DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM WITH METHODS FOR IMPROVED VISUAL PROGRAMMING WITH HEIRARCHICAL OBJECT EXPLORER

A system of the present invention includes a relational database management system (RDBMS), having an object-based, interactive visual-programming language providing programming by "visual inheritance." A user places screen objects (e.g., boxes, screen buttons, table objects, and the like) on an on-screen window or "form," visually attaches selected "properties" and "methods" to the screen objects, and then establishes an containership-based event model that dictates how and when these properties and methods will be invoked. An object inherits (derives) properties and methods from other (parent) objects via its visual containership. In this manner, the task of creating and maintaining application programs is greatly simplified. An alternative embodiment providing an "Object Explorer" is also described. The Explorer collapses object inspector and object tree functionality into a single UI (user interface) element. This allows the user to avoid switching back and forth between an inspector/property sheet user interface element on the one hand and an object tree user interface element on the other. Additionally, the imporved interface consumes less screen surface area.