Methods and systems for relating data structures and object-oriented elements for distributed computing

Abstract

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved software development tool that generates code corresponding to a distributed computing component that contains methods of a plurality of types and that displays a graphical representation of the code with a separately delineated display area for each type. The improved software development tool also compiles, deploys, and debugs the distributed computing component with a client software component using methods and systems consistent with the present invention.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 selecting a data structure in a database;   receiving an indication of a type of object-oriented element to form from the data structure;   accessing at least a portion of the data structure;   determining the type of object-oriented element to form;   when a determination is made of the type of object-oriented element to form, generating an object-oriented element of the type of object-oriented element to form, the object-oriented element having a name that corresponds to the data structure;   generating source code for the object-oriented element, wherein the object-oriented element includes an attribute related to an attribute field in the data structure; and   storing an identification of the data structure in a comment of the source code.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the storing the identification associates the data structure and the source code. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the selecting the data structure in the database comprises:
 determining whether the database has one or more data structures;   displaying an identification of each of the one or more data structures; and   receiving an indication of the data structure.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising authorizing access to the database. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the authorizing access to the database comprises:
 receiving a request to access the database;   receiving access information for the database;   determining if an authorization is used to access the database;   when a determination is made that the authorization is used to access the database, receiving an access privilege; and   determining if the access privilege is authorized.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the access information comprises:
 an identification of a database management system;   a driver associated with a software development tool for communicating with the database;   a driver location; and   a database location.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the access privilege comprises a user name and a password. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising associating the access information with the source code. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising displaying a graphical representation of the source code. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the attribute has an attribute name that corresponds to the attribute field. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the object-oriented element is a class. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the object-oriented element is a distributed computing component. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-readable medium including instructions for a software development tool to execute a method, the method comprising:
 selecting a data structure in a database;   receiving an indication of a type of object-oriented element to form from the data structure;   accessing at least a portion of the data structure;   determining the type of object-oriented element to form;   when a determination is made of the type of object-oriented element to form, generating an object-oriented element of the type of object-oriented element to form, the object-oriented element having a name that corresponds to the data structure;   generating source code for the object-oriented element, wherein the object-oriented element includes an attribute related to an attribute field in the data structure; and   storing an identification of the data structure in a comment of the source code.