Program generation method

Abstract

A program is generated by combining program modules by displaying programs for guiding the combination of program modules and selecting one of the programs. Program modules stored in a memory are displayed on a display device by a command inputted from the input device, navigation programs for guiding the combination of program modules stored in the memory are retrieved by a command inputted from the input device, the retrieved navigation program group are displayed on the display device, a desired navigation program is selected from the navigation program group displayed on the display device, the navigation program is executed, a guide parameter outputted by the navigation program for the combination of program modules is designated, a connector module for combining program modules is generated from the guide parameter inputted from the input device, and the generated connector module is stored in the memory.

1 - 4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A program generation method for generating a program by coupling a plurality of programs in an information processing apparatus having a storage storing a plurality of programs and a coupler generation program for generating a coupler program, wherein a display and/or an inputting apparatus are provided, the program generation method comprising the steps of: 
 inputting a couple of programs to be coupled among said plurality of programs via said inputting apparatus; and    generating a coupler program for coupling said plurality of programs based on a parameter outputted from said coupler generation program for managing couple information for coupling said plurality of programs.    
   
   
       6 . The program generation method according to  claim 5 , wherein said inputting step includes steps of: 
 displaying a plurality of programs on a screen of said display; and    selecting the couple of programs via said inputting apparatus.    
   
   
       7 . The program generation method according to  claim 6 , further including a step wherein said couple of programs include a first program and a second program, and said coupler program relates a parameter of said second program to said first program.  
   
   
       8 . The program generation method according to  claim 5 , further including a step wherein said couple of programs include a first program and a second program, said coupler program relates a first parameter of said second program to said first program.  
   
   
       9 . The program generation method according to  claim 8 , further including a step wherein said coupler generation program inputs an input parameter, and said first parameter is outputted from said coupler generation program based upon said input parameter.  
   
   
       10 . The program generation method according to  claim 8 , further including a step wherein each of said first program and said second program is represented by graphics on said display, and a figure of an arrow representing said coupler program is displayed between said graphics representing said first program and said second program, said arrow pointing to said first program.  
   
   
       11 . The program generation method according to  claim 10 , further including a step wherein said coupler generation program inputs an input parameter, and said first parameter is outputted from said coupler generation program based upon said input parameter.  
   
   
       12 . The program generation method according to  claim 5 , further including a step wherein said display displays a first guide message from said coupler generation program and a next command button to guide setting parameters for said coupler program, and 
 when said next commend button is selected, said display displays a second guide message to guide setting parameters for said coupler program.    
   
   
       13 . A program generation system for generating a program by coupling a plurality of programs, comprising: 
 a storage storing a plurality of programs and a coupler generation program for generating a coupler program;    a display; and    an inputting apparatus comprising: 
 means for inputting a couple of programs to be coupled among said plurality of programs via said inputting apparatus; and  
 means for generating the coupler program for coupling said plurality of programs based on a parameter outputted from said coupler generation program for managing couple information for coupling said plurality of programs.  
   
   
   
       14 . The program generation system according to  claim 13 , wherein said couple of programs includes a first program and a second program, and said coupler program relates a first parameter of said second program to said first program.  
   
   
       15 . The program generation system according to  claim 14 , wherein said coupler generation program inputs an input parameter, and said first parameter is outputted from said coupler generation program based upon said input parameter.  
   
   
       16 . The program generation system according to  claim 13 , wherein said display displays a first guide message from said coupler generation program and a next command button to guide setting parameters for said coupler program, and 
 when said next command button is selected, said display displays a second guide message to guide setting parameters for said coupler program.    
   
   
       17 . A program generation program for generating a program by coupling a plurality of programs in an information processing apparatus having a storage storing the plurality of programs and a coupler generation program for generating a coupler program, a display, and an inputting apparatus, the program generation program executing steps comprising: 
 receiving as input, via said inputting apparatus, a couple of programs to be coupled among said plurality of programs; and    generating a coupler program for coupling said plurality of programs based on a parameter outputted from said coupler generation program for managing couple information for coupling said plurality of programs.    
   
   
       18 . The program generation program according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of receiving input further includes steps of: 
 displaying a plurality of programs on the screen of said display; and    receiving as input a couple of programs via said inputting apparatus.    
   
   
       19 . The program generation program according to  claim 18 , further including a step wherein said couple of programs include a first program and a second program, and said coupler program relates a first parameter of said second program to said first program.  
   
   
       20 . The program generation program according to  claim 17 , further including a step wherein said couple of programs include a first program and a second program, and said coupler program relates a first parameter of said second program to said first program.  
   
   
       21 . The program generation program according to  claim 20 , further including a step wherein said coupler generation program inputs an input parameter, and said first parameter is outputted from said coupler generation program based upon said input parameter.  
   
   
       22 . The program generation program according to  claim 20 , further including a step wherein each of said first program and said second program is represented by graphics on said display, and a figure of an arrow representing said coupler program is displayed between said graphics representing said first program and said second program, said arrow pointing said first program.  
   
   
       23 . The program generation program according to  claim 18 , further including a step wherein said coupler generation program inputs an input parameter, and said first parameter is outputted from said coupler generation program based upon said input parameter.  
   
   
       24 . The program generation program according to  claim 17 , further including a step wherein said display displays a first guide message from said coupler generation program and a next command button to guide setting parameters for said coupler program, and 
 when said next command button is selected, said display displays a second guide message to guide setting parameters for said coupler program.