A dynamic application environment or
system is described that includes a
client, a run-
time system, and a back-end
database. The
client comprises a
workstation or desktop PC running browser
software, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The back-end
database comprises a back-end (e.g.,
server-based)
database system, such as an
SQL-based database
system. The run-
time system includes a collection or repository module for storing “presentation templates,” a Template Services Module or engine, a Template Parameters Module, and a
Database Accessor Module. The presentation templates are employed for presentation of the application to the
user interface (at the
client). At application run-time, the templates are provided to the Template Services Module, which includes a Template Manager and a Template Parser. These provide generic
processing of the templates, which may be assembled to complete a finished product (i.e., run-time application). For instance, the Template Services Module knows how to load and parse a template and then look up its parameters, regardless of the application-specific details (e.g.,
user interface implementation) embodied by the template. In use, the system is deployed with presentation templates that represent the various client views of the target application, for the various platforms that the application is deployed to. In this manner, when new functionality needs to be added to the system, it may simply be added by expanding the run-time
library portion of the system.