GRAPHICAL INTERFACE FOR DIRECT MANIPULATION OF SOFTWARE OBJECTS

摘要

An intuitive user interface is provided for carrying out operations on software objects. The software objects may be databases, and the operations may be Boolean operations. The software objects may be represented by icons, and may be stored hierarchically within a system of folders. Each of the Boolean operators may also have an icon, which may operate as a folder. A first software object may be selected and activated by associating it with a desired Boolean operator, for example, by clicking and dragging the first software object onto the icon for the desired Boolean operation. A second software object may then be selected and associated with the activated first software object, for example, by clicking and dragging the second software object onto the icon for the activated first software object. The desired Boolean operation may then be performed to provide an output software object represented by an icon.