that controls the loop
(Step 702). Next, a candidate component (Ck) to be connected to (Ca) is retrieved from the component storage unit 207 (step 70).
3). Next, 1 is substituted for a variable i for controlling the loop (step 704). Next, the specified output j of (Ca) is compared with the input i of (Ck) to determine whether the number of parameters and all parameters have the same parameter name and type (step 705).

Next, if the comparison result in step 705 does not match, the connection guide marker is not displayed (step 70).
6). If the comparison results in step 705 match, it is next determined whether to use the learning function. (Step 71
2). The learning function is realized by the connection status learning unit 209 in FIG. 1 and will be described later. Next, when the learning function is used according to the determination result of step 712, the display form of the connection guide marker is determined using the learning function. Details of this processing will be described later (step 713).

Next, if the result of determination in step 712 indicates that the learning function is not to be used, the display form of the guide marker is set to a standard value (step 714). Next, a connection guide marker is displayed from (Ca) to (Ck) (step 70).
7). Next, 1 is added to the variable i for controlling the loop (step 708). Next, it is compared whether i is smaller than I, and if it is smaller, the process returns to step 705 (step 70).
9). Next, 1 is added to the variable k for controlling the loop (step 710). Next, it is compared whether k is smaller than K, and if k is smaller, the process returns to step 703 (step 71).
1).

Although the connection guide marker described above is displayed as a line segment, it can also be displayed by highlighting or connecting a connectable software component to a specific color. The same function can be realized.

FIG. 8 shows a screen of the display device 205 when a connection is made to a software component using the learning function of the connection status learning means 209. In FIG. 8, visible area 3 of the screen
00, three software components (A) 301,
(B) 302 and (E) 318 are arranged. The display state in FIG. 8 indicates the connection source software component (A) 301.
To the software components (B) 302 and (E) 3 of the connection destination
18 shows a process of trying to connect to any one of E.18. By operating the pointing device 204, the display device 205 follows the movement of the pointing device 204.
The pointing cursor 305 that moves on the screen of
The software component (A) 301 is selected according to the connection source software component (A) 301. With this operation, a line segment 304 that appears to expand and contract like a rubber thread following the movement of the pointing cursor 305 is displayed from the output port 307 of the software component (A) 301.

In FIG. 8, the connection source software component (A)
Between the input port 308 of the software component (B) 302 connectable to the output port 307 of 301 and the input of the software component (E) 318 connectable to the output port 307 of the connection source software component (A) 301. Connection guide markers 312 and 320 indicated by broken lines are displayed between the mouths 319, respectively. At this time, the connection source software component (A) 3
01 and connectable software component (B) 30
The display form of the connection guide markers 312 and 320 changes depending on the result of learning the combination of the types 2 and (E) 318.

In FIG. 8, the connection guide marker 312 is indicated by a dotted line, and the connection guide marker 320 is indicated by a broken line. With this display, when selecting one of a plurality of connectable software components, the degree of the past connection status can be instantaneously known, and the determination is facilitated. The display mode of the connection guide marker is intended to reflect the degree of the past connection status based on the learning result, and therefore, in addition to the change in the line type, a change in line width or a change in line density may be used. .

In FIG. 8, in addition to the above, among the plurality of connection guide markers, the display form of the connection guide marker most recommended to be connected is changed based on the learned results. According to the learning result, the connectable software component (E) is better than the type 1 of the connectable software component (A) 301 connected to the connectable software component (B) 302 of the type 2. 3
If it is assumed that the number of connection results with Type 3, which is one of the 18 types, is higher, the connection guide marker 320 is highlighted in red or the like. The highlighting makes it possible to instantly identify the connectable software component whose connection is most recommended from among the plurality of connection guide markers. Since the purpose of the highlight display is an alternative display, in addition to a change in color, a change in luminance or the like may be used.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the connection status learning means 209 for learning the connection status. The connection status learning unit 209 stores a plurality of entries, and holds the number of stored entries. Each entry is a connection source component type 90
1. Connection destination component type 902, number of connections 90
3 The number of connections 903 includes the type 901 of the connection source component and the type 90 of the connection destination component.
The number of times connection is performed by the combination of the two is accumulated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing contents of the connection guide marker display means 207 when the connection state learning means 209 is used, and is a detailed procedure of step 713 in FIG. First, a color, which is one of the display forms of the connection guide marker, is set to the standard color, and the color density is set to the standard color density. The standard color and the standard color density refer to the color and the color density at which the connection guide marker is displayed when the learning function is not used (step 801).

Next, the number of entries in the connection status learning means 209 is compared with 0, and if it is 0, the process is terminated (step 8).
02). Next, 0 is substituted for a variable M that stores the maximum number of connections, and −1 is substituted for a variable x that stores an index indicating an entry of the connection status learning unit 209 having the maximum number of connections. If x is negative, it indicates that the entry with the maximum number of connections does not exist in the connection status learning means 209 (step 803). Next, 1 is substituted for a variable i for controlling the loop (step 804). Next, connection status learning means 2
09 is taken out (step 80)
5).

