Set definition in data processing systems

A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for causing a computer to perform a method for defining sets of items in a data processing system, the items being visually represented in a graphical user interface of the system by respective graphical elements which are individually selectable via the graphical user interface to permit indication by a user of items on which actions are to be performed in the system, the executable program instructions comprising instructions for:

• receiving via the graphical user interface an indication of the graphical elements corresponding to items to be included in a set;
• generating in the graphical user interface a graphical device which identifies the graphical elements corresponding to items in the set, the device being independent of the selection state of the elements, which remain individually selectable, and the set of items being independently selectable via the graphical user interface to permit actions to be performed on the set of items in the system;
• and
• storing in the system set data defining the set of items;
• wherein said method is such that the same item can be a member concurrently of more than one said set for which the respective graphical devices concurrently identify the graphical element corresponding to that item.

Apparatus for defining sets of items in a data processing system, the items being visually represented in a graphical user interface of the system by respective graphical elements which are individually selectable via the graphical user interface to permit indication by a user of items on which actions are to be performed in the system, the apparatus comprising memory and set management logic adapted for:

• receiving via the graphical user interface an indication of the graphical elements corresponding to items to be included in a set;
• generating in the graphical user interface a graphical device which identifies the graphical elements corresponding to items in the set, the device being independent of the selection state of the elements, which remain individually selectable, and the set of items being independently selectable via the graphical user interface to permit actions to be performed on the set of items in the system;
• and
• storing in said memory set data defining the set of items;
• wherein the set management logic is adapted such that the same item can be a member concurrently of more than one said set for which the respective graphical devices concurrently identify the graphical element corresponding to that item.

A data processing system comprising memory, a display for displaying a graphical user interface, control logic for controlling the graphical user interface such that items stored in said memory are visually represented in the graphical user interface by respective graphical elements which are individually selectable via the interface to permit indication by a user of items on which actions are to be performed in the data processing system, and an input system for user input to interact with the graphical user interface, wherein the control logic includes set management logic for defining sets of items represented by elements in the graphical user interface, the set management logic being adapted for:

• receiving via the graphical user interface an indication of the graphical elements corresponding to items to be included in a set;
• generating in the graphical user interface a graphical device which identifies the graphical elements corresponding to items in the set, the device being independent of the selection state of the elements, which remain individually selectable, and the set of items being independently selectable via the graphical user interface to permit actions to be performed on the set of items in the system;
• and
• storing in said memory set data defining the set of items;
• wherein the set management logic is adapted such that the same item can be a member concurrently of more than one said set for which the respective graphical devices concurrently identify the graphical element corresponding to that item.