Patent Abstract:
A computer system for using an undo stack to explore past actions and apply new actions to previous states in a data view is provided. The computer system includes program instructions to detect a change in an application data view. The application then displays an undo stack and stores the data change in the application data view to the undo stack. Upon detecting a selection of the undo stack entry for undo, the application returns the application data view to the state represented by the undo stack entry. The computer system further includes program instructions to provide a user interface allowing a user to perform operations on undo stack entries. Responsive to the user utilizing the user interface and making selections, the application then adjusts the application data view state based on the performed actions.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of business analytics, and more particularly to the use of an undo stack to explore past actions in a business analytics view. 
         [0002]    Generally speaking, business analytics (BA) refers to the skills, technologies, and practices for continuous iterative exploration and investigation of past business performance to gain insight and drive business planning. In many cases, business analytics focuses on developing new insights and understanding of business performance based on data and statistical methods. Examples of business analytics include exploring data to discover new patterns and relationships (i.e., data mining), explaining why certain business results occurred (i.e., statistical analysis), and forecasting future business results (i.e., predictive modeling, or predictive analytics). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for using an undo stack to explore past actions and apply new actions to previous states in a data view. The method includes detecting a change in an application data view. The application then displays an undo stack and stores the data change in the application data view to the undo stack. Upon detecting a selection of the undo stack entry for undo, the application returns the application data view to the state represented by the undo stack entry. The method further includes providing a user interface allowing a user to perform operations on undo stack entries. Responsive to the user utilizing the user interface and making selections, the application then adjusts the application data view state based on the performed actions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating an analytics data processing environment, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2A  is a functional block diagram depicting an undo stack in a business analytics software data view, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , after a user initializes an application, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2B  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a swap operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2C  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a sort operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2D  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a filter operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2E  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a keep operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , after a user selects an action to perform a “sort ascending” operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , displaying the current view after a user selects an action to perform a “hide column” operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3D  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , displaying the action taken on a previous view in the undo stack, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3E  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack in, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , displaying the contents and last action of a previous view in the undo stack with available actions, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting operational steps of analytics software, performing operations using an undo stack for various analytic views on a client device within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of components of the computer executing the analytics software, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Embodiments in accordance with the present invention use an undo stack to explore past actions and/or apply new actions to previous states in business analytics data views. In business analytics data views, many items can be modified by the user. Working with multiple data views of an application sometimes results in users losing a data view when switching to another view. Returning back to a previous view may require the application to repopulate the view with the previous data all over again. Another drawback is that a user might not be able to see that an action has taken place on a data view once the user switches to a new view. This can be cumbersome when switching back and forth between data views is necessary for completing a task. Sometimes the change in the data view is a small number change (e.g., a single data value change) and sometimes the change is a small structure change (e.g., copy and paste of a set of data) that is applied to the data view. Transitions can be shown to users, for example by using animations, but known animations do not inform the user that a new action has been applied, and that the user can undo the applied action. There is a need in business analytics applications to have a method that combines working with an undo stack to show a user what actions have taken place and performing actions to return to past states or otherwise use past action information in helpful ways. 
         [0018]    Embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures.  FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram, generally designated  100 , illustrating an analytics data processing environment, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0019]    Analytics data processing environment  100  includes computer  102  and servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136 , all interconnected over network  116 . Computer  102  includes user interface (UI)  104 , random access memory (RAM)  106 , central processing unit (CPU)  108 , and persistent storage  110 . Computer  102  may be a Web server, or any other electronic device or computing system, capable of processing program instructions and receiving and sending data. In some embodiments, computer  102  may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating over a data connection to network  116 . In other embodiments, computer  102  may represent server computing systems utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a distributed computing environment. In general, computer  102  is representative of any electronic devices or combinations of electronic devices capable of executing machine-readable program instructions and communicating with servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136  via network  116  and with various components and devices within analytics data processing environment  100 . 
