Abstract: The structure of a complex data object such as a multimedia presentation is stored in a persistent representation comprising a directly executable program. The instructions of the program are created by translating recorded method calls on a function library when the object is created. The structure of the object is recreated during playback by executing the program instructions in a stack-based virtual machine in a user's computer. The persistent representation thus stores the structure as a series of operations for building the object, rather than as a static plan of the structure itself.

Abstract: The structure of a complex data object such as a multimedia presentation is stored in a persistent representation comprising a directly executable program. The instructions of the program are created by translating recorded method calls on a function library when the object is created. The structure of the object is recreated during playback by executing the program instructions in a stack-based virtual machine in a user's computer. The persistent representation thus stores the structure as a series of operations for building the object, rather than as a static plan of the structure itself.

Abstract: An application program is constructed entirely from a collection of individual reusable tools arranged in a tree structure. Each tool provides resources for other tools in the tree, located by a hierarchical search. A configuration file read into the root tool of the structure as a resource provides a persistent specification of the placement of other tools in the tree, user interface elements, and other state information. The interfaces used by the tools can also be stored as resources in the tools themselves. Each tool is a class in an object-oriented language having inheritance. A base class, subclassed by all tools, provides a number of widely useful functions.

Abstract: The structure of a complex data object such as a multimedia presentation is stored in a persistent representation comprising a directly executable program. The instructions of the program are created by translating recorded method calls on a function library when the object is created. The structure of the object is recreated during playback by executing the program instructions in a stack-based virtual machine in a user's computer. The persistent representation thus stores the structure as a series of operations for building the object, rather than as a static plan of the structure itself.