Abstract: An object model-based visual builder is provided which includes proxy objects at build time, each corresponding to a target object at runtime. Each such proxy object has associated therewith several items of information, including the class of the target object corresponding to the proxy object, presentation information, properties and how they are mapped to IDL attributes and operations, events available on the target object, and operations supported by the target object. A portion of such information is stored in an Interface Repository, such as the System Object Model (SOM) Interface Repository, in easily changeable form, with the necessary knowledge for retrieving such information from the Interface Repository being contained in the proxy object itself. The information stored in the Interface Repository may be changed without altering or recompiling the source code which implements the proxy object itself.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing an improved visual builder. A proxy tree comprised of proxy objects is visually built. Each proxy object corresponds to a target object in a runtime hierarchical target object tree. Proxy object interfaces, as seen by the user, are decoupled or separately and independently defined from the interfaces of the target objects. Accordingly, arbitrary mapping of proxy properties and operations to IDL attributes and operations is provided for. Visibility and grouping control is also provided to proxy properties and operations whereby the visual builder is not forced to present the exact attributes and operations of the target objects dictated by a given object definition which may be less user-friendly, inappropriate, or unnecessary in a visual builder environment.