Abstract: A user interface control that has different logic components for processing different role logic depending on a role that is played by the user interface control. The user interface control may also have a general function component that performs general functions that may be common across multiple user interface controls. Also, a protocol for use in communicating between two user interface controls to establish a communications link. A first user interface control requests information from a second user interface control, which then obtains the requested information. The second user interface control then provides the requested information to the first user interface control, and then awaits the validation of the requested information.

Abstract: A model for displaying multiple user interface elements such that each control includes a container that includes standard functionality across at least a majority of the user interface elements. For instance, such standard functionality might include a part status indication, a title, a content status indication, a command invocation function, a part resizing function, and so forth. The model may also provide for standardization of resizing of user interface elements. For a given user interface element, there would be a predetermined number of possible size and shapes, each corresponding to a different projection of data. For instance, all of the user interface elements on a screen may fall within the predetermined number of possible size and shapes, thereby allowing more functional layout of the user interface on the display.

Abstract: A user interface control that has different logic components for processing different role logic depending on a role that is played by the user interface control. The user interface control may also have a general function component that performs general functions that may be common across multiple user interface controls. Also, a protocol for use in communicating between two user interface controls to establish a communications link. A first user interface control requests information from a second user interface control, which then obtains the requested information. The second user interface control then provides the requested information to the first user interface control, and then awaits the validation of the requested information.

Abstract: A model for displaying multiple user interface elements such that each control includes a container that includes standard functionality across at least a majority of the user interface elements. For instance, such standard functionality might include a part status indication, a title, a content status indication, a command invocation function, a part resizing function, and so forth. The model may also provide for standardization of resizing of user interface elements. For a given user interface element, there would be a predetermined number of possible size and shapes, each corresponding to a different projection of data. For instance, all of the user interface elements on a screen may fall within the predetermined number of possible size and shapes, thereby allowing more functional layout of the user interface on the display.

Abstract: Computing systems in which multiple non-context-sensitive or core commands may be initiated from each of a number of different user interface contexts. There are also multiple context-sensitive mechanism for visualizing the commands depending on which of the multiple possible user interface contexts that the commands appear. At least some embodiments described herein also related to the presentation of dialogs at various stages of the command lifecycle without the system needing to know the underlying operations of the command, and allowing the developer to specify when dialogs are to appear in that lifecycle.