Framework for applying rules
Generally described, the present invention is directed to a network operating system that provides more effective ways of leveraging the connectivity of computer networks. In one embodiment, an XML virtual machine is implemented that accepts high-level application code written in an XML programming language as input. Functionality is provided to interpret or translate the application code written in an XML programming language into code that is suitable for execution across computer platforms. Moreover, the XML virtual machine supports the Model View Controller (MVC) design paradigm that facilitates true data abstraction from applications to a common data model. Multi-instance applications, with each instance potentially supporting multiple views, may be created and executed.
1. A method implemented in computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, sets a rule associated with a user interface component in a data model, the method comprising:
instantiating a runtime object that implements computational logic of the user interface component;
if the user interface component is a rule user, allocating a namespace to rules of the user interface component in the data model;
applying rules of the user interface component through the execution of a rule handler;
merging the rule associated with the user interface component into the data model, the rule being merged into the data model in a namespace that is separate from a namespace associated with a different component; and
in response to a modification to the data model:
receiving a variable describing a location in the data model that was modified; and
if the rules in the data model were modified, executing the rule handler to ensure integrity of the data model relative to the user interface component;
wherein the modification to the data model is represented in a plurality of objects, each object providing an XBind that references a location in an XML document where a modification to the data model occurred.
2. A nontransitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable components stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform actions for setting a rule associated with a user interface component in a data model, the actions comprising:
instantiating a runtime object that implements computational logic of the user interface component;
if the user interface component is a rule user, allocating a namespace to rules of the user interface component in the data model;
applying rules of the user interface component through the execution of a rule handler;
merging the rule associated with the user interface component into the data model, the rule being merged into the data model in a namespace that is separate from a namespace associated with a different component; and
in response to a modification to the data model:
receiving a variable describing a location in the data model that was modified; and
if the rules in the data model were modified, executing the rule handler to ensure integrity of the data model relative to the user interface component;
wherein the modification to the data model is represented in a plurality of objects, each object providing an XBind that references a location in an XML document where a modification to the data model occurred.
3. A computing device configured to set a rule associated with a user interface component in a data model by:
instantiating a runtime object that implements computational logic of the user interface component;
applying the rules of the user interface component through the execution of a rule handler;
merging the rule associated with the user interface component into the data model, the rule being merged into the data model in a namespace that is separate from a namespace associated with a different component; and
in response to detecting a modification of the rules in the data model, executing the rule handler to ensure integrity of the data model relative to the user interface component;
wherein the modification of the rules in the data model is represented in one or more objects, each object providing an XBind that references a location in an XML document where a modification to the data model occurred.