METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SIMULATING AN ONLINE SESSION
A method and system for conducting an offline session simulating an online session between a client and server in a network environment. The client imports data and functional logic from the server prior to going offline. The imported functional logic is embedded into a format or document that is capable of being interpreted and performed by the local interface at the client that is used to interact with server during an online session. Whether offline or online, the user utilizes the same local interface at the client to transmit instructions to the functional logic in order to manipulate the data. In an offline session, such instructions cause the imported and embedded functional logic to execute, thereby manipulating the data that is imported at the client. Known synchronization methods may also be used in order to maintain consistency and coherency between the imported data at the client and the database at the server.
1 . A method, comprising:
a. while a client is online,
1. importing to the client at least a subset of data;
2. importing to the client at least a subset of functional logic as an embedded portion of a format capable of being interpreted and performed by a local interface of the client; and
b. while the client is offline,
1. invoking the embedded functional logic to manipulate the imported data in response to instructions received through the local interface of the client.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of importing user customizations for presentation of the imported data by the local interface while the client is online.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the local interface is a web browser.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the embedded functional logic is expressed in a scripting language understood by the web browser.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the format comprises at least one document that utilizes a markup language to identify structures within the document.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the imported data is stored in at least one document that utilizes a markup language to identify structures within the document.
7 . A system, comprising:
a. a database; and
b. a server capable of conducting an online session with a client, the server providing:
1. a synchronization service capable of exporting data from the database for storage at the client, and
2. an initiation service for exporting documents, wherein the documents
a. are capable of being interpreted and performed by a local client interface of the client, and
b. include functional logic embedded therein to manipulate the exported data via instructions received through the local client interface.
8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the synchronization service is further capable of importing data from the client.
9 . The system of claim 7 wherein the synchronization service is further capable of exporting user customizations for presentation of the exported data by the local chant interface.
10 . The system of claim 7 wherein the local client interface is a web browser.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the embedded functional logic is expressed as a scripting language understood by the web browser.
12 . The system of claim 8 wherein the documents utilize a markup language to identify structures within the documents.
13 . The system of claim 8 wherein the exported data is exported as at least one document that utilizes a markup language to identify structures within the document.
14 . Computer instructions embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:
a. logic including functional logic for manipulating data imported from a remote server;
b. logic for rendering a presentation of the imported data on a local client interface; and
c. logic for communicating with the remote server during a synchronization process;
wherein the functional logic is embedded into a format capable of being interpreted and performed by the local client interface.
15 . The computer instructions of claim 14 wherein the local client interface is a web browser.
16 . The computer instructions of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the computer instructions are expressed in a scripting language.
17 . The computer instructions of claim 14 wherein the format comprises at least one document that utilizes a markup language to identify structures within the document.
18 . The computer instructions of claim 14 wherein the imported data is stored in at least one document that utilizes a markup language to identify structures within the document.
19 . A system, comprising:
a server for:
exporting to a client at least a subset of data stored in a database of the server, while the client is online;
exporting to the client at least a subset of functional logic as an embedded portion of a format capable of being interpreted and performed by a local interface of the client, while the client is online, wherein the functional logic is capable of being executed for manipulating the data; and
synchronizing the data at the client with the data at the server.
20 . The system of claim 19 further comprising means for exporting user customizations for presentation of the imported data by the local interface.