Patent ID: 6718534
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer system, which comprises a host processor having an operating system that presents an interface to a plurality of application programs installed on the host processor, a method for providing users with a capability for providing controls in plurality of application programs, where a control provides properties in at least one of the plurality of application programs acting on a document object, comprising the steps of:storing data, external to the plurality of application programs, that defines a plurality of controls; providing a programming layer, for the plurality of application programs, that enables users to create an application program specific control, which provides properties for the document object, by inputting control customization data comprising control extender data for a selected one of the plurality of controls, into a selected one of the plurality of application programs; and using a container corresponding to the application program to merge control extender data associated with the one of the plurality of application program with the selected one of the plurality of controls to form the application program specific control without recompiling the application program.