Abstract: Techniques are provided for prioritizing a choice. A priority box associated with a choice is provided. A priority value is received as input for the priority box, wherein the priority value both selects and ranks the associated choice. The priority value is displayed within the priority box.

Abstract: A data collection and retrieval system and associated method allow the capture and replication of data presented at various Web pages into a database application through text parsing of the HTML source code of that document. The system allows the user to select one or more Web pages containing data of interest; to specify exactly which data within any page is to be captured; to specify how frequently data is to be collected; and to specify the conditions for collection and retrieval. The advantage of the system is realized through efficient, automated data collection that would otherwise be impractical. The system includes an initialization stage and an automatic execution stage. The initialization stage provides the user interface which allows the user to select the source file that contains data the user wishes to copy, target database that will receive the data, and timing criteria for automatic transfer of data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for displaying diagnostic messages is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting user input into the computer, generating at least one message wherein the message comprises an associated message context, grouping the diagnostic messages according to the message context, and presenting the grouped messages to the user. In one embodiment, the messages are diagnostic messages that are generated for each instance where user input data violates an input constraint, and the messages are grouped according to the violated input constraint. The article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing the method steps defined above.

Abstract: Providing feedback concerning a content pane to be docked in a host window is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing a description of a position of a content pane within a host window and utilizing a diagram to indicate the position and the orientation of the content pane within the host window. Docking is allowed to occur anywhere in the host window, not only in the border regions. In addition, docking positions include the positions inside the split panes. Given a vertical splitter bar, for example, the left-top, left-bottom, right-top, and right-bottom positions are available. The thumbnail feedback when docking shows how existing docking panes will be moved and resized, as well as the orientation and relative size of the resulting docking pane.

Abstract: A sorting system and method that sorts records based on multiple fields by converting the fields to a common data type and sorting the common data type fields using a single sorting algorithm whereupon the records can be ordered based on the sorted common data type fields. The single sorting algorithm can quickly, efficiently, and accurately sort the records because the index fields have been converted to appropriate simple values in a common data type.

Abstract: A data collection and retrieval system and associated method allow the capture and replication of data presented at various Web pages into a database application through text parsing of the HTML source code of that document. The system allows the user to select one or more Web pages containing data of interest; to specify exactly which data within any page is to be captured; to specify how frequently data is to be collected; and to specify the conditions for collection and retrieval. The advantage of the system is realized through efficient, automated data collection that would otherwise be impractical. The system includes an initialization stage and an automatic execution stage. The initialization stage provides the user interface which allows the user to select the source file that contains data the user wishes to copy, target database that will receive the data, and timing criteria for automatic transfer of data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for accepting data input into a computer is disclosed. The method presents an independent component and a dependent component to the user. The independent component comprises an input area for accepting independent input data. The dependent component comprises a dependent component input area for accepting dependent component input data and is associated with a dependent component constraint that is at least partially dependent on the independent component input data. User input is accepted into the dependent component input area, and an assistance policy associated with the dependent component is followed when the user input violates the dependent component constraint. The article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing the method steps defined above.

Abstract: Providing feedback concerning a content pane to be docked in a host window is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing a description of a position of a content pane within a host window and utilizing a diagram to indicate the position and the orientation of the content pane within the host window. Docking is allowed to occur anywhere in the host window, not only in the border regions. In addition, docking positions include the positions inside the split panes. Given a vertical splitter bar, for example, the left-top, left-bottom, right-top, and right-bottom positions are available. The thumbnail feedback when docking shows how existing docking panes will be moved and resized, as well as the orientation and relative size of the resulting docking pane.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a programming development environment that supports the development of portable server routines. More specifically, the present invention discloses a method for storing and retrieving server routines within the database independent of any file I/O system. Also, the present invention discloses a debugging environment that allows debugging of server routines in a multi-tier environment, wherein the source code being debugged runs on the development machine.

Abstract: A sorting system and method that sorts records based on multiple fields by converting the fields to a common data type and sorting the common data type fields using a single sorting algorithm whereupon the records can be ordered based on the sorted common data type fields. The single sorting algorithm can quickly, efficiently, and accurately sort the records because the index fields have been converted to appropriate simple values in a common data type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for accepting data input into a computer is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of presenting a component to the user, wherein the component includes an input area for accepting the input data, and the component is subject to a constraint for the data, accepting user input into the component input area, and following an assistance policy associated with the component when the user input violates the value constraint. In one embodiment, the value constraint for the input data is organized according to the component content type. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of defining a component comprising an input area for accepting input data, associating the component with a value constraint according to a content type of the input area, and associating the component with an assistance policy selected from a set of assistance policies.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for a universal calling interface for executing a stored procedure in a computer. Parameter information is retrieved from a database catalog and the computer performs type checking against the user-entered parameters. If there is not a type mismatch then the computer executes the stored procedure without the user entering information about the parameters such as address and type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture and memory for providing a programming development environment that supports the development of Internet and Intranet applications. More specially, the present invention discloses an efficient, versatile dynamic debugger that allows platform-independent debugging of applications written in a wide variety of languages.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for passing a VisualBasic array argument to an SQL stored procedure executed by a computer. The VisualBasic array is first created in the memory of the computer and comprises an object. The array is then passed to a C or C++ function in the memory of the computer. The function to which the array is passed is declared as an alias for another function within VisualBasic. Execution of the function by the computer returns a handle for the passed array. Finally, the handle is passed to the SQL stored procedure in the memory of the computer, and is accessed by the stored procedure during execution by the computer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for passing a VisualBasic array argument to an SQL stored procedure executed by a computer. The VisualBasic array is first created in the memory of the computer and comprises an object. The array is then passed to a C or C++ function in the memory of the computer. The function to which the array is passed is declared as an alias for another function within VisualBasic. Execution of the function by the computer returns a handle for the passed array. Finally, the handle is passed to the SQL stored procedure in the memory of the computer, and is accessed by the stored procedure during execution by the computer.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for enabling an application to pass a structure containing a pointer member to an external entity, wherein the application represents a computer program executing in a computer system, and the computer program is written in a computer programming language that does not support pointers. The application declares a variable V, a structure type having a member P, and a variable M of the structure type. The application invokes a function written in a computer programming language that supports pointers. A reference to the variable V is passed to the function. The function, when executed, obtains and returns an address of the variable V. The application sets the member P in the variable M equal to the address of the variable V. The application then passes the variable M to an external entity. In this manner, the present invention enables a structure having a pointer embedded therein to be passed to the external entity.

Abstract: A system and method for passing arrays and structures as host variables to a stored procedure. An application program packs an array or structure into a binary large object (BLOB) and sends the BLOB to a database management system. An adapter called by the database management system, and coupled to the stored procedure, passes a reference to the data area in the BLOB to the stored procedure. After completion of the stored procedure, the BLOB is returned to the application program. Finally, upon the return from the stored procedure call, the application program unpacks the BLOB back into the array or structure.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a file from a client platform to a server platform. A procedure.sub.-- to.sub.-- invoke parameter is set equal to information identifying a file transfer procedure located at the server platform. A pointer in a first "sqlvar" parameter is caused to point to the string representing the file, and a pointer in a second sqlvar parameter is caused to point to a file name of the file. The first and second sqlvar parameters are part of an input.sub.-- args parameter. A "sqleproc" function is invoked at the client platform. The procedure.sub.-- to.sub.-- invoke and input.sub.-- args parameters are passed to the sqleproc function. The sqleproc function when executed causes the input.sub.-- args parameter to be passed to the file transfer procedure at the server platform, and also causes the file transfer procedure to be invoked at the server platform.