Configurable mechanism and abstract API model for directory operations

1. In a computing device, a method of adding to a directory information tree comprising:

a) accessing a template name;

b) reading a template according to said accessed template name, said template comprising i) structural information of said directory information tree, ii) a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default attribute values and iii) a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes that are required to have assigned values;

c) receiving a first set of attributes from an application program, said received first set of attributes not including a location within said directory information tree;

d) constructing a constructed entry comprising: i) said received first set of attributes; and ii) a destination location within said directory information, wherein said destination location is generated using said structural information;

e) adding said constructed entry to said directory information tree at said destination location;

f) detecting the condition of said constructed entry being unacceptable for addition to said directory information tree; at least one said condition being the absence of a value for any attribute in said third set of attributes;

g) if said constructed entry is unacceptable, generating an error condition; and

h) adding said constructed entry to said directory information tree at said destination location.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said template further comprises a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default values for inclusion in said constructed entry.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said template further comprises a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes that are required to have assigned values.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said template further comprises information specifying a verification program for verifying one or more attributes of said first set of attributes.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said template further comprises:

i) a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default values for inclusion in said constructed entry;

ii) a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes that are required to have assigned values; and

iii) information specifying a program for verifying one or more attributes of said first set of attributes.

6. A method as described in claim 5 wherein said template is an XML file.

7. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising:

detecting the condition of said constructed element being unacceptable for addition to said directory information tree.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said template is an XML file.

9. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said directory information tree is an LDAP directory.

10. A computer readable medium having instructions stores therein for implementing a program module that directs the addition of an entry to a directory information tree, to function in a specified manner, said instructions for:

a) accessing a template name;

b) reading a template according to said received template name, said template comprising i) structural information of said directory information tree, ii) a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default attribute values and iii) a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes that are required to have assigned values;

c) receiving a first set of attributes from an application program, said received first set of attributes not including a location within said directory information tree;

d) constructing an entry comprising

i) said received first set of attributes; and

ii) a destination location within said directory information, wherein said destination location is generated using said structural information; and

e) adding said constructed entry to said directory information tree at said destination location

f) detecting the condition of said constructed entry being unacceptable for addition to said directory information tree; at least one said condition being the absence of a value for any attribute in said third set of attributes;

g) if said constructed entry is unacceptable, generating an error condition; and

h) adding said constructed entry to said directory information tree at said destination location.

11. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said template further comprises a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default values for inclusion in said constructed entry.

12. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said template further comprises a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes which are required to have assigned values.

13. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said template further comprises information specifying a verification program for verifying one or more attributes of said first set of attributes.

14. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said template further comprises:

i) a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default values for inclusion in said constructed entry;

ii) a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes that are required to have assigned values; and

iii) information specifying a program for verifying one or more attributes of said first set of attributes.

15. A computer readable medium as described in claim 14 wherein said template is an XML file.

16. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 further comprising the step of detecting the condition of said constructed entry being unacceptable for addition to said directory information tree.

17. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said template is an XML file.

18. A computer readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said directory information tree is an LDAP directory.

19. In a computing device, a method of adding an entry to a directory information tree comprising:

A) passing a template name to an application program interface, said named template comprising structural information of said directory information tree;

B) receiving said template name;

C) reading a template according to said received template name, said template comprising:

i) structural information of said directory information tree;

ii) a second set of attributes, said second set comprising default attribute values;

iii) a third set of attributes, said third set comprising attributes that are required to have assigned values; and

iv) information specifying a verification program;

D) passing a first set of attributes to said application program interface, said passed first set of attributes not including a location for said entry within said directory information tree;

E) receiving said first set of attributes;

F) verifying of one or more attributes of said first set of attributes using said verification program;

G) constructing said entry comprising:

i) said received first set of attributes;

ii) said second set of attributes; and

iii) a destination location within said directory information, said destination location generated using said structural information;

H) detecting the condition of said constructed entry being unacceptable for addition to said directory information tree; at least one said condition being the absence of a value for any attribute in said third set of attributes;

I) if said constructed entry is unacceptable, generating an error condition; and

J) adding said constructed entry to said directory information tree at said destination location.