         [0020]    Computer  102  includes user interface  104 . User interface  104  is a program that provides an interface between a user of computer  102  and a plurality of applications that reside on computer  102  (e.g., analytics software  112 ), and/or applications on computing devices that may be accessed over a data connection on network  116 . A user interface, such as user interface  104 , refers to the information (e.g., graphic, text, sound) that a program presents to a user and the control sequences the user employs to control the program. User interface  104  is a type of interface that allows users to interact with peripheral devices (i.e., external computer hardware that provides input and output for a computing device, such as a keyboard and mouse) through graphical icons and visual indicators as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels, or text navigation. The actions in GUIs are often performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements. A variety of types of user interfaces exist. In one embodiment, user interface  104  is a graphical user interface (GUI). In another embodiment, user interface  104  may be a web user interface (WUI) and can display text, documents, web browser windows, user options, application interfaces, and instructions for operation, and includes the information (such as graphic, text, and sound) that a program presents to a user and the control sequences the user employs to control the program. User interface  104  may also be mobile application software that provides an interface between a user of computer  102  and server  118 ,  124 ,  130 , and  136  over a data connection on network  116 . Mobile application software, or an “app,” is a computer program designed to run on smart phones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. User interface  104  enables a user of computer  102 , and analytics software  112 , to explore the undo stack to view previous actions and states, and return or apply an action to a previous state. 
         [0021]    Computer  102  includes persistent storage  110 . Persistent storage  110  may, for example, be a hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage  110  may include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage medium that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information. Analytics software  112  and analytics data  114  are stored in persistent storage  110 , which also includes operating system software, as well as software that enables computer  102  to perform one or more operations on analytics data  114  using user interface  104 , and communicate with servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136 , as well as other computing devices of analytics data processing environment  100  over a data connection on network  116 . 
         [0022]    Analytics software  112  is stored in persistent storage  110  and is used to view, add, edit, or delete data in analytics data  114  and/or from accounting data  122 , sales data  128 , supply data  134 , and manufacturing data  140 . Analytics software allows a user of computer  102  to save data views (with previous actions and states) on an undo stack. Analytics software  112  also allows a user to save pending actions on the saved data views of the undo stack, to be performed or modified at a later time. Analytics data  114  is also stored in persistent storage  110  and contains analytic data from accounting data  122  on server  118 , sales data  128  on server  124 , supply data  134  on server  130 , and manufacturing data  140  on server  136 . 
         [0023]    Computer  102  may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 1 , network  116  is shown as the interconnecting fabric between computer  102 , and servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136 . In practice, network  116  may be any viable data transport network. Network  116  can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network  116  can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between computer  102 , servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0025]    Analytics data processing environment  100  includes servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136 . In various embodiments of the present invention, servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136  can each respectively be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with computer  102  via network  116 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , servers  118 ,  124 ,  130  and  136  each include persistent storage. For example, server  118  includes persistent storage  120 , server  124  includes persistent storage  126 , server  130  includes persistent storage  132 , and server  136  includes persistent storage  138 . 
         [0026]    Persistent storage  120 ,  126 ,  132 , and  138  may, for example, be hard disk drives. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage  120 ,  126 ,  132 , and  138  may include solid state hard drives, semiconductor storage devices, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage medium that are capable of storing program instructions or digital information. Persistent storage  120 ,  126 ,  132 , and  138  also contain operating system software, as well as software that enables server  118 ,  124 ,  130 , and  136  to communicate with computer  102 , as well as other computing devices of analytics data processing environment  100  over a data connection on network  116 . 
         [0027]    Persistent storage  120  includes accounting data  122  that is used by analytics software  112  and other computing devices (not shown) of analytics data processing environment  100 . Persistent storage  126  includes sales data  128  that is used by analytics software  112  and other computing devices (not shown) of analytics data processing environment  100 . Persistent storage  132  includes supply data  134  that is used by analytics software  112  and other computing devices (not shown) of analytics data processing environment  100 . Persistent storage  138  includes manufacturing data  140  that is used by analytics software  112  and other computing devices (not shown) of analytics data processing environment  100 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  is a functional block diagram depicting an undo stack in a business analytics software data view, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , after a user initializes an application, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user of analytics software  112  opens a saved business analytics software data file that results in the initial data view being added to undo stack  202 . The resulting undo stack  202  displays the initial application state  208  as the new current state  210  with undo action  204  and redo action  206  as depicted in  FIG. 2A . Initial application state  208  represents the initial state of the application, before any actions have been performed, and current state  210  includes an arrow indicating that initial application state  208  is the current state of the analytics software data view. Undo action  204  allows a user of analytics software  112  to undo a previous action, or revert/adjust to a previous state, in the selected data view. Redo action  206  allows a user of analytics software  112  to re-apply an