Automated client/server development tool using drag-and-drop metaphor

摘要

A tool for the development of multiple-table database applications for client/server environments automates both capture of system requirements and code production. A client portion of a multiple- table, client/server database application for processing requests against a server database, is developed by first storing in a repository a description of the server database describing database entities within the server database and relationships between those database entities. Representations of the database entities are displayed, and an application drawing window is provided. The user drags and drops within the application drawing window one of said representations that represents a particular database entity. The tool then creates within the repository an entry for the particular database entity, and draws within the drawing window a representation of the particular database entity. For each database entity for which an entry within the repository has been created, the tool checks the description of the server database stored in the repository to determine whether a relationship exists between the particular database entity and the database entity being checked. If a relationship does exist between the particular database entity and the database entity being checked, the tool then creates within the repository an entry for that relationship, and draws within the drawing window a connector representing that relationship. The foregoing drag-and-drop sequence is repeated multiple times. When the design is complete, the tool, using information stored in the repository, automatically generates the client portion of the multiple-table, client/server database application.