Level based data supply for reusable interface components
View Patent ↗A system and method for handling reusable graphical components in a dynamic environment. A configuration is buffered in a computer system. An object corresponding to a graphical component is instantiated and assigned a level within the graphical hierarchy. The object is configured based on its location in the hierarchy from the buffered configuration. The object reads its parent identifier from a level buffer based solely on its assigned level and writes its object identifier into the level buffer in association with its assigned level.
1. A method comprising:
buffering a configuration in a computer;
instantiating an object corresponding to a graphical component having a hierarchical level assigned at instantiation;
configuring the instantiated object based on the buffered configuration;
reading a parent identifier for a parent from a level buffer based on the hierarchical level assigned without knowledge of the parent; and
writing an object identifier for the object in the level buffer in association with the hierarchical level assigned.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
associating a window on a display with the instantiated object.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
invalidating identifiers in the level buffer at all levels higher than a changed entry.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
accepting, in the computer, a selection of a root object;
reading a configuration for the root object from a configuration file;
instantiating the root object; and
inserting a root identifier in a lowest level of the level buffer.
5. The method of claim 1 where in configuring comprises:
retrieving data to configure the object based on the parent identifier.
6. A system comprising:
an electronic display;
a graphical user interface generator to manipulate the display;
a plurality of reusable graphical components, each component having an associated window to be displayed on the electronic display; and
a configuration file to dynamically define a configuration for each of the graphical components based on a position of the respective component within a hierarchy.
7. The system of claim 6 further comprising:
a level buffer from which each reusable graphical component having a level greater than one reads a parent identifier and writes its own identifier without knowledge of the parent.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising:
a change module that invalidates all entries in the level buffer above a changed level.
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:
buffer a configuration in a computer;
instantiate an object corresponding to a graphical component having a hierarchical level assigned at instantiation;
configure the instantiated object based on the buffered configuration;
read a parent identifier for a parent from a level buffer based on the hierarchical level assigned without knowledge of the parent; and
write an object identifier for the object in the level buffer in association with the hierarchical level assigned.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9 further containing instructions causing the processor to:
associate a window on a display with the instantiated object.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 9 further containing instructions causing the processor to:
invalidate identifiers in the level buffer at all levels higher than a changed entry.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 9 further containing instructions causing the processor to:
accept, in the computer, a selection of a root object;
read a configuration for the root object from a configuration file;
instantiate the root object; and
insert a root identifier in a lowest level of the level buffer.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the instruction causing the processor to configure comprise instructions causing the processor to:
retrieve data to configure the object based on the parent identifier.