Graphical user interface

In a computer system including means for executing an application program, a memory for storing one or more application programs and one or more application files, and a subdirectory file organizing system for locating application files in the memory, each application program permitting the user to create an application file and place it in a specified subdirectory, the improvement comprising user interface means including:

• (a) means for creating a data structure specifying a plurality of projects and, for each project, one or more associated application files located in any subdirectory;
• (b) means for enabling a user to select a project;
• and
• (c) means for monitoring the execution of an application program to detect when a new application file is created and placed in a subdirectory, and means for associating the new application file with the selected project.

In a computer system including a display, means for enabling a user to control the position of a cursor on the display and to generate a selection signal, and a memory for storing application programs, an improved method for permitting a user to initiate execution of an application program, the improvement comprising user interface means including:

• (a) means for grouping application programs by creating in the memory a table comprising a table entry for each of a plurality of application programs;
• (b) means for designating an application program in the group of application programs as the default application program for the group;
• (c) for said group, means for defining an area on the display which represents the plurality of application programs;
• and
• (d) means for initiating execution of the default application program in response to the generation of a selection signal by the user while the cursor is anywhere within the area, thereby causing the default application program to be executed.