METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING THE GRAPHICAL DISPLAY OF MULTI-FIELD TEXT STRING OBJECTS

An interface to a multi-field text string object is provided to intercept display requests from a control utilizing a single field text string to the multi-field text string object. The interface passes contents of a current display field within the multi-field text string object to the legacy control in response to intercepted requests. The interface also intercepts change requests, such as Java setText( ) methods, from the legacy control to edit the contents of the multi-field text string object. The intercepted change requests are redirected by the interface to a specialized change control, which implements methods for changing the contents of any field within the multi-field text string object. The specialized change control performs the change requested by the legacy display control on a current display field of the multi-field text string objects. The interface thus precludes the necessity of implementing specialized display control merely for displaying the contents of the multi-field text string object, permitting legacy controls to display the contents of a current display field. The interface may also be coupled to a grouping class allowing multiple controls—either specialized or legacy controls—to be influenced as one monolithic unit.