Dynamic configuration forms in network management software

Abstract

One or more form descriptions are expressed in the form description language (FDL) and are entered into an FDL file. The FDL file is then registered with a dynamic forms software module using a dynamic forms API. Upon registration, the file is parsed and software "specification" objects containing a data from the file or added to the internal catalogue of compiled form descriptions. When the application requests a form to be displayed, the dynamic form software finds the entry for the form in the catalogue, constructs the form using the information from the specification objects, and displays the information to the user. The form construction process includes the selection of widgets, the binding of each widget to a data source, the layout and alignment of all widgets, and the construction of rule objects that respond to the users interaction with the form and validate the users input.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.