action or retrieve a state that had an undo action performed on it. In one example embodiment, the undo stack is displayed as a horizontal slide bar on user interface  104 , as depicted in  FIG. 2A , where the user actions or operations slide into the undo stack from the right. As more operations are performed by the user, the previous operations on the stack slide to the left as the current action in the current view is added. In other example embodiments, the undo stack may be displayed as a vertical slide bar on the left or right side of user interface  104 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2B  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a swap operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user of analytics software  112  performs a swap operation in a business analytics software data view that results in the swap operation being added to undo stack  202 . The resulting undo stack  202  displays initial application state  208 , previous action  212  (which represents the swap operation), and state  214  (which represents, or is associated with, the data view after the swap operation) as the current state  210 , as depicted in  FIG. 2B . Previous action  212  and state  214  slide in from the right side of undo stack  202 , resulting in initial application state  208  moving to the left. Previous action  212 , in addition to representing (or “containing”) the swap operation, may also contain other previous operations of initial application state  208 . An example of this, using  FIG. 2B , would be a user clicking on state  208  and saving the stored state of the initial application to use at a later time or send to a colleague. The previous action may include a drop-down menu context or a pop-up window, displaying the previous operations or states of the data view. In one example embodiment, the user of analytics software  112  may be asked to verify adding the current view to undo stack  202  prior to performing the operation (for example, the swap operation). In another example embodiment, previous action  212  may also be used to queue up pending actions to the saved data views, to be applied at a later time. Drop-down contexts and pop-up windows relating to undo stack  202  are described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 3D and 3E . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2C  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a sort operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user of analytics software  112  performs a sort operation in a business analytics software data view that results in the sort operation being added to undo stack  202 . The resulting undo stack  202  displays initial application in state  208  with previous action  212 , state  214 , previous action  216  (which represents the sort operation), and state  218  (which represents the data view after the sort operation) in current state  210 , as depicted in  FIG. 2C . Previous action  216  and state  218  slide in from the right side of undo stack  202 , resulting in initial application in state  208 , previous action  212 , and state  214  moving to the left. Previous action  216 , in addition to representing (or “containing”) the sort operation, may also contain other previous operations of state  214 . In another example embodiment, the user of analytics software  112  may configure analytics software  112 , using user interface  104 , prior to performing actions, to add only certain views, operations, and states to undo stack  202 . In another example embodiment, analytics software  112  may be able to flag a moment in time using undo stack  202  to indicate when and where analytics data  114  indicates an upward or downward trend. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2D  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a filter operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user of analytics software  112  performs a filter operation in a business analytics software data view that results in the filter operation being added to undo stack  202 . The resulting undo stack  202  displays initial application in state  208  with previous action  212 , state  214 , previous action  216 , state  218 , previous action  220  (which represents the filter operation), and state  222  (which represents the data view after the filter operation) in current state  210 , as depicted in  FIG. 2D . Previous action  220  and state  222  slide in from the right side of undo stack  202 , resulting in initial application in state  208 , previous action  212 , state  214 , previous action  216 , and state  218  moving to the left. Previous action  220 , in addition to representing (or “containing”) the filter operation, may also contain other previous actions of state  218 . In another example embodiment, the undo stack created by analytics software  112  may be saved to continue working at a later time by a user of computer  102 . In other example embodiments, analytics software  112  may be able to freeze (e.g., protect data to prevent changes from occurring), in saved data views of undo stack  202 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2E  is a functional block diagram depicting the undo stack in the business analytics software data view, after a user performs a keep operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user of analytics software  112  performs a keep operation in a business analytics software data view that results in the keep operation being added to undo stack  202 . The resulting undo stack  202  displays initial application in state  208  with previous action  212 , state  214 , previous action  216 , state  218 , previous action  220  , and state  222 , previous action  224  (which represents the keep operation), and state  226  (which represents the data view after the keep operation) in current state  210  as depicted in  FIG. 2E . Previous action  224  and state  226  slide in from the right side of undo stack  202 , resulting in initial application in state  208 , previous action  212 , state  214 , previous action  216 , state  218 , previous action  220 , state  222 , and previous action  224  moving to the left. Previous action  224 , in addition to representing (or “containing”) the keep operation, is used to contain the previous actions and/or states of state  222 . In another example embodiment, the undo stack created by analytics software  112  may be saved and exported to other computing devices (not shown) of analytics data processing environment  100 . In other example embodiments, analytics software  112  may use undo stack  202  to create macros to manipulate, perform calculations, or projections on analytics data  114  and/or accounting data  122 , and/or sales data  128 , and/or supply data  134 , and/or manufacturing data  140 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3A  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user opens a data file using analytics software  12 , to view, update, and/or delete business analytics data (e.g., analytics data  114 ) from one or more repositories (e.g., accounting data  122  on server  118 , sales data  128  on server  124 , supply data  134  on server  130 , and manufacturing data  140  on server  136 ). Analytics software  112  opens the data file and populates user interface  104  with the saved data as shown in application view  