Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Andrew C Lin

Nikhil Kothari

Scott David Guthrie

Susan M Warren

Code builders can be used to generate code segments that are customized in response to user input. An integrated development environment provides links to one or more code builders that are configured for developing specific types of code. Once a code builder is selected or dragged and dropped on a code editor, a code builder interface is launched that prompts the user for input that will be applied to a document object model describing the basic attributes of the code segment. The code builder then generates the customized code and inserts it into a desired location within the integrated development environment.

Code builders

Code and content of a program can be logically separated for display and editing within an integrated development environment. The code and content are separated by the application of a separation algorithm that extracts the code and content into discrete buffers. A user can then designate what portions of the program they wish to view, including a code only view, a content only view, a design view, or a consolidated content and code view. While in any of the foregoing views, the program can be edited with tools and components provided by the integrated development environment. Thereafter, the logically separated portions of the program can be merged back together into a single program file.

Logical separation of code and content

Access to remotely located components for developing programs is provided with an interface that is launched from directly within an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The interface is configured to access one or more desired component repositories through a web service. A programmer can use the interface to query the component repositories for one or more desired components. The interface can also provide additional information that is known about the identified components, as obtained from the web service hosting the component repositories. Once the one or more desired components are identified, the interface can also be used to download and install the components directly into the component toolboxes of the IDE for immediate use. The components may include various files that are contained in a modified dynamic loadable library (DLL) file format or another format that allows the files to be authenticated.

Integrated development environment access to remotely located components

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is configured with an online community interface for accessing online community resources, such as contacts and information, directly through the Internet or other networks. The online community  interface displays icons and other selectable objects that are associated with contacts or webpages. Upon selecting an object associated with a contact, an email or instant messaging window is launched that enables communication with the one or more contacts. Upon selecting an object associated with a webpage, a browser is launched that accesses and displays the webpage. The online community interface also enables an IDE element, such as a development tool or program snippet to be copied from the IDE and sent to a desired contact through the IDE interface.

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Andrew C Lin