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 for simulating, at a client, an online session between the client and a remote server when the client is offline, the method comprising:
a. while the client is online,
1. importing at least a subset of data from the remote server;
2. importing at least a subset of functional logic from the remote server as an embedded portion of a format capable of being interpreted and performed by a local interface associated with 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.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of importing user customizations for the 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 computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform a method for simulating, at a client, an online session between the client and a remote server when the client is offline, the method comprising:
a. while the client is online,
1. importing at least a subset of data from the remote server;
2. importing at least a subset of functional logic from the remote server as an embedded portion of a format capable of being interpreted and performed by a local interface associated with 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.
8 . A system for simulating, at a client, an online session between the client and a remote server when the client is offline, the system comprising:
a processor for:
a. while the client is online,
1. importing at least a subset of data from the remote server;
2. importing at least a subset of functional logic from the remote server as an embedded portion of a format capable of being interpreted and performed by a local interface associated with 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.