Abstract: A user interface control that has different logic components for processing different role logic depending on a role that is played by the user interface control. The user interface control may also have a general function component that performs general functions that may be common across multiple user interface controls. Also, a protocol for use in communicating between two user interface controls to establish a communications link. A first user interface control requests information from a second user interface control, which then obtains the requested information. The second user interface control then provides the requested information to the first user interface control, and then awaits the validation of the requested information.

Abstract: A selection component that facilitates selection of user interface items. Upon receiving a user interface item identification from a data model component, the selection component determines a selection state of the identified user interface item using maintained selection state. The selection component then propagates the selection state in two directions. In one direction, the selection component notifies the identified user interface item of the selection state so that the user interface item may visualize its selection state. In the other direction, the selection component notifies an action module of the selection state of the user interface item so that the action module may take further action external to the user interface item based on the selection state. For instance, the action module might create a new user interface element.

Abstract: A model for displaying multiple user interface elements such that each control includes a container that includes standard functionality across at least a majority of the user interface elements. For instance, such standard functionality might include a part status indication, a title, a content status indication, a command invocation function, a part resizing function, and so forth. The model may also provide for standardization of resizing of user interface elements. For a given user interface element, there would be a predetermined number of possible size and shapes, each corresponding to a different projection of data. For instance, all of the user interface elements on a screen may fall within the predetermined number of possible size and shapes, thereby allowing more functional layout of the user interface on the display.

Abstract: A gallery user interface element that includes multiple selectable service user interface elements. Each of the selectable service user interface elements, when selected, initiates a corresponding predetermined action. Thus, the gallery may be used to initiate any number of predetermined actions by selecting appropriate service user interface elements. The predetermined actions may be performed by a number of user interface elements that are collectively offered by a variety of different applications, application extensions, or the system itself. The predetermined actions may include at least one predetermined action that extends an extendible canvas with one or more additional user interface elements. The gallery may include multiple pinnable elements and have different versions depending on a context in which the gallery was opened.

Abstract: A hierarchy of controls and parts, that are each in accordance with constraints of a computing executing context. A control is executable code that performs a function and which may impart a visualization. A part is a unit of visualization container that has its own visualization and/or shows visualizations from one or more compliant controls associated with the part.

Abstract: A multi-act creation user interface element that is displayed when a user instructs a computing system to initiate creation of a resource that has multiple associated creation processing acts. For each of some or all of the creation processing acts, the multi-act creation user interface element causes a set of one or more controls to appear, which the user may then enter creation information into. The multi-step creation user interface element persists creation information so entered so that the creation information is available for further creation processing acts.

Abstract: A user interface control that has different logic components for processing different role logic depending on a role that is played by the user interface control. The user interface control may also have a general function component that performs general functions that may be common across multiple user interface controls. Also, a protocol for use in communicating between two user interface controls to establish a communications link. A first user interface control requests information from a second user interface control, which then obtains the requested information. The second user interface control then provides the requested information to the first user interface control, and then awaits the validation of the requested information.

Abstract: A gallery user interface element that includes multiple selectable service user interface elements. Each of the selectable service user interface elements, when selected, initiates a corresponding predetermined action. Thus, the gallery may be used to initiate any number of predetermined actions by selecting appropriate service user interface elements. The predetermined actions may be performed by a number of user interface elements that are collectively offered by a variety of different applications, application extensions, or the system itself. The predetermined actions may include at least one predetermined action that extends an extendible canvas with one or more additional user interface elements. The gallery may include multiple pinnable elements and have different versions depending on a context in which the gallery was opened.

Abstract: A model for displaying multiple user interface elements such that each control includes a container that includes standard functionality across at least a majority of the user interface elements. For instance, such standard functionality might include a part status indication, a title, a content status indication, a command invocation function, a part resizing function, and so forth. The model may also provide for standardization of resizing of user interface elements. For a given user interface element, there would be a predetermined number of possible size and shapes, each corresponding to a different projection of data. For instance, all of the user interface elements on a screen may fall within the predetermined number of possible size and shapes, thereby allowing more functional layout of the user interface on the display.

Abstract: A selection component that facilitates selection of user interface items. Upon receiving a user interface item identification from a data model component, the selection component determines a selection state of the identified user interface item using maintained selection state. The selection component then propagates the selection state in two directions. In one direction, the selection component notifies the identified user interface item of the selection state so that the user interface item may visualize its selection state. In the other direction, the selection component notifies an action module of the selection state of the user interface item so that the action module may take further action external to the user interface item based on the selection state. For instance, the action module might create a new user interface element.

Abstract: A multi-act creation user interface element that is displayed when a user instructs a computing system to initiate creation of a resource that has multiple associated creation processing acts. For each of some or all of the creation processing acts, the multi-act creation user interface element causes a set of one or more controls to appear, which the user may then enter creation information into. The multi-step creation user interface element persists creation information so entered so that the creation information is available for further creation processing acts.

Abstract: A hierarchy of controls and parts, that are each in accordance with constraints of a computing executing context. A control is executable code that performs a function and which may impart a visualization. A part is a unit of visualization container that has its own visualization and/or shows visualizations from one or more compliant controls associated with the part.