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Microsoft has a software patent for a "Task list window for use in an IDE"

I was reading Slashdot and saw a post about a patent Microsoft received for a Task List window in IDE(s). I’ve included the #, abstract, and the URL to the patent which was applied for on March 6, 2000.

United States Patent Number: 6,748,582
Chiles, et al. June 8, 2004

Title: Task list window for use in an integrated development environment

Abstract:

"A method, apparatus, and software are disclosed for assisting a software developer in managing tasks to be completed by providing a task list as a unified location for developers to locate errors and warnings in code, as well as specify user-defined tasks. The task list is updated in "real time" as the developer completes tasks and generates new tasks."

Patent URL

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 9th, 2004 at 2:28 am and is filed under Programming, Random Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Microsoft has a software patent for a "Task list window for use in an IDE"”

  1. Kyle Miller Says:
    June 21st, 2004 at 7:52 am

    This begs the question, "Can Microsoft patent a pre-existing idea?" Maybe they didn’t know Borland did this years ago. Maybe they figure the patent office wouldn’t know either.

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