Method, system, and computer program product for providing enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes

Abstract

The present invention provides enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control that displays a dropdown list when actuated, and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list. A method in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.

1 . A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, comprising: 
 providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list when actuated; and    displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list,    wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI control comprises a dropdown selection list.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia includes a first indicia indicating that the dropdown list contains a plurality of entries, and a second entry indicating that the dropdown list contains a single entry.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first indicia comprises a down arrow of a first type, and wherein the second indicia comprises a down arrow of a second type.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia includes a number indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI control comprises a combination box.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: 
 displaying additional indicia in the GUI control indicating whether an entry field of the GUI control is writable.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the additional indicia in the GUI control for indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable comprises an arrow pointing toward the entry field.  
   
   
       9 . Deploying an application for providing a GUI control, comprising: 
 providing a computer infrastructure being operable to perform the method of  claim 1 .    
   
   
       10 . Computer software embodied in a propagated signal for providing a GUI control, the computer software comprising instructions to cause a computer system to perform the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, comprising: 
 providing a GUI control having an entry field; and    displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable,    wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the GUI control comprises a combination box.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the indicia comprises an arrow pointing toward the entry field.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the GUI control is configured to display a dropdown list having a number of entries when actuated, further comprising: 
 displaying additional indicia in the GUI control indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the additional indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.    
   
   
       15 . Deploying an application for providing a GUI control, comprising: 
 providing a computer infrastructure being operable to perform the method of  claim 11 .    
   
   
       16 . Computer software embodied in a propagated signal for providing a GUI control, the computer software comprising instructions to cause a computer system to perform the method of  claim 11 .  
   
   
       17 . A system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, comprising: 
 a system for providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list when actuated; and    a system for displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list,    wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the GUI control comprises a dropdown selection list.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the indicia includes a first indicia indicating that the dropdown list contains a plurality of entries, and a second entry indicating that the dropdown list contains a single entry.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first indicia comprises a down arrow of a first type, and wherein the second indicia comprises a down arrow of a second type.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the indicia includes a number indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the GUI control comprises a combination box.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a system for displaying additional indicia in the GUI control indicating whether an entry field of the GUI control is writable.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the additional indicia in the GUI control for indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable comprises an arrow pointing toward the entry field.  
   
   
       25 . A system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, comprising: 
 a system for providing a GUI control having an entry field; and    a system for displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable,    wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the GUI control comprises a combination box.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the indicia comprises an arrow pointing toward the entry field.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the GUI control is configured to display a dropdown list having a number of entries when actuated, further comprising: 
 a system for displaying additional indicia in the GUI control indicating the number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the additional indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.    
   
   
       29 . A program product stored on a computer readable medium for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, the computer readable medium comprising program code for performing the steps of: 
 providing a GUI control that displays a dropdown list when actuated; and    displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list,    wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list.    
   
   
       30 . A program product stored on a computer readable medium for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control, the computer readable medium comprising program code for performing the steps of: 
 providing a GUI control having an entry field; and    displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable,    wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field.