Abstract: Providing access to database objects is described. An object selection area capable of presenting representations of a plurality of database objects is displayed. Each of the database objects is associated with one of a plurality of predetermined contexts. A plurality of panels are capable of presenting portions of data belonging to database objects selected in the object selection area. Some panels are relevant to more than one of the contexts. An input from the user selecting a database object presented in the object selection area is received. A panel selection control associated with the context of the selected database object is displayed. The control provides that the user can select for display any panel that is relevant to the selected object's context. Any of the selectable panels that are relevant also to a different context can also be selected in a panel selection control associated with the different context.

Abstract: Converting a computer user interface panel between different panel types. An automated process is activated that reads field attributes of a first panel in a computer system. A configuration table associated with the first panel is tied to logic that specifies how the panel of the first type interacts with a backend of the computer system. Entries are created in a second configuration table that can be used to display a second panel in the computer system. The second panel comprises at least some of the plurality of fields and belongs to a second type of panels in which a panel of the second type is formed of configuration table entries and is independent of the backend. The automated process converts the field attributes to be compatible with the second type of panels and stores them in the second configuration table for use in displaying the second panel.

Abstract: A method includes updating record content included in a database, extracting updated record content during a periodic time interval, producing an internal document that includes data representing the updated record content, producing a file that includes data corresponding to content of the internal document, and sending the file at the periodic time interval.