320  and depicted in  FIG. 3A . Application view  320  contains undo stack  302  with state  308  as the current state  310 . State  308  represents the initial state of the application, before any actions have been performed, and current state  310  includes an arrow indicating that initial application state  308  is the current state of the analytics software data view. Application view  320  includes a cross table with data column “2004”  322 , data column “Q1-2004”  324 , data column “Jan-2004”  326 , data column “Feb-2004”  328 , and data column “Mar-2004”  330 . Undo stack  302  contains undo action  304  and redo action  306  to undo or redo previous actions. A cross table is a two-way table, also referred to as a pivot table or a multi-dimensional table, consisting of columns and rows where data is rendered based on results of queries on one or more databases (e.g., accounting data  122 , sales data  128 , supply data  134 , and manufacturing data  140 ). Its greatest strength is its ability to structure, summarize and display large amounts of data. In other example embodiments, undo action  304  and redo action  306  may both be greyed out, or not be selectable, by a user until an action or operation is performed and stored in undo stack  302 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3B  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , after a user selects an action, or entry, to perform a “sort ascending” operation, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user performs a “sort ascending” operation on application view  320  to arrange the data contained in data column “2004”  322 , data column “Q1-2004”  324 , data column “Jan-2004”  326 , data column “Feb-2004”  328 , and data column “Mar-2004”  330  from lowest to highest. In other example embodiments, a user may sort the data contained in application view alphabetically, or by date. In general, analytics software  112  and application view  320  may perform any programmable computing operation on computer  102  or a computing device of analytics data processing environment  100 . 
         [0035]    The resulting undo stack  302  displays the initial application state  308 , previous action  312  (which represents the “sort ascending” operation), and state  314  (which represents the data view after the “sort ascending” operation) as the current state  310 , as depicted in  FIG. 3B . Previous action  312  and state  314  slide in from the right side of undo stack  302 , resulting in the initial application state  308  moving to the left. Previous action  312 , in addition to representing (or “containing”) the “sort ascending” operation, may also contain other previous operations of initial application state  308 . Undo action  304  would allow the user to adjust application view  320  back to the original data view in state  308 . Redo action  306  would be greyed our, or not selectable by the user in current data view  324 . Application view  320  in current state  310  now shows the data contained in data column “2004”  322 , data column “Q1-2004”  324 , data column “Jan-2004”  326 , data column “Feb-2004”  328 , and data column “Mar-2004”  330  arranged from lowest to highest. In one example embodiment, a user of computer  102  may use voice commands to perform operations using analytics software  112 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3C  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , displaying the current view after a user selects an action to perform a “hide column” operation in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user performs a “hide column” operation on application view  320  to hide column “Q1-2004”  324  from view on application view  320 . The resulting undo stack  302  displays the initial application state  308 , previous action  312 , state  314 , previous action  316  (which represents the “hide column” operation), state  318  (which represents the data view after the “hide column” operation) in current state  310 , undo action  304 , and redo action  306  as depicted in  FIG. 3C . Previous action  316  and state  318  slide in from the right side of undo stack  202 , resulting in initial application in state  308 , previous action  312 , and state  314  moving to the left. Previous action  316 , in addition to representing (or “containing”) the “hide column” operation, may also contain other previous operations of state  314 . Application view  320  in current state  310  now shows the data contained in data column “2004”  322 , data column “Jan-2004”  326 , data column “Feb-2004”  328 , and data column “Mar-2004”  330  arranged from lowest to highest, and data column “Q1-2004”  324  no longer visible. Undo action  304  would allow the user to revert application view  320  back to the previous state  314  when the user performed the “hide column” operation. Redo action  306  would be greyed out, or not selectable by the user in current state  310  unless undo action  304  was performed. In other example embodiments, analytics software  112  may automatically save, or write to persistent storage  110 , all updates to undo stack  302 , where the updates include all actions performed on the data view, and data states. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3D  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , displaying the action taken on a previous view in the undo stack, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user clicks on, or hovers over, previous action  312  to view the previous action that was performed by the user on application view  320  for state  308 . Undo stack  302  displays the initial application state  308 , previous action  312 , state  314 , previous action  316 , state  318  in current state  310 , undo action  304 , and redo action  306  as depicted in  FIG. 3D . Analytics software  112  provides the user with drop-down menu  332 , also referred to as a pop-up window menu (or a “drop-down”), displaying the previous operation (e.g., “sort ascending”) that was performed on state  308 . Drop-down  332  is labeled “Action” and contains the previous action “sort ascending” that was performed on state  308 . Drop-down  332  is an example UI drop-down. In general, any programmed graphical user interface menu may be used to display the information in drop-down  332 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3E  is an example business analytics software data view with an undo stack, on a computer within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , displaying the contents and last action of a previous view in the undo stack with available actions, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In an example embodiment, a user clicks on, or hovers over, state  314  to display a summary of the previous data view and the previous action that was performed by the user on application view  320 . Undo stack  302  displays the initial application state  308 , previous action  312 , state  314 , previous action  316 , state  318  in current state  310 , undo action  304 , and redo action  306  as depicted in  FIG. 3E . Analytics software  112  provides the user with a drop-down menu  334 , also referred to as a pop-up window menu (or a “drop-down”), labeled “Data Content” that displays a summary of the previous data view (e.g., the original data from state  314 ) and the last action that was performed. 
