Abstract: A method for providing context-sensitive help across variable environments. In each of the variable environments, the method can include tokenizing a received network request for help, the tokenization producing a contextually pertinent help file name and a base address of a corresponding help file. Subsequently, the corresponding help file can be located in a fixed storage location referenced by associating the help file name with the base address. Finally, the located help file can be encoded with the base address, and transmitting to a requesting client.

Abstract: A method of rendering a button in a hypermedia content browser. The method can include decoding a network address received from the content browser to determine encoded characteristics for a button. Once the encoded characteristics for the button have been determined, a button can be dynamically formed based upon the determined characteristics. Once formed, the button can be forwarded to the content browser and the content browser can render the dynamically formed button. The decoding step can include the step of parsing an HTTP request to identify a plurality of parameters which specify display characteristics for the button.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for presenting users with dynamic contextual table headers when viewing database records. The dynamic contextual table header may provide a title (or other relevant information) for some columns of the table. For example, database records may be displayed along with a header generated according to a particular context—typically a row of the table selected by a user.

Abstract: A network distributable emulated menu. The menu can include one or more composite images, each image including menu text and a graphical icon, the icon denoting a selectable menu; one or more selectable form-based input elements, each element encapsulating one of the composite images; and a graphical image of a menu structure, the graphical image including at least one form-based input element encapsulating a reference to a composite image of menu text and a graphical icon, the icon denoting at least one of a menu action and a selectable menu. Additionally, the emulated menu can include one or more table cells, each cell containing one of the selectable form-based input elements. Finally, the menu structure can include at least one of a textual menu action, a graphically selectable menu action, and a nested menu structure.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) element rendering method. A GUI element rendering method can include serving a Web page to a Web browser. The Web page can include markup which defines a form and the form can include one or more submittable input elements, each submittable input element having a corresponding key-value pair. The key-value pair can include an identifying key and a value, and one or more of the identifying keys can include a shallow form submit key indicating a request for advanced GUI element processing. One or more of the submitted key-value pairs can be received from the Web browser from among which a shallow form submit key can be identified. In consequence, advanced GUI element processing can be performed based upon values which are associated with the identified shallow form submit key.

Abstract: A variable content rendering system. The system can include one or more programmatic beans configured to render content in particular ones of the presentation environments; a mapping of selected attributes of a markup language to corresponding ones of the configured beans; and, a servlet configured to receive requests for content from individual content browsers in associated presentation environments. Importantly, the servlet can be further configured to retrieve the requested content, to identify individual markup language attributes in the retrieved content, and, based on the mapping, to select individual ones of the programmatic beans to format the retrieved content for presentation in the associated presentation environments.

Abstract: A variable content rendering system. The system can include one or more programmatic beans configured to render content in particular ones of the presentation environments; a mapping of selected attributes of a markup language to corresponding ones of the configured beans; and, a servlet configured to receive requests for content from individual content browsers in associated presentation environments. Importantly, the servlet can be further configured to retrieve the requested content, to identify individual markup language attributes in the retrieved content, and, based on the mapping, to select individual ones of the programmatic beans to format the retrieved content for presentation in the associated presentation environments.

Abstract: An inline error notification method. An error notification method can include detecting in a form-based submit, at least one validation error based upon a value provided through an input-element in a markup specified form. Upon detecting a validation error, a row can be inserted in the markup specified form in a position which is proximate to the input-element. In particular, the row can be assigned a background color which differs from other colors which are visible in proximity to the inserted row. Error text can be selected which corresponds to the validation error. Subsequently, the selected error text can be inserted in the row. An anchor tag can be further inserted in the markup specified form in a position which is proximate to the input-element. Finally, the markup specified form can be served in a response to the form-based submit, the response referencing the anchor tag.

Abstract: A software debugging tool for assisting a programmer in locating errors in content or coding, etc. generated at the client, e.g., using scripts and/or dynamic HTML. Whereas current debugging tools, such as the “View Source” option of popular Web browsing software, permits the programmer to view only the hard-coded HTML coding as it is received from a Web server, the present invention permits the programmer to view the HTML coding and/or content generated at the client. This assists the programmer to locate errors in, or “debug”, software, since it is frequently easier to detect errors in the results of an executed script than it is to detect errors in the script itself.

Abstract: A method for providing context-sensitive help across variable environments. In each of the variable environments, the method can include tokenizing a received network request for help, the tokenization producing a contextually pertinent help file name and a base address of a corresponding help file. Subsequently, the corresponding help file can be located in a fixed storage location referenced by associating the help file name with the base address. Finally, the located help file can be encoded with the base address, and transmitting to a requesting client.

Abstract: An enhanced form-based input element attribute prompting system. The system can include a servlet configured to process requests for enhanced form-based input elements, each request encapsulating at least one input element attribute associated with a requested enhanced form-based input element; and, a graphical element generation processor configured to generate an enhanced form-based input element based upon at least one specified input element attribute provided by the servlet. Each enhanced form-based input element generated by the graphical element generation processor can include a form-based input element and at least one form-based input element attribute prompt. Additionally, the attribute prompt can include least one attribute selected from the group consisting of a textual description of validation criteria, a graphical indication of input-element state, and a graphical indication of an available field action.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) element rendering method. A GUI element rendering method can include serving a Web page to a Web browser. The Web page can include markup which defines a form and the form can include one or more submittable input elements, each submittable input element having a corresponding key-value pair. The key-value pair can include an identifying key and a value, and one or more of the identifying keys can include a shallow form submit key indicating a request for advanced GUI element processing. One or more of the submitted key-value pairs can be received from the Web browser from among which a shallow form submit key can be identified. In consequence, advanced GUI element processing can be performed based upon values which are associated with the identified shallow form submit key.

Abstract: A method of rendering a button in a hypermedia content browser. The method can include decoding a network address received from the content browser to determine encoded characteristics for a button. Once the encoded characteristics for the button have been determined, a button can be dynamically formed based upon the determined characteristics. Once formed, the button can be forwarded to the content browser and the content browser can render the dynamically formed button. The decoding step can include the step of parsing an HTTP request to identify a plurality of parameters which specify display characteristics for the button.

Abstract: A network distributable emulated menu. The menu can include one or more composite images, each image including menu text and a graphical icon, the icon denoting a selectable menu; one or more selectable form-based input elements, each element encapsulating one of the composite images; and a graphical image of a menu structure, the graphical image including at least one form-based input element encapsulating a reference to a composite image of menu text and a graphical icon, the icon denoting at least one of a menu action and a selectable menu. Additionally, the emulated menu can include one or more table cells, each cell containing one of the selectable form-based input elements. Finally, the menu structure can include at least one of a textual menu action, a graphically selectable menu action, and a nested menu structure.

Abstract: A computer system user interface that includes a method of accessing electronic data. The method includes displaying on a computer display screen a control window that includes a perspective view of a work area. The work area includes at least one animated icon that is movable from a closed position to a substantial continuum of open positions. Moving the icon to an open position automatically opens a window on the display screen that contains the data to be accessed. Closing the icon automatically closes the window.