Computer systems and methods for platform independent presentation design

Abstract

Methods, computer systems and computer program products for constructing a presentation in a platform independent manner. A layout is defined that includes a top split. The top split includes a first orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any daughter split created within the top split. A request is received to create a daughter split within the top split. In response, the daughter split is constructed within the top split in accordance with the first orientation parameter. The daughter split includes a second orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any child split created within the daughter split. The layout is converted into the presentation. A database for storing the layout. The database including a layout table having a row for storing an identity of the layout and an identity of the top split in a hierarchy of splits within the layout. The database also including a layoutdata table that has a row for each split in the hierarchy of splits within the layout.

1 . A method of constructing a presentation in a platform independent manner, the method comprising:
 defining a layout that includes a top split, wherein said top split includes a first orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any daughter split created within said top split;   receiving a request to create a daughter split within said top split;   generating said daughter split within said top split in accordance with said first orientation parameter, wherein said daughter split includes a second orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any child split created within said daughter split; and   converting said layout to said presentation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first orientation parameter specifies that each daughter splits created within said top split is arranged either horizontally or vertically within said top split. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said second orientation parameter specifies that each child split created within said daughter split is arranged either horizontally or vertically within said daughter split. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said daughter split is a data split, the method further comprising:
 inserting a data object in said data split; and   associating a view with said data object, wherein said view determines how said data object is presented in said data split.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said data object is a complex object. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said complex object is a blog or a gallery. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said presentation is written in a target language for a target platform. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said target language is HTML, XML, Java, ASP, PHP, or ASCII text. 
   
   
       9 . A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism for constructing a presentation in a platform independent manner, the computer program mechanism comprising:
 instructions for defining a layout that includes a top split, wherein said top split includes a first orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any daughter split created within said top split;   instructions for receiving a request to create a daughter split within said top split;   instructions for generating said daughter split within said top split in accordance with said first orientation parameter, wherein said daughter split includes a second orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any child split created within said daughter split; and   instructions for converting said layout to said presentation.   
   
   
       10 . The computer program product of  claim 9  wherein said daughter split is a data split, the computer program mechanism further comprising:
 instructions for inserting a data object in said data split; and   instructions for associating a view with said data object, wherein said view determines how said data object is presented in said data split.   
   
   
       11 . A computer system for constructing a presentation in a platform independent manner, the computer system comprising:
 a central processing unit;   a memory, coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing:   instructions for defining a layout that includes a top split, wherein said top split includes a first orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any daughter split created within said top split;   instructions for receiving a request to create a daughter split within said top split;   instructions for generating said daughter split within said top split in accordance with said first orientation parameter, wherein said daughter split includes a second orientation parameter specifying an orientation for any child split created within said daughter split; and   instructions for converting said layout to said presentation.   
   
   
       12 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein said daughter split is a data split, the memory further storing:
 instructions for inserting a data object in said data split; and   instructions for associating a view with said data object, wherein said view determines how said data object is presented in said data split.   
   
   
       13 . A method of editing a layout, which defines a presentation in a platform independent manner, the layout comprising a split hierarchy, the method comprising:
 (A) beginning at the top split in the split hierarchy, for each split encountered in the split hierarchy, building a translation of the split, wherein, when the split is a data split, the building comprises,
 (i) retrieving object data in accordance with a view for the data split; and 
 (ii) applying a template to the data associated with the data split; 
   (B) associating a different menu of options with each split in the split hierarchy as well as retrieved object data;   (C) receiving a menu selection from any one of the different menus of options and,
 (i) when the menu selection specifies an action that has parameters:
 (1) presenting the parameters in a form; 
 (2) adding, in response to a submission of said form, an entry in an actions table of a database to reflect said submission; and 
 (3) modifying the layout in the database in accordance with said submission; and 
 
 (ii) when the menu option is associated with a parameterless action:
 (1) adding, in response to said menu selection, an entry in said actions table of said database to reflect said menu selection; and 
 (2) modifying the layout in the database based upon said menu selection. 
 
   
   
   
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