Abstract: An indirect interaction input device, such as but not limited to a touch sensor, can provide multiple points of input, such as two or more positions in a coordinate space where a user is touching the sensor. These multiple points are in turn mapped to multiple positions on an output device such as a display. The mapping can be relative or absolute. With a relative mapping, boundary conditions for single and multiple displays are applied and, if appropriate, remedial offsets are added to the input points to maintain a desired user interaction model.

Abstract: An indirect interaction input device, such as but not limited to a touch sensor, can provide multiple points of input, such as two or more positions in a coordinate space where a user is touching the sensor. These multiple points are in turn mapped to multiple positions on an output device such as a display. The mapping can be relative or absolute. With a relative mapping, boundary conditions for single and multiple displays are applied and, if appropriate, remedial offsets are added to the input points to maintain a desired user interaction model.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enhance a programming language with late binding via employing expressions of the form “Expression” in syntactic positions—wherein previously only compile-time constants were allowed. In a related aspect, the subject innovation can parameterize over a member name, via examining the grammar of the language (and all the available helpers) and replace identifiers or constants with an expression(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods that enhance and balance a late binding and an early binding in a programming language, via supplying an option component to opt-in (or opt-out) late binding, and wherein a late binding is triggered based on a static type for the variable (e.g., object or a type/string.) Additionally, the variable is enabled to have different static types at different regions (e.g., a program fragment) of the programming language.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enhance expressibility in a programming language (e.g., Visual Basic) via relaxation of artificial restrictions and extension of delegates associated therewith, without changing the runtime infrastructure. A stub is employed that can replace an impermissible expression in the programming language, to leverage the existing permissible expressions.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enhance a programming language by introducing null unification on a type level in addition to a value level, for static types of both reference and value types T. An operator that adds a level of nullability (and removes such nullability) is introduced without a mention of the actual type, to steer overloading in a precise manner.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to coding assistance based on context and user preference. Assistance can be provided to facilitate specifying queries and more particularly query comprehension specification. Programmatic support can include but is not limited to providing type information for collections in scope, automatic keyword and/or query clause generation, error identification and tips.

Abstract: Multiple programming languages can be embedded and supported within a single source. Programs nested with syntax from a plurality of languages (e.g., C#, SQL, XML . . . ), among other things, enable users to avail themselves of advantageous aspects of different languages for particular tasks. Language services that provide language specific functionality including but not limited to formatting, intelligent assist, auto completion, and coloring, can be employed and switched between to afford support for their respective languages in a mixed language source program. Similarly, mixed language programs can be compiled with language specific services or systems such as parsers, scanners and the like to process corresponding code portions.

Abstract: An architecture that that extends conventional computer programming languages that compile into an instance of an extensible markup language (XML) document object model (DOM) to provide support for XML literals in the underlying programming language. This architecture facilitates a convenient short cut by replacing the complex explicit construction required by conventional systems to create an instance of a DOM with a concise XML literal for which conventional compilers can translate into the appropriate code. The architecture allows these XML literals to be embedded with expressions, statement blocks or namespaces to further enrich the power and versatility. In accordance therewith, context information describing the position and data types that an XML DOM can accept can be provided to the programmer via, for example, an integrated development environment.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to layering of a plurality of type systems. A development environment and language compilers can support multiple data models and their type systems in the same program. Elements of a program such as expressions can then be associated with several types from the multiple type systems. Compilers can employ the information provided by additional type systems to improve static type checking. Furthermore, the information can be bubbled up to a user in a plurality of forms including but not limited to intelligent assistance, auto-completion, tool tips, error information, and return types to enhance the program development experience.