Abstract: A framework is implemented. The framework is configured to execute an application within the framework, the application includes instantiated runtime objects. New instantiated runtime objects may be created and instantiated runtime objects destroyed while the application is executing. The framework is further configured to implement a debugger within the framework. At the debugger, instantiated runtime objects are correlated with lines of code of the application. Some embodiments allow users to debug executing applications. This can be accomplished by a user interacting with the executing application which then causes indications in the debugger or interacting with the debugger and which causes indications on instantiated runtime objects in the application.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for the facilitating the layout and composition of graphics. Embodiments of the present invention allow declarative input for creation and modification of layout compositions and also allows adjustments or modifications made to layout compositions. Layout compositions may be created, adjusted, and modified by input through a markup language or by user-commands and gestures. Relationships and associations among nodes and among line segments and connections between nodes which are embodied within a composition or created by an auto layout are preserved both during and after adjustments and modifications.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer system instantiates a real-time incremental editor configured to receive editing inputs that are to be applied to data of a data model, where the data model data declaratively defines a UI model that drives the behavior of a corresponding UI based on the UI model. The computer system receives an editing input from a user indicating one or more desired edits that are to be made to the UI and determines, based on the received editing inputs, which changes are to be made to the data model data to enact the desired changes in the UI. The computer system updates the UI in real-time based on the determined edits to the data model data and presents the updated UI in real-time without losing state information in the resultant UI.

Abstract: Performing incremental runtime composition. A method includes a computing system receiving a user input gesture modifying a diagram displayed on a diagram surface. The diagram includes a first element, a second element, and a plurality of elements connected to the second element laid out in a particular layout pattern with respect to the second element. The method further includes interpreting the user input gesture to be a gesture creating a graph by connecting the first element to the second element of the diagram. The method further includes performing an auto layout of the diagram by automatically, and without user intervention, repositioning the second element with respect to the first element but without substantially repositioning the plurality of elements with respect to the second element by moving the second element and the plurality of elements as an atomic unit.

Abstract: Digital shadowing when rendering visual items (e.g., windows) at different virtual display levels (such as z-order levels). The rendering is based on the determination of a position and virtual display level for each of the visual items to be displayed. For those visual items that cast a shadow on lower-level in-shadow visual items, the determined position of the shadow-casting visual item is used to render the shadow on each of the in-shadow visual items differently depending on the corresponding virtual display level of the in-shadow visual items. In particular, the in-shadow visual item that has a lower virtual display level has a longer shadow cast by the shadow-casting visual item than those in-shadow visual items that have a higher virtual display level. This allows the shadows to have a more natural look.

Abstract: Defining a layout of diagram elements. A method includes receiving user input. The user input includes one or more declarative statements specifying conditional patterns based on attributes of diagram elements. The conditional patterns define layouts of diagram elements. Implementation of the layouts is dependent on conditions defined in the declarative statements and one or more values of one or more of the attributes. The method further includes organizing the conditional patterns as a pattern definition. The pattern definition is stored on a computer readable medium. The pattern definition is stored such that the pattern definition is retrievable by an application program that uses the pattern definition to evaluate the conditional patterns using values of attributes of one or more diagram elements. The application is also configured to display representations of the diagram elements according to the layouts when conditions for implementing the layouts are satisfied.

Abstract: Mechanisms for allowing a user to scroll through a displayed viewer. Upon detected using input while the viewer is being displayed, the user input is identified is being a scrolling gesture. In response, a scrolling control is activated at an interior portion of the displayed viewer. In addition, when the user navigates the cursor to within a scrollable display, the cursor is adorned with a scrolling context emblem that represents scrolling options available for that viewer.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using visual landmarks to organize diagrams. Embodiments of the invention facilitate using visual landmarks to organize elements within a diagram. Elements of a diagram can be arranged in accordance with configurable defined properties of visual landmarks to provide some degree of layout structure within the diagram. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a user experience that provides some structure but retains the flexibility of free form editing. Users can customize visual landmarks to cause the visual landmarks to exhibit desired behavior.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for hierarchically presenting tabular data. Embodiments of the invention utilize out-denting and/or color coding to organize and present tabular data to a user so that comparisons across multiple levels of data are possible while maintaining hierarchical organization of a model. That is, the columnar structure of tables can be maintained to allow rich cross-column comparison within various levels of nesting. Further, scaling is significantly increased since nesting has a reduced (and potentially no) impact on column alignment.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for flexible creation of auto-layout compliant diagrams. Visual feedback is provided to a user to assist the user with adding, deleting, and moving visual elements in diagrams in compliance with auto-layout constraints. Visual feedback is provided prior to adding, deleting, and moving a visual element so a user has an indication of what diagram's layout is to be after adding, deleting, or moving the visual element. Visual feedback can include shape guides that correspond to auto-layout compliant locations where a visual element can be added to a diagram. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a user experience that approaches the flexibility of free form editing but retains the benefits of auto-layout mechanisms.

Abstract: Expanding and contracting a display screen container. Data is stored in a computer readable medium. The data represents a screen container such as a graphical desktop user interface displayable to a user on a computer display of a computing device. Data is stored representing artifacts, including one or more application graphical user interface artifacts for applications that are instantiated on the computing device. Information is stored specifying locations where each of the artifacts should be graphically located in the screen container. The graphical size of screen container is determined by the locations of the artifacts. Based on user input, a portion of the screen container is displayed to the user on the computer display of the computing device. The screen container may be expanded or contracted based on opening or closing graphical user interface artifacts, adding or removing artifacts, or repositioning artifacts.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for flexibly editing heterogeneous documents. Different types of documents can be organized on a universal and dynamically adjustable workspace canvas in a manner that indicates relationships between the documents. The workspace canvas is configured to host various different editors simultaneously for editing the different types of documents. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention facilitate editing different typed documents within the same context and in a manner that maintains relationships between documents.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for the facilitating the layout and composition of graphics. Embodiments of the present invention allow declarative input for creation and modification of layout compositions and also allows adjustments or modifications made to layout compositions. Layout compositions may be created, adjusted, and modified by input through a markup language or by user-commands and gestures. Relationships and associations among nodes and among line segments and connections between nodes which are embodied within a composition or created by an auto layout are preserved both during and after adjustments and modifications.

Abstract: A framework is implemented. The framework is configured to execute an application within the framework, the application includes instantiated runtime objects. New instantiated runtime objects may be created and instantiated runtime objects destroyed while the application is executing. The framework is further configured to implement a debugger within the framework. At the debugger, instantiated runtime objects are correlated with lines of code of the application. Some embodiments allow users to debug executing applications. This can be accomplished by a user interacting with the executing application which then causes indications in the debugger or interacting with the debugger and which causes indications on instantiated runtime objects in the application.