Abstract: A Web Part connection runtime framework provides the architecture for Web Parts to connect and pass data between each other. The runtime framework provides a series of interfaces that a Web Part can implement to send or receive information from other connected Web Parts. The interfaces provided by the runtime framework allow for the connection of Web Parts on a server or client. A first Web Part is retrieved and connected to a second Web Part in response to a user selecting information to be passed from the first Web Part to the second Web Part. Subroutines of the connected Web Parts are fired signaling the Web Parts to pass data from one to another. Once the data is passed, the Web Part receiving data can be rendered while containing the passed data on the server or the client.

Abstract: The Web Part authoring framework provides the a graphical user interface for connecting Web Parts, mechanisms for determining the compatibility between Web Parts, and the means to persist the connection between Web Parts. The framework builds the user interface for selecting the source and target parts based on a series of compatibility rules. A user can access a menu to specify the type of connection between a compatible source and target part. If the Web Parts implement different connection interface types, a transformer is generated to make the Web Parts compatible. The target and source Web Parts can reside on the same or different pages. Additionally, the target and source Web Parts can be created by different developers. After the end user defines the connection, the framework forms the connection between the Web Parts so the parts can share information.