Patent ID: 7243106

Claim:
A computer-based drill-through path administration method for use in a framework having a plurality of drill-through sources and drill-through targets, the method comprising steps of: a) defining the drill-through sources and targets at least in part by a metadata, the metadata at a single point, describing drill-through objects and valid drill-through paths using data structures; b) displaying the drill-through sources and targets; c) accepting from a tool user an indication of the drill-through sources and targets for which a drill-through path is required; and d) for each source for which a drill-through path is required; i) importing the source; ii) for each drill-through path, associating the drill-through source and target using the metadata; iii) collecting the drill-through path in a data structure; iv) accepting from a tool user an indication to select one or more drill-through paths in the data structure; v) accepting from a tool user an indication to edit the selected drill-through paths to select appropriate parameters; and vi) encapsulating the selected drill-through paths in a program library; wherein the step of accepting from a tool user an indication of the drill-through sources and targets for which a drill-through path is required uses a graphical user interface whereon the tool user draws lines connecting nodes representing the drill-through source and target for the drill-through path.