Method and apparatus for creating a hierarchical model to facilitate identifying components in a programming language file

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for creating a hierarchical model from a programming language file that includes components, the method comprising:

• obtaining a component from the programming language file wherein the component has a first corresponding renderer that generates output according to the properties and children of the component;
• replacing the first corresponding renderer with a second corresponding renderer;
• passing the second corresponding renderer to the component;
• and
• requesting the component to encode itself using the second corresponding renderer, thereby causing the second corresponding renderer to generate elements in the hierarchical model;
• wherein each element includes an attribute that identifies the component, thereby allowing the component to be subsequently identified by referencing the attribute in the corresponding element in the hierarchical model.

An apparatus that creates a hierarchical model from a programming language file that includes components, comprising:

• a memory;
• an obtaining mechanism configured to obtain a component from the programming language file wherein the component has a first corresponding renderer that generates output according to the properties and children of the component;
• a replacing mechanism to replace the first corresponding renderer with a second corresponding renderer;
• a passing mechanism configured to pass the second corresponding renderer to the component;
• and
• a requesting mechanism configured to request the component to encode itself using the second corresponding renderer, thereby causing the second corresponding renderer to generate elements in the hierarchical model;
• wherein each element includes an attribute that identifies the component, thereby allowing the component to be subsequently identified by referencing the attribute in the corresponding element in the hierarchical model;
• and
• wherein the hierarchical model is stored in the memory.