Abstract: A method for employing a preferred external object handler program with an integrated computer application program is described. The programs are operated simultaneously and the preferred object handler can be employed with the integrated program, rather than employing a similar object handler included in the integrated program. Data is inputted into the preferred object handler program and then, if necessary, automatically converted into a format that is compatible with the default handler.

Abstract: A dynamic application editor builds new application definition entries for and edits existing application definition entries without a need for a user to have an innate knowledge of the exact method required to invoke applications. Application definition entries describe an application's initiation, execution, procedural command language, macro syntax, and communication capabilities in an application independent manner. The dynamic application editor automatically locates, or accepts user specified existing application definition entries and presents them in a user friendly user interface for the user to edit. The user can view existing application definition entries, cut, copy and paste between application definition entries, edit and delete application definition entries, or browse entire sections of the active application definition file.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which permits the user of a computer system to directly manipulate iconic representations of software applications by automatically controlling the communications link between each icon and its associated source application. Upon receiving an indication that a user intends to move an icon displayed within a first client application, communications between the first client application and the icon's source application are automatically terminated. The icon is placed within a second client application and communications between the second client application and the source application are automatically initiated.

Abstract: Data is transferred between files within an application program or between multiple, independent, simultaneously active application programs appearing concurrently on a computer display screen using a visually assisted method. Data to be transferred from a first location is marked on the computer display screen. Subsequent optional selection of either a Cut or a Copy function causes a distinctive border to appear around the marked data. An input device may then be used to move the bordered area to a new location on the computer display screen without alteration or movement of the originally marked data. A data transfer symbol appears within the bordered area during the data transfer operation to signify that such an operation is in progress. Further selection of a Paste function causes the marked data to be inserted at its new location and deletion from the computer display screen of the distinctive border and of the data transfer symbol.

Abstract: A method for navigating between and within application programs resident in a computer system provides easy access to the programs and data within the programs. Two or more windows may be optionally linked together in an arbitrary sequence to form a chain. A user may invoke a function resident in the computer system to directly access windows in the chain in a sequence determined by the order in which the user opens the windows in a given session. The method for traversing between windows in the chain involves a uniform, short procedure dependent on positioning of a pointing cursor within an active window and, for example, pressing a mouse button. Further access to data within any application program is available by following a procedure which, although slightly different from that used to navigate between programs, is still uniform and short when compared with that normally used to traverse application programs.

Abstract: This disclosure describes the acceleration of system interrupts between one operating system and another operating system which run in a guest-host relationship. The execution time required by the host operating system (HOS) to service system interrupts is substantially reduced, thus allowing the guest operating system (GOS) to execute more efficiently. The invention is implemented by enhancing HOS supervisor services and HOS dispatching functions so that GOS resident supervisor functions are bypassed.

Abstract: A technique is described for maintaining consistent filename conventions between multiple hosts and workstations by providing a table of default parameters for various hosts and workstations and the corresponding filetypes that are accessed to determine the default parameters and filetypes for a given file. A display is also provided to display the name or names of files to be transferred and their destination. The programs which produce these screens also obtain and display default information concerning the files, such as, the file names and the data structures for the files on the destination host computer or workstation. The user can either accept the default information or change it.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a dynamic tutorial display for assisting a computer operator in the utilization of a selected interactive software application. A tutorial processing program is provided and is resident between the operating system and a selected interactive software application, acting as a filter therebetween. A sequence of desired operator inputs, such as keystrokes or mouse movements, is recorded by the tutorial processing program along with an indication of the elapsed time between each input. In response to an operator request for assistance, the tutorial processing program couples each recorded input in a selected sequence to the interactive software application, in sequence in accordance with the recorded elapsed time indications. In practice, the software application will then respond in a manner identical to the response generated by human inputs.