Flexible hyperlink association system and method

摘要

An arbitrary character string displayed on a display device (704) is highlighted by a user, who then depresses a predetermined key. In response to the depression of this predetermined key, a CPU stores the highlighted word into a buffer memory (712) and searches a data base (714) for this word. The data base (714) is selected as an active data case out of a plurality of data bases. When the highlighted word is present in the active data base (714), the CPU reads and invokes a program associated with the word. When the highlighted word is not found, the CPU displays a dialogue box on the display device (704) to allow the user to enter the name of the program to be invoked.