Patent ID: 6493704
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A computer implemented method for guiding a user through a component definition process, comprising:receiving a first request to define a format for an instance of a first type of component; involving a generic builder engine in response to said first request, said engine accessing a first set of metadata associated with said first type of component, said first set of metadata specifying a first set of information to solicit for defining said format for said instance of said first type of component, said engine dynamically generating, based upon said first set of metadata, a first set of one or more display pages for soliciting said fist set of information; receiving a second request to define a format for an instance of a second type of component; and invoking, in response to said second request, the same generic builder engine as that invoked in response to said first request, said engine accessing a second set of metadata associated with said second type of component, said second set of metadata specifying a second set of information to solicit for defining said format for said instance of said second type of component, said engine dynamically generating, based upon said second set of metadata, a second set of one or more display pages for soliciting said second set of information.