Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention describes a method for controlling character set conversion. A request for data from a first computing system using a first character set is received by a second computing system using a second character set. The first character set is a subset of the second character set. Prior to transmitting the requested data, the second computing system performs a simulated conversion of the data from the second character set to the first character set. The simulated conversion identifies the prospective character set conversion failures and error-handling response of the first computing system's character conversion routine. The second computing system identifies and stores prospective character conversion failures and uses this information to determine responsive action including preempting the data transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to generate a plural number of differing data displays, each based upon a multi-information display template that has the information to drive each separate data display. Each data display may be different as regards selected information to appear on each data display, selected placement of the information on each data display depending upon a selected and defined style, an at least one selected and defined mode of information to appear on any one data display, and the utilization of specific display program capabilities (such as a browser). Additionally, a method and apparatus is provided for a user to enter the information into a computing system, and for the computing system to generate the multi-display template.

Abstract: A facility for defining a process for approving requests for approval of a selected type is described. The facility displays a palette containing visual representations of each of a plurality of approval process elements. The facility then receives a number of user input instances, each user input instance dragging one of the visual representations into a selected location in a workspace, so as to form an arrangement of approval process elements. The facility then stores a process definition corresponding to the formed arrangement of approval process elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an integrated process modeler is described. The modeler comprises a non-technical interface to permit design of a business process by a non-technical use and a technical interface to implement substeps of the process to automate technical aspects of the process by a technical user, using the same process modeler. The resulting process designed to be used by non-technical employees, to automatically lead the non-technical employees through the business process.

Abstract: An application archive is searched for an existing translation for a text string in an application to be localized. The text string is associated with context information that identifies a location of the text string in the application. If an existing translation is found that matches the text string, and all, or alternately part of, the context information, the existing translation is logically linked to the text string. In one aspect, the existing translation is selected from multiple matches based on number of occurrences. In another aspect, the existing translation is submitted to a manual validation process.

Abstract: A method and system for exposing a version-independent interface to a computer resource. The interface system exposes a version-independent interface to a computer resource, such as a database or computer program. The interface system also provides a version-dependent interface to the computer resource that is typically not exposed. When the computer resource is modified, the version-dependent interface may be modified, but the version-independent interface might not be modified. When the version-dependent interface is modified, a mapping is generated (in some cases automatically) between the version-independent interface and the version-dependent interface. When an accessing computer program uses the version-independent interface to request services of the computer resource, the system uses the mapping to map the request to a request that is appropriate for the version-dependent interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to build a migration package. According to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of programming elements are developed and stored in a configuration repository. The configuration repository also includes metadata used to describe each of the programming elements. Selected programming elements are placed in a set of one or more migration scripts to be stored in the migration package. The set of migration scripts may include a master configuration file and a driver file.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for routing work items to agents, wherein the work items can be of one of two or more different communication media types from one of two or more different communication channels. A queuing engine includes a list of routes and each route is associated with one or more properties. The list of routes can further include information related to one or more escalation rules for each route; the type of communication media available along the route for handling one or more of the work items; whether the route is active; the priority of the route; whether work items can be handled real-time; the service level for work items handled on the route; and the number of work items that can be assigned to the route.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for integrated, automatic pseudo localization of software applications are disclosed herein. A pseudo localization process, comprised of one or more utility applications, is integrated into a build cycle for a developing software application to generate pseudo-translated user-interface code as part of a build process. A build application may then generate a pseudo-language build of the developing software application and/or development database to enable testing and identification of internationalization defects that would prevent effective localization of the software product for the international market.

Abstract: Distributing and instantiating software version upgrades in a distributed computing environment. This includes defining the required versions of software as the contents of a software version upgrade kit. This is written, e.g., as a table of contents or a list, to a database to generate software version upgrade kit tables. These tables are used to generate software version upgrade kits. The kits are then used as a source to download copies of the upgrade kits to clients to be upgraded. This enables upgrading the software on the client.

Abstract: A method for upgrading (31-b of FIG. 1) a software application (35-b) from a prior version to a subsequent version while preserving user modifications to the prior application. The method includes comparing differences between the two versions of the software applications. This is followed by enumerating the differences between the two versions of the software applications; and determining which differences between the two versions of the software are conflicting and which are compatible. The compatible changes are made (7). Also disclosed is an article of manufacture containing computer readable program code for carrying out the above process, and a program storage device carrying the code.

