Abstract: An API is provided for positioning items in a table. The API allows a number of columns or a number of rows, or both, to be specified for a table. Any items to be placed in the table may be identified for the API. Items may be “moveable,” or not associated with fixed positions in the table. The moveable items may be placed adjacently in the table to fill a first row. New rows or columns may be generated to accommodate additional items. Items may also be “fixed,” or associated with fixed positions in the table. Moveable items may fill in around the fixed items. A novel algorithm is provided to efficiently place both moveable and fixed items in a table. An on-demand reservation grid may be used in conjunction with the algorithm, thereby accommodating items that span multiple columns and/or rows.

Abstract: A layout including a plurality of items therein is instantiated on a display of a computing device. At least one of the items and the layout are changeable and may require relocation and/or resizing. Each item has a periphery and at least one of the items is defined to include a margin exterior to the periphery thereof. The margin is a defined distance from the periphery of the item within which another item cannot reside. In response to another item being moved so as to encroach upon the margin of an item at issue, the item at issue is to be relocated away from and in the opposite direction from the another item to clear such encroaching item from such encroached-upon margin and thereby relieve such encroachment.