         [0039]    Drop-down  334  also contains clickable push buttons labeled “Return here”  338 , “Apply to storyline”  340 , and “Save” 342 . The “Return here”  338  push button allows the user to return application view  320  to the previous state of state  314 . Upon selecting “Return here”  338  by the user, analytics software  112  reverts application view  320  back to state  314  and results in state  314  being the current state  310 . The “Apply to storyline”  340  push button enables a user of analytics software to add the selected data view to a presentation, or import the selected data view to another spreadsheet, or add the selected data view to an infographic. An infographic, also referred to as an information graphic, is a graphic visual representation of information, data or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. The “Save”  342  push button enables the user of analytics software  112  to save the selected data view to an undo stack file for sharing with other computing devices in analytics data processing environment  100 , and/or for later editing, updating, or viewing. In general, analytics software  112  may detect and respond to any programmable UI element in application data view  320  and undo stack  302 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart, generally designated  400 , depicting operational steps of an analytics software, performing operations using an undo stack for various analytic views on a client device within the analytics data processing environment of  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. A user of analytics software  112 , on computer  102 , opens an initial data view for analytics data  114  and/or analytics data on server  118 ,  124 ,  130 , and/or  136  (e.g., accounting data  122 , sales data  128 , supply data  134 , and manufacturing data  140 ), as depicted in step  402 . In one example embodiment, analytics data may open with a saved undo stack. A user may click on a file, with the use of user interface  104 , and the operating system of computer  102 , based on the file extension, launches or begins execution of analytics software  112  and populates the saved undo stack in the data view once analytics data  114  is loaded. 
         [0041]    In step  404 , a user performs an action on a view using user interface  104  and analytics software  112 . Examples of actions that may be performed include, but are not limited to, an expand operation, a swap operation, a sort operation, a filter operation, a keep operation, a select operation, a store operation, a flag operation, a branch operation, an access operation, restructuring the data view by moving content from the rows to the columns and vice versa, changing filters that apply to the data cells of the view, hiding values, filtering values, adding data, expanding or collapsing data values, drill down or drill up on values, spread data values, applying various formats to data values, and showing totals as trailing or leading. In one example embodiment, the user performs an expand operation of a range of data stored in analytics data  114 . Analytics software  112  populates user interface  104  with the specified data from analytics data  114  and/or accounting data  122 , and/or sales data  128 , and/or supply data  134 , and/or manufacturing data  140 . 
         [0042]    Analytics software  112  updates the view on user interface  104  and adds, or slides in, the expand operation to the undo stack and places the expand operation in the current view as illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and depicted in step  406 . If there are previous operations on the undo stack, analytics software  112  inserts a previous action between the two operations as depicted by previous action  212  in  FIG. 2B . In other example embodiments, a user may schedule actions to be performed by analytics software  112  by creating an undo stack with operations and desired states to be carried out by analytics software  112  at a specified time. 
         [0043]    In decision step  408 , analytics software  112  checks if the user has performed another action on the current view. If a new action has been performed for the current view (“Yes” branch, decision  408 ), analytics software  112  populates user interface  104  with the new data and repeats steps  404  and  406  for any actions or operations the user makes on the current view. In other example embodiments, analytics software  112  may display multiple views on user interface  104 , or across multiple display monitors attached to computer  102 . 
