Method and apparatus for manipulating very long lists of data displayed in a graphical user interface using a layered list mechanism

摘要

A method and apparatus for displaying a data collection within a data processing system, wherein the data collection includes a plurality of entries. First a control layer is displayed. Next, entries from the plurality of entries in the data collection are displayed within the control layer. In response to entries within the plurality of entries being undisplayed within the control layer, a secondary layer and entries from the additional entries from the plurality of entries are displayed within the secondary layer, wherein the data collection is efficiently displayed within the data processing system.