Abstract: A Complex Object class is provided for grouping hierarchically unrelated objects, i.e. objects which are unrelated to each other as parent and child objects, into Complex Objects in an object oriented computing environment. Each Complex Object includes a Complex Object Member frame, containing pointers to associated hierarchically unrelated objects, and Complex Object methods for performing actions on the hierarchically unrelated objects as a group. Accordingly, an object manager can send action messages to the Complex Objects to perform actions on the associated hierarchically unrelated objects using the associated Complex Object methods. As a result, customized programming for defining and utilizing Complex Objects is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling versions of selected objects in an object oriented computing system includes a common logical key attribute in each version of an object, which is used to identify all versions of an object. The object frame of each version also includes a unique combination of an insert sequence attribute and an extract sequence attribute. The unique combination of insert sequence attribute and extract sequence attribute allows the selection of a unique version of an object based on time. In order to select one or more versions of an identified object, a version time is converted into a selection sequence value. The selection sequence value is then compared to the insert sequence attributes and extract sequence attributes in order to select at least one of the versions of the selected objects. Each version may also include a perspective attribute for providing another selection criteria for selecting one or more versions of an object.