         [0044]    If there are no more actions on the current view (“No” branch, decision  408 ), analytics software  112  checks if the user has switched to another view as depicted in decision step  410 . If the user has switched to a new view (“Yes” branch, decision  410 ), analytics software  112  repeats steps  402  through  408 . In other example embodiments, analytics software  112  may use, or load, undo stacks of previous actions (i.e., from saved histories or saved undo stacks), when switching views. A user may be presented with the option, using user interface  104 , to select saved undo stacks, or previous actions within the saved undo stacks, to use when initializing the data view. In another example embodiment, analytics software  112  may allow a user to select several undo stacks, and turn the previous actions and saved states of the undo stacks into a movie showing all the previous saved actions and states of the undo stacks in a step-by-step animation. 
         [0045]    If the user has not switched to a new view (“No” branch, decision  410 ), analytics software  112  waits until the user selects a previous view as depicted in step  412 . In one example embodiment, a user invokes, or performs, a branch operation on a previous view as depicted in step  414  and/or a user invokes, or performs, a copy operation on a previous view as depicted in step  416 , and/or a user invokes, or performs, a “save as” operation on a previous view as depicted in step  418 . If the user invokes, or performs, a copy operation, analytics software  112  creates a new window with the selected view and the undo stack attached as depicted in step  420 . In other example embodiments, analytics software  112  may open the new data view in a new tabbed document interface (TDI), also referred to as a tab, within the existing window. In interface design, a tabbed document interface refers to a graphical control element that allows multiple documents or panels to be contained within a single window, using tabs as a navigational widget for switching between sets of documents or views. In step  422 , analytics software brings the new view and undo stack of the new instance for the user. The new data view is displayed, along with the undo stack, for the user to view and/or perform operations on. 
         [0046]    If a user invokes, or performs, a copy operation on a previous view as depicted in step  416 , analytics software  112  copies the data and the undo stack in the selected view, then makes the selected view available for reuse. Using  FIG. 2D  as an example, the user selects state  214 , and selects copy. Analytics software  112  then copies the data and the undo stack in selected state  214  together with previous action  212  and makes selected view  214  available for reuse as depicted in step  424 . Analytics software  112  then brings the view and undo stack back to the current view  210  as depicted in step  426 . In one example embodiment, the previous actions, when selected, may provide the user with a drop-down menu displaying the previous operations and states of the data view. In another example embodiment, the previous actions, when selected, may provide the user with a pop-up window menu displaying the previous operations and states of the data view. 
         [0047]    If a user invokes, or performs, a “save as” operation on a previous view as depicted in step  418 , analytics software  112  provides a user with a drop-down, or pop-up window context asking the user to input a file name for the undo stack. In one example embodiment, analytics software  112  automatically generates a filename and displays the filename for the user to modify if needed. Analytics software  112  then saves the selected view and undo stack and applies any pending actions the user may not have applied to the view as depicted in step  428 . The user and system remain in the current view throughout the performed “save as” operation by analytics software  112  as depicted in step  430 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram, generally designated  500 , of components of the computer executing the analytics software, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 5  provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made. 
         [0049]    Computer  102  includes communications fabric  502 , which provides communications between computer processor(s)  504 , memory  506 , persistent storage  508 , communications unit  510 , and input/output (I/O) interface(s)  512 . Communications fabric  502  can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric  502  can be implemented with one or more buses. 
         [0050]    Memory  506  and persistent storage  508  are computer readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory  506  includes random access memory (RAM)  514  and cache memory  516 . In general, memory  506  can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media. 
         [0051]    Analytics software  112  and analytics data  114  are stored in persistent storage  508  for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective computer processors  504  via one or more memories of memory  506 . In this embodiment, persistent storage  508  includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage  508  can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information. 
         [0052]    The media used by persistent storage  508  may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage  508 . Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage  508 . 
         [0053]    Communications unit  510 , in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices, including resources of network  116  and server  118 ,  124 ,  130 , and  136 . In these examples, communications unit  510  includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit  510  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Analytics software  112  and analytics data  114  may be downloaded to persistent storage  508  through communications unit  510 . 
         [0054]    I/O interface(s)  512  allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer  102 . For example, I/O interface  512  may provide a connection to external devices  518  such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices  518  can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., analytics software  112  and analytics data  114 , can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage  508  via I/O interface(s)  512 . I/O interface(s)  512  also connect to a display  520 . 
         [0055]    Display  520  provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor. 
         [0056]    The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature. 
         [0057]    The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
         [0058]    The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
         [0059]    Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
         [0060]    Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
         [0061]    Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
         [0062]    These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0063]    The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0064]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6