Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Kevin T Looney

Jeffrey A Herman

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for receiving data analysis instructions from a user and for displaying results of the data analysis to the user. In one embodiment, the invention provides a series of interface windows displayed on a computer display screen. A first window allows a user to select one or more specification files comprising reference data specifying capabilities and or resources with which other data is to be compared. A second window allows the user to select one or more data files to be compared to the one or more specification files selected using the first window. A third window allows the user to interactively select the type of analysis to be performed and provides the results of the selected analysis to the user. The third window also allows the user to interactively apply one or more filters to the results and to select the manner (view) in which the results are displayed.

Method and apparatus for analyzing data

Embodiments of the invention can be used to assess whether a software application is compatible with an operating platform. A specification that describes the operating platform is generated using a definitional language. The specification identifies the programming resources of an operating platform. The application's dependencies and programming resources are identified. A compatibility engine is executed to resolve an application's dependencies to the specification. The output of the compatibility engine identifies whether the application conforms to the operating platform and how it deviates from the specification.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Kevin T Looney