In-line editor
A software application, method of constructing same, and method for editing text displayed by same are disclosed. In a form, the software application is a web-format application with a core set of executable instructions dictating the display, operation, and user interaction, the instructions including identifiers for text to be displayed on pages thereof. The software application includes at least one secondary file containing text strings and keys therein, and the identifiers use the keys to locate the text strings to be displayed. An editor is provided that allows for direct editing of the displayed text items, and the edited text items are then saved back to the secondary file(s). The software application further includes a program, such as an AJAX program or module, for automatically and dynamically changing the displayed text item to the edited text item on the displayed web page, for every user of the application.
1. A method of editing textual displays of a web-based software application having multiple web pages and multiple text items, the method comprising:
executing the web-based software application, the software application including a set of executable instructions for displaying web pages on a graphical user interface and allowing interaction therewith by a user, the software application including at least one secondary file providing resource bundles having a single key and text strings corresponding to text items, the executable instructions having an identifier for locating the single key and for calling the text strings for display on the web page;
reading code for each text item which may be edited;
receiving a selection of a text item to be edited by through a web page on which the text item is displayed;
creating an edited text item based on edits to the text item on the web page;
saving the edited text item to the secondary file, wherein the single key of the secondary file identifies text items that are displayed a plurality of times on the web page; and
dynamically displaying the edited text item in place of the text item on the web page using the single key for a plurality of users across a distributed network without reloading or refreshing the web page by the users.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising overwriting the text strings in the resource bundle with the edited text item.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing user privileges to a user to permit the user to edit the text items.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing multiple locations on the web pages for a single text item;
providing a single identifier for the single text item in multiple locations; and
dynamically displaying edited text item in each of the multiple locations displayed.
5. The method of claim 1 further including the step comprising:
hosting the software application on a host machine;
allowing simultaneous access to a plurality of users on a plurality of user terminals; and
dynamically changing the displayed text item to the edited text item on each of the user terminals displaying the page having the text item thereon.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising providing at least two of the users with simultaneous editing privileges.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein saving the edited text item comprises creating a new secondary file.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the new secondary file includes at least one resource bundle, and the method further comprises creating the new secondary file for a translated version of the software application.
9. A system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to edit textual displays of a web-based software application having multiple web pages and multiple text items by:
executing the web-based software application, the software application including a set of executable instructions for displaying web pages on a graphical user interface and allowing interaction therewith by a user, the software application including at least one secondary file providing resource bundles having a single key and text strings corresponding to text items, the executable instructions having an identifier for locating the single key and for calling the text strings for display on the web page;
reading code for each text item which may be edited;
receiving a selection of a text item to be edited through a web page on which the text item is displayed;
creating an edited text item based on edits to the text item on the web page;
saving the edited text item to the secondary file, wherein the single key of the secondary file identifies text items that are displayed a plurality of times on the web page; and
dynamically displaying the edited text item in place of the text item on the web page using the single key for a plurality of users across a distributed network without reloading or refreshing the web page by the users.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising overwriting the text strings in the resource bundle with the edited text item.
11. The system of claim 9 further comprising providing user privileges to a user to permit the user to edit the text items.
12. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
providing multiple locations on the web pages for a single text item;
providing a single identifier for the single text item in multiple locations; and
dynamically displaying edited text item in each of the multiple locations displayed.
13. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
hosting the software application on a host machine;
allowing simultaneous access to a plurality of users on a plurality of user terminals; and
dynamically changing the displayed text item to the edited text item on each of the user terminals displaying the page having the text item thereon.
14. The system of claim 13 further comprising providing at least two of the users with simultaneous editing privileges.
15. The system of claim 9 wherein saving the edited text item comprises creating a new secondary file.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the new secondary file includes at least one resource bundle, and the method further comprises creating the new secondary file for a translated version of the software application.
17. A computer-readable memory storing a set of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to edit textual displays of a web-based software application having multiple web pages and multiple text items by:
executing the web-based software application, the software application including a set of executable instructions for displaying web pages on a graphical user interface and allowing interaction therewith by a user, the software application including at least one secondary file providing resource bundles having a single key and text strings corresponding to text items, the executable instructions having an identifier for locating the single key and for calling the text strings for display on the web page;
reading code for each text item which may be edited;
receiving a selection of a text item to be edited through a web page on which the text item is displayed;
creating an edited text item based on edits to the text item on the web page;
saving the edited text item to the secondary file, wherein the single key of the secondary file identifies text items that are displayed a plurality of times on the web page; and
dynamically displaying the edited text item in place of the text item on the web page using the single key for a plurality of users across a distributed network without reloading or refreshing the web page by the users.
18. The computer-readable memory of claim 17 further comprising overwriting the text strings in the resource bundle with the edited text item.
19. The computer-readable memory of claim 17 further comprising providing user privileges to a user to permit the user to edit the text items.
20. The computer-readable memory of claim 17 further comprising:
providing multiple locations on the web pages for a single text item;
providing a single identifier for the single text item in multiple locations; and
dynamically displaying edited text item in each of the multiple locations displayed.
21. The computer-readable memory of claim 17 further comprising:
hosting the software application on a host machine;
allowing simultaneous access to a plurality of users on a plurality of user terminals; and
dynamically changing the displayed text item to the edited text item on each of the user terminals displaying the page having the text item thereon.
22. The computer-readable memory of claim 21 further comprising providing at least two of the users with simultaneous editing privileges.
23. The computer-readable memory of claim 17 wherein saving the edited text item comprises creating a new secondary file.
24. The computer-readable memory of claim 23 wherein the new secondary file includes at least one resource bundle, and the method further comprises creating the new secondary file for a translated version of the software application.