Integrated development environment and method

摘要

A method of creating a software application using an integrated development environment, IDE, running on a computing device having at least a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device. The method includes retrieving from the memory and providing on the display device a number of graphical elements each representing at least one operation to be performed on data. The method further includes enabling a user of the computing device to select and arrange at least some of the graphical elements on the display device using the input device. The method includes enabling the user to arrange graphical links between the selected graphical elements, wherein the selected graphical elements and the graphical links together form one or more graphical models of a process to be performed on data by the software application, and displaying in the IDE a 3D representation of the graphical model or models.

主权项

1. A method of creating a software application using an integrated development environment, IDE, running on a computing device having at least a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, said method comprising:
retrieving from said memory and displaying on said display device a number of graphical elements each representing at least one operation to be performed on data; after said retrieving and displaying steps, enabling a user of said computing device to select and arrange at least some of said graphical elements on said display device using said input device; enabling said user to arrange graphical links between said selected graphical elements, wherein said selected graphical elements and said graphical links together form one or more graphical models of a process to be performed on data by said software application; displaying in said IDE a 3D representation of said graphical model or models; allowing said user to rotate said 3D representation in three dimensions so as to view said 3D representation from different angles; said user creating a plurality of said graphical models, said graphical models being of at least first and second types; said processor automatically causing said graphical models to be displayed in said 3D representation in a number of different three dimensional layers, said layers comprising at least a first layer containing graphical models of said first type and a second layer containing graphical models of said second type, wherein the organization of graphical models in one layer is automatically adjusted by said processor in dependence on the organization of graphical models in another layer; allowing said user to switch a layer, or any combination of layers, on or off, so that said layer or combination of layers is visible or not visible in said 3D representation; allowing said user to select any graphical model or set of graphical models, and then automatically remove from said 3D representation any graphical models which are not directly or indirectly dependent on the selected graphical model or models, or on which the selected graphical model or models are not directly or indirectly dependent; and compiling, at said processor, said software application.