Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Greg B Nuyens

Frank E Ludolph

Brad G Fowlow

Hans E Muller

Keith L Messer

Nikhyl Singhal

Qiang A Zhao

A method, apparatus, and program code visually constructs object-oriented application software to be installed on a distributed object system. The method of the invention includes the following steps. Initially, the method provides a catalog facility which contains components having references to pre-existing objects within a distributed object system. A component is selected from the catalog facility for inclusion in the application software. A part corresponding to the object referenced by the selected component is derived from the selected component. The part is then made available to an application construction environment. In this environment, the part can be linked to at least one other part that also references a pre-existing object in the distributed object system. Graphical facilities are provided within the application construction environment for selecting and defining links among parts. Links define relationships between parts and thereby provide computer code for the application software under construction. When the part is linked to another part in the application construction environment, computer code is generated that will be effective to implement the relationship between the parts when the application program is run.

Visual composition tool for constructing application programs using distributed objects on a distributed object network

Visual composition tool for constructing application programs using

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for selecting and reviewing a distributed object installed on a distributed object system. A method of the invention includes generating a library of components corresponding to distributed objects on the distributed object system, which includes one component corresponding to the distributed object. Each of the components of the library includes information describing the distributed object to which the particular component corresponds. The contents of the library are displayed using a catalog interface device. The library is browsed using the catalog interface device to identify the component corresponding to the distributed object which is then selected. At least a portion of the information describing the distributed object is displayed.

Cataloging apparatus for facilitating the re-use of distributed objects

An improved technique for monitoring computer processes and their attributes using a three-dimensional graphical image. The three dimensional graphical image is formed by displaying the graphical objects associated with the computer processes and their attributes. The physical relationship between the various graphical objects within the graphical image preferably model the actual relationships between the processes and their attributes. The computers which run or activate the processes may also be represented by a graphical object within the graphical image. As the attributes of the computer processes change, the characteristics of the graphical objects are quickly adjusted and the three-dimensional graphical image is updated to reflect the changes to the attributes of the computer processes being monitored. By varying the characteristics of the graphical objects, a user is able to visually notice the changes that occur to the graphical objects of the three-dimensional graphical image as an indication of the changes taking place to the attributes of the processes being monitored.

Three-dimensional real-time monitoring of attributes of computer

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Greg B Nuyens