Patent ID: 7526753

Claim:
A computerized method of creating and re-using re-usable code segments, comprising: in a graphical program editor user interface, receiving a selection of a fragment of existing source code in one of a plurality of programming languages for re-use, the fragment comprising a code segment; in the graphical program editor user interface, receiving a selection of information for association with the code segment, the associated information comprising keywords for finding the code segment when the code segment is to be re-used, a database schema for a data source with which the code segment interacts, and help text for providing assistance upon reuse of the code segment, the help text adapted to be displayed as a tip when the code segment is selected for re-use and readable by a human; converting the code segment and associated information into an XML file comprising the code segment and the associated information, the XML file tagged with XML tags; storing the XML file in a library of augmented re-usable code segments, wherein the library of augmented re-usable code segments comprises a source of re-usable code segments for inclusion in one or more source programs; in an instance of the graphical program editor, providing access to the library of augmented re-usable code segments; receiving in the graphical program editor a selection of a code segment stored in the library of re-usable code segments; parsing the XML file associated with the selected code segment to identify associated information; in the graphical user interface, displaying from the associated information in the library at least one tip for re-using the selected code segment, the tip comprising help text for modifying the selected code segment in order to operate in a program; in the graphical user interface, receiving a user input selecting a location within a source program to insert the selected code segment; comparing information associated with the selected code segment in the library with the source code program and determining whether the selected code segment external from the source program complies with program construction rules of the source program; inserting the selected code in the source program at a location indicated by a cursor when it is determined that the selected code segment complies with program construction rules of the source program; and prohibiting the selected code segment from being inserted when it is determined that the selected code segment does not comply with program construction rules of the source program.