Method and system for auto-formatting a document using an event-based

Abstract

A method for interactively formatting a document uses event-based rules to trigger auto-formatting actions as the user types. An event monitor intercepts user input events such as the typing of characters on the keyboard to detect predefined events. In response to these predefined events, a rule-based event engine schedules rules dependent on the events in event interval sections of a rule base. The event engine evaluates rules scheduled in an event interface section of the rule base when an event interval occurs. When a rule is evaluated, further rules can be scheduled for evaluation in the same event interval section or other interval sections. A special type of rule, called an action rule, can generate autoformat actions when it is evaluated. When an action rule is evaluated and is satisfied, the event engine places the action or actions associated with the action rule in a queue. The event monitor then invokes actions in the queue to automatically format the document as the user types.