Abstract: A method and system for passing information between a client, as a browser, and a server, as an application server, where the information is passed through a web server for processing between the application server and the browser. The webserver loads one or more template files. These template files contain standard markup language plus special tags. These tags are parsed, translated into commands for the application server, and sent to the application server. The application server returns the objects called to the web server, which passes the called objects to the client. The session is persistent.

Abstract: Flexible and extensible combination user interfaces are described. Combination user interfaces combine task-based and deductive user interfaces in such a manner that complex user interactions can be facilitated using a more meaningful and intuitive user interface than would have been possible using task-based or deductive user interfaces exclusively. The described combination user interfaces are flexible and extensible. They are flexible in that users can work on multiple tasks or switch between tasks without first needing to complete another task. They are extensible in that they can be extended to add, modify, or remove tasks or portions of tasks. User interfaces can be extended by manipulating metadata associated with the user interfaces. The combination user interface can be combined with an Inbox concept to facilitate saving and assigning tasks. The Inbox represents a work queue for a user.

Abstract: A method and system that provides filtered data from a data system. In one embodiment the system includes an API (application programming interface) and associated software modules to enable third party applications to access an enterprise data system. Administrators are enabled to select specific user interface (UI) objects, such as screens, views, applets, columns and fields to voice or pass-through enable via a GUI that presents a tree depicting a hierarchy of the UI objects within a user interface of an application. An XSLT style sheet is then automatically generated to filter out data pertaining to UI objects that were not voice or pass-through enabled. In response to a request for data, unfiltered data are retrieved from the data system and a specified style sheet is applied to the unfiltered data to return filtered data pertaining to only those fields and columns that are voice or pass-through enabled.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying “relevant” objects for upgrading a repository of objects in a computer system. The relevant objects to be used for upgrading may include any combination of (1) “corresponding” objects in a prior and a new standard repository, (2) “ancestor” objects in the prior and new standard repositories, and (3) ancestor objects in a prior custom repository. A corresponding object typically has the same name as, and an ancestor object is referenced by, the object to be upgraded. In one scheme, objects in the prior custom repository are upgraded based on (1) their corresponding objects, if these exist, and (2) their ancestors in the prior and new standard repositories, otherwise. In another scheme, the objects are additionally upgraded based on their ancestors in the new standard repository. In yet another scheme, the objects are further upgraded based on their ancestors in the prior custom repository.

Abstract: A typical client machine such as a personal computer includes network based application such as the Internet Explorer and a non-network based application such as the spreadsheet. A system and method to dynamically access the objects embedded in the network based application are disclosed. The object can be a Web site including data and the accessing is done to retrieve the data.

Abstract: A feature centric method of and system for monitoring the development and release process of a product, monitoring the development and release of a product, where the product is characterized by having a plurality of features is described. The method steps, which the system is configured to carry out, include enumerating features to be included in the product, enumerating tasks, task milestones, and task milestone completions identified to the features; enumerating required task approvals and feature approvals and completed task approvals and feature approvals, and enumerating required associated activities and completed associated activities. The enumeration preferably includes information to show linkages, associations, priorities, milestones, and missed milestones.

Abstract: Techniques to support various operations (e.g., drag-and-drop, stretch) and data manipulation in a browser environment, e.g., to allow data for an object located in one part of a document (e.g., a webpage) to be associated with another object located in another part of the document. In one design, a document includes at least one applet for at least one display window. Each applet includes at least one browser object representative of an entity for an end application. Each browser object is associated with a respective set of one or more scripts used to facilitate a set of one or more operations (e.g., drag-and-drop, stretch) permitted for the browser object. A data transfer object is generated upon initiation of a selected operation and includes data associated with a source (browser) object. The data transfer object may thereafter be operated on by various target (browser) object to effectuate the selected operation.

Abstract: A hosting center that is remote from a plurality of customer environments is provided so that users can interact with data from the user's selected customer environment. The data interaction includes bidirectional synchronization of data between that of the hosting center and that of the user's selected customer environment.

Abstract: Techniques to support user interaction in a browser environment, “capture” certain user actions, and perform appropriate defined actions. In a first scheme, “setup” pages are used to detect user actions. Each setup page is associated with a respective script that is executed when the page is activated (e.g., via a Back or Forward button). The script performs the defined actions to obtain the proper behavior for dependent pages. The scripts for the setup pages keep track of the state of these pages, and further maintain a local history stack for the URLs of the dependent pages. In a second scheme, each dependent page includes a hidden history frame having a script that performs a set of defined actions for the page. The script further keeps track of whether or not the dependent page has been loaded previously.