Abstract: In a computer display system, data structures or views are organized in a hierarchical manner. Each view has stored therein: (1) display information; (2) information pertaining to how that view is linked to other views in the hierarchy; (3) relative coordinates; (4) global coordinates indicating where on the display the view should be drawn; and (5) a valid flag indicating whether the global coordinates are currently valid. When a view is moved, its global coordinates are no longer valid. Thus, the valid flag in the view is reset to so indicate. In addition, the valid flag of all of that view's subviews are reset (if they are not already reset). The global coordinates of the view and subviews, however, are not immediately recomputed. Rather, the global coordinates of these views are recomputed only when they are needed, such as when they are accessed for display.