Abstract: A technique for providing automatic modification of a computer application program adopts the program for compatibility with hardware different from that for which the program was originally written and tested. Upon initial loading of the application program, a search is made to determine the existence of a set of exception tables, external to the application program. If the exception tables are present, all code conversion tables within the application program relating to I/O operations are modified according to the set of exception tables. Plural sets of exception tables may be included with the ability of the operator to choose which set of exception tables will be used to modify the program, thereby allowing the operator to use a single program with a variety of different hardwawre configurations, assuring with each configuration that the intended characters and symbols are displayed and printed.

Abstract: A pointer controlled by a pointing device, such as a mouse, is temporarily removed from a visual display screen when a first character is being updated on the screen. The pointer is left hidden from the screen until the event causing screen updating has been idle for a predetermined period of time. The pointer is not removed from the screen if the keystroke or other hiding event is invalid in the current context of the application program. The pointer is also immediately redisplayed if an event associated with the pointing device, such as either pointing device movement of pointing device button clicking, is detected.

Abstract: In a data processing system including a keyboard a visual display device, and a pointing input device, such as a mouse, pointing input device events, as well as keyboard events, can be directly stored relative to a keystroke program by defining and storing relative to each menu, command bar, or subdivision thereof, a table of zones capable of being pointed to by the pointing input device. The pointing input device position is then compared to the coordinates of the zones and when a match of the zone coordinates and pointing input device position occurs the stored data table is further utilized to determine valid pointing input device events. The presence of the pointing input device pointer in appropriate zones, along with appropriate pointing input device actions, are the events stored relative to a keystroke program, rather than a conversion of the pointing input device actions into keystrokes by keyboard emulation.