Method for providing a visual representation of dynamic HTML table attributes

A computer, comprising:

• a processor;
• an operating system;
• means for generating a table format object, wherein the table format object comprises executable code to be included in a document containing markup language, and wherein the table format object is used to format a table within a markup language document that is generated at a server in response to a request from a client;
• means for providing a first representation illustrating how the table will appear when formatted by the table format object for inclusion within a markup language document, the first representation including given table attribute elements;
• means for providing a second representation identifying, for each table attribute element, a set of methods that are available on the table format object;
• and
• means for bidirectionally hyperlinking a given table attribute element in the first representation to its corresponding set of methods in the second representation, wherein a bidirectional link between a given table attribute and its corresponding set of methods includes an anchor in each of the first and second representations.

A computer program product on a computer readable medium for use in a data processing system for visually aiding a developer, the computer program product comprising:

• means for generating a table format object, wherein the table format object comprises executable code to be included in a document containing markup language, and wherein the table format object is used to format a table within a markup language document that is generated at a server in response to a request from a client;
• means for providing a first representation illustrating how the table will appear when formatted by the table format object for inclusion within a markup language document, the first representation including given table attribute elements;
• means for providing a second representation identifying, for each table attribute element, a set of methods that are available on the table format object;
• and
• means for bidirectionally hyperlinking a given table attribute element in the first representation to its corresponding set of methods in the second representation, wherein a bidirectional link between a given table attribute and its corresponding set of methods includes an anchor in each of the first and second representations.