Abstract: A method and system for creating and modifying computer applications using an application description language based on a markup language is provided. An engine creates, connects, and initializes objects corresponding to entities, and specified by entity tags. A factory may be specified by an entity tag and used to create a plurality of entities. Applications are specified in a plaintext descriptive language using a markup language such as XML, enabling applications to be easily developed using object oriented techniques and abstraction. Altering preexisting applications is also simplified. Finally, an application may be dynamically reconfigured when the application's data changes. Type checking and conditional creation of entities is supported.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to dynamically building software applications and dynamically updating software applications based on changed data values. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an indication that a software application is to be initiated. The computer system also receives an application description including tags describing software objects that are to be included in the software application, automatically maps portions of the application description identified by the tags to software objects using reflection, where the reflecting includes accessing properties associated with the software objects, and automatically binds properties of the software objects to the portions of the application description based declarative rules included in the software object properties associated with the software object.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to dynamically reconfiguring at least a portion of an operating software application. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an edit indicating that at least one portion of an operating software application is to be edited, where the edit includes changes that are to be dynamically applied to the application. The computer system instantiates dynamic configuration builders designed to implement application changes as indicated by the received edit and determines which portions of the application are to be suspended while the changes to the application are implemented. The computer system suspends the determined application portions until the application changes are implemented and implements the changes indicated by the edit on the suspended portion of the application, while the remainder of the application continues operating.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to dynamically building software applications and dynamically updating software applications based on changed data values. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an indication that a software application is to be initiated. The computer system also receives an application description including tags describing software objects that are to be included in the software application, automatically maps portions of the application description identified by the tags to software objects using reflection, where the reflecting includes accessing properties associated with the software objects, and automatically binds properties of the software objects to the portions of the application description based declarative rules included in the software object properties associated with the software object.