Next, it is compared whether or not the type of the connection source component matches the type of the connection source in the extracted entry. If the type of the connection source does not match, the process proceeds to step 812 (step 806). Next, as a result of the comparison in step 806, if the types of the connection sources match, it is compared whether the type of the connection destination component matches the type of the connection destination in the extracted entry (step 807). Next, as a result of the comparison in step 807, when the types of the connection destinations match, the color density of the connection guide marker is increased according to the number of times of connection in the extracted entry (step 809).
Next, M is compared with the number of connections in the extracted entry (step 810). Next, as a result of the comparison in step 810, if the number of connections in the entry is larger than M, the number of connections in the entry is substituted for M, and i is substituted for x. (Step). Next, 1 is added to i (step 812).

Next, i is compared with the number of entries of the connection status learning means 209. If i is smaller than the number of entries, the process returns to step 805 (step 813). Next, it is determined whether x is negative, and if it is negative, the process is terminated (step 81).
4). Next, as a result of the determination in Step 814, if x is not negative, the x-th entry of the connection status learning means 209 is extracted (Step 815). Next, it is compared whether the type of the connection destination component matches the type of the connection destination in the extracted entry (step 816). Next, as a result of the comparison in step 816, if the type of the connection source matches, the color of the connection guide marker is changed to an emphasized color (step 817).

The processing shown in FIG. 7 and the processing shown in FIG. 10 can be stored as a computer-readable program on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and provided to users of various computers.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, connectable software is provided in a system for arranging software components into a computer screen and visually connecting the software components to develop or support the application. By displaying a connection guide marker serving as a guide between components and supporting the connection between software components, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A software component connectable to the connection source software component can be instantaneously recognized on the screen. (2) Even when the screen is reduced or the display is crowded, the position of the connectable software component can be instantaneously recognized and the screen can be switched to an appropriate screen. (3) Even if the connectable software component is outside the screen visible area, the connectable software component can be recognized without switching the screen. (4) It is possible to instantly recognize on the screen the connection results of the combination of the types of connectable software components and the types of connectable software components. (5) When there are a plurality of connectable software components in the connectable software component, the connectable software component most recommended to be connected can be instantaneously recognized on the screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a connection guide marker display device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example when there is no connection guide marker.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example when there is a connection guide marker.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a connection guide marker when the screen is reduced.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a connection guide marker to a software component outside the screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of a component storage means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a connection guide marker display unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a connection guide marker when a learning function is used.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of a connection status learning unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for determining a display form of a connection guide marker using a learning function.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... computer, 202 ... guide marker display device,
203: Application development means, 204: Pointing device, 205: Display device, 206: Component storage means, 207: Guide marker display means, 208 ...
Component display means, 209 ... connection status learning means,
300: visible area of the screen of the display device, 301: software component (A), 302: software component (B), 30
3 ... software component (C), 304 ... line segment expanding and contracting like a rubber thread, 305 ... pointing cursor, 306 ...
Software component (A) input port, 307 ... Software component (A) output port, 308 ... Software component (B) input port, 309 ... Software component (B) output port, 310 ... Software component (C) input mouth,
311 ... Output port of software component (C) 312 ...
Connection guide marker line segment, 313... Information capable of specifying a software component, 314... Software component (D), 31
5: Input port of software component (D), 316: Output port of software component (D), 317: Connection guide marker line segment.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A method for displaying a connection guide marker for arranging software components in a part on a computer screen and visually connecting the arranged software components to construct a target application. A connection guide marker display method, wherein a connection guide marker serving as a guide is displayed between connectable software components to support a connection operation between software components. 2. The connection guide marker display method according to claim 1, wherein the connection destination software component is highlighted. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein, when the software component to be connected is outside the visible area of the screen, information for identifying the software component to be connected is displayed near the guide marker. Connection guide marker display method. 4. A learning means for learning a connection status based on a combination of a type of a software component of a connection source and a type of a software component of a connection destination, and a display form of a connection guide marker is changed according to a learning result by the learning means. The connection guide marker display method according to claim 1, wherein the connection guide marker is displayed while being changed. 5. A learning means for learning a connection status based on a combination of a type of a software component of a connection source and a type of a software component of a connection destination, and connecting the software component of the connection source to a plurality of software components of a connection destination. The display form of a connection guide marker for a connection-target software component of the type most recommended to be connected is displayed when a candidate is present.
Any of the connection guide marker display methods described above. 6. A pointing device, a display device, a software component storage means, and a computer, a plurality of software components are displayed on a screen of the display device, and the displayed software components are connected by a selection operation by the pointing device. A connection guide marker for examining attributes of software components displayed on a display screen of the display device and guiding between software components having connectable attributes. Computer means comprising means for displaying 7. A program for displaying a plurality of software components on a screen of a display device, connecting the displayed software components by a selection operation using a pointing device, and supporting creation of a target application. A recording medium for reading a plurality of software components from a storage means and displaying the plurality of software components on a display screen of a display device; examining attributes of all displayed software components or specified software components; Recording a computer-readable program including a process of displaying a connection guide marker serving as a guide between software components having a program.