Extending Legacy Scripting Languages with Graphical References

Abstract

A graphical data type inference transparently transforms a legacy text-oriented command line interface (CLI) into a graphic-oriented or graphic-aware CLI (G-CLI). A user fuses graphical references with the legacy scripting language by identifying objects using syntax familiar to the user. The objects are presented to the user via a user interface and may be queried/selected by the user. The user issues commands on the selected objects by referencing the graphical selection in a command line within a shell. The graphical selection in short hand is translated into a form operable by a server or computer. The syntax of the legacy command language is extended with operators that operate entirely within the G-CLI. Consequently, the command line used in the shell has an existing operation set, as well as new graphic-based operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for interpreting a command line, the method comprising:
 receiving a selection of a graphical object from a displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of a plurality of objects, each object of the plurality of objects graphically representing a different operational command to an operating system, to yield a selected object;   receiving text, typed by a user, in the command line;   receiving the selected object into the command line, to yield a modified command line input; and   executing, by a processor, the modified command line input as an operation within the command line.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the selected object into the command line further comprises processing user input associated with dragging and dropping the selected object into the command line. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 distilling and normalizing the modified command line input; and   executing, by a processor, the selected object inserted as an operation within the command line.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of the plurality of objects from a server; and   transmitting the modified command line input to the server.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising parsing one of the plurality of objects according to the selected object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending a normalized command line to a server for execution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a query to search the displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of the plurality of objects. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a processor; and   a computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor perform operations comprising:
 receiving a selection of a graphical object from a displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of a plurality of objects, each object of the plurality of objects graphically representing a different operational command to an operating system, to yield a selected object; 
 receiving text, typed by a user, in a command line; 
 receiving the selected object into the command line, to yield a modified command line input; and 
 executing the modified command line input as an operation within the command line. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein receiving the selected object into the command line further comprises processing user input associated with dragging and dropping the selected object into the command line. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 distilling and normalizing the modified command line input; and   executing the selected object inserted as an operation within the command line.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 receiving the graphical hierarchical tree listing of the plurality of objects from a server; and   transmitting the modified command line input to the server.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 parsing one of the plurality of objects according to the selected object.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 sending a normalized command line to a server for execution.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 receiving a query to search the displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of the plurality of objects.   
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor perform operations comprising:
 receiving a selection of a graphical object from a displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of a plurality of objects, each object of the plurality of objects graphically representing a different operational command to an operating system, to yield a selected object;   receiving text, typed by a user, in a command line;   receiving the selected object into the command line, to yield a modified command line input; and   executing the modified command line input as an operation within the command line.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 15 , wherein receiving the selected object into the command line further comprises processing user input associated with dragging and dropping the selected object into the command line. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 distilling and normalizing the modified command line input; and   executing the selected object inserted as an operation within the command line.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 receiving the displayed graphical hierarchical tree listing of the plurality of objects from a server; and   transmitting the modified command line input to the server.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 parsing one of the plurality of objects according to the selected object.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage device stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 sending a normalized command line to a server for execution.