Computer-implemented method and apparatus for converting data according to a selected data transformation

A computer system for transforming input data according to a selected data transformation and providing output data representative thereof, comprising:

• a user-interface for receiving inputs by a user and generating outputs representative thereof, said user-interface including:
• an interactive display means for displaying menu options allowing the user to select, modify, and construct at least one graphic display input template and at least one graphic display output template, each template being comprised of data items, to identify at least one source data item in said at least one input template and at least one target data item in said at least one output template, and to make at least one assignment between said at least one source data item and said at least one target data item identifying the selected data transformation,
• wherein said user-interface provides outputs representative of each assignment for the selected data transformation;
• a user-interface manager which receives outputs from said user-interface representative of each assignment for the selected data transformation and generates assignment messages representative of said selected data transformation;
• a processing means for receiving said assignment messages from said user:
• interface manager and for generating a data transform program corresponding to said selected data transformation;
• a data chopping module receiving said input data and said data transform program generated by said processing means, wherein said data chopping module interprets and executes said data transform program on said input data to obtain said output data;
• wherein said processing means comprises a visual manager unit and a visual compiler;
• said visual manager unit being connected between said user interface and said visual compiler to receive said assignment messages from said user-interface manager and to send instructions and display information to said user-interface manager, wherein said visual manager unit generates a program corresponding to the data transformation identified by said assignment messages, and outputs said program to said visual compiler;
• and
• said visual compiler compiles said program generates by said visual manager unit into said data transform program and outputs said data transform program to said data chopping module.