JPH10320436A - Computer Hierarchical Structure Creation Support Device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To set a combination of parts to be incorporated in each hierarchical element of a computer. SOLUTION: A name table 8 for recording names and identification codes of respective parts in a plurality of parts having a function for each hierarchical element, and a relation between parts which are hierarchically adjacent and can be connected to each other are stored. An adjacent layer element correspondence table 9, a combination layer table 10 for registering a combination of each part to be incorporated in each layer element, an input device 6 in which a GUI is incorporated, and a part of each layer element are sequentially registered in the combination layer table. Finally, the combination registering means 12 for setting in the combination hierarchy table whether the combination of the registered parts is possible is the same as the search means 13 for searching the combination hierarchy table during the search operation for the created combinations. When the combination is searched, the combination availability output means 14 reads and outputs the availability of the combination set for the combination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication hardware for a computer incorporated in a network.
The present invention relates to a computer hierarchical structure creation support device that incorporates components having the functions of each hierarchical element into a plurality of hierarchical elements such as S (operating system), middleware, and front end.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many computers are incorporated in a network such as a LAN (local area network). For example, in the network shown in FIG. 17, one server computer 2
And a plurality of client computers 3 are connected. In such a case, considering only the relationship between the server computer 2 and the client computer 3,
It can be considered as a kind of client / server system.

The computers 2 and 3 can smoothly exchange information with each other, and in order to smoothly execute the tasks individually given to the computers 2 and 3, the computers 2 and 3 have business-use information. In addition to the application, a plurality of hierarchical elements such as communication hardware, OS, middleware, and front end are hierarchically incorporated.

[0004] For example, a network card 4 is installed in a server computer 2 from a lower layer near the transmission path 1.
a, a plurality of hierarchical elements such as a network card driver 4b, a communication protocol 4c, a server OS 4c, middleware 4e, and a database system 4f.

Similarly, in the client computer 3, a network card 5 is provided from a lower layer near the transmission line 1.
a, network card driver 5b, communication protocol 5c, client OS 5c, network software 5
A plurality of hierarchical elements such as d, middleware 5f, and GUI front end 5g are incorporated.

[0006] Each of these hierarchical elements 4a to 4f.
5a-5g, network cards 4a, 5a and network card driver 4b,
Each component of 5b is configured by hardware. On the other hand, each component far from the transmission path 1 in the upper layer from the communication protocols 4c and 5d is configured by software.

When designing each of the computers 2 and 3 incorporated in such a network, each of the hierarchical elements 4a to 4f. It is necessary to incorporate components (modules) including hardware and software having the function of the corresponding hierarchical element into 5a to 5g.

However, as components having the function of each hierarchical element, various components having basically the same function are sold by many manufacturers. For example, as OSs, a large number of OSs having substantially the same functions, each of which has a unique name, have been released from each manufacturer. Furthermore, the top G
In the UI front end, more than 20 types of components (soft modules) are sold to support higher-level applications.

Therefore, basically any component can be incorporated into each hierarchical element as long as it can exhibit the function of each hierarchical element. However, each hierarchical element does not execute processing independently. It is necessary to execute processing while exchanging information with hierarchical elements that are hierarchically adjacent to each other. Therefore, when parts are incorporated in each hierarchical element, the combination between the parts incorporated in each hierarchical element has an important meaning.

[0010] For example, when the manufacturers of the components incorporated in the hierarchically adjacent hierarchical elements are different, the transmission of information between the two may not proceed smoothly. Therefore, the designers of the computers 2 and 3 need to pay close attention to the connectivity with the components of other layers when incorporating each component into each hierarchical element. Furthermore, even if the components of adjacent hierarchical elements are consistent, the components of the hierarchical elements separated by two or more layers may not be consistent.

[0011]

As described above, the designers of the computers 2 and 3 need to know the types of the computer hardware, the GUI front end, the data pace system,
When determining the combination of components of each hierarchical element such as network software and middleware, the combination has been individually verified for each computer to determine the optimal combination.

However, at the time of this combination verification, even if an attempt is made to refer to a computer constructed with a combination of similar parts in the past, the number of combinations of parts is enormous, and a great deal of research is required for the computer constructed in the past. It requires effort and time. As a result, it has been difficult to refer to a combination of components in a computer that has been built and is operating normally in the past.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when a computer is operated by assembling and assembling each component even once for each hierarchical element of the computer, the combination and its combination In the case where a component is newly incorporated in each hierarchical element, the availability of a newly created combination can be easily determined, and the efficiency of incorporating the optimal component into each hierarchical element can be greatly reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer hierarchical structure creation support device that can be improved.

[0014]

According to the present invention, a plurality of hierarchical elements, such as communication hardware, an OS, middleware, and a front end, are included in a computer incorporated in a network so as to execute communication and business processing. Is a computer hierarchical structure creation support device that incorporates components having the functions of each hierarchical element.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, the name of each component and the identification code assigned to each component in a plurality of components having the function of the corresponding hierarchical element are provided for each hierarchical element. A name table to be recorded, an adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table for storing a relationship between components that are hierarchically adjacent and connectable to each other, and a combination hierarchical table for registering a combination of each component incorporated in each hierarchical element of the computer When one hierarchical element is designated via the GUI of the input device during the registration operation for the input device incorporating the GUI (graphical user interface) and the combination hierarchical table, the name table is changed to the corresponding hierarchical element. Reads and displays the name of each part to which it belongs,
When one name is selected, each component of an adjacent hierarchical element that can be connected to the component of this name is read from the adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table and displayed, and the component of the next hierarchical element is selected. A combination registration means for sequentially registering the components of each selected hierarchical element in the combination hierarchy table, and finally setting in the combination hierarchy table whether or not each registered component can be combined, and a search for the created combinations When a part of each hierarchical element is selected and set via the GUI of the input device during business, a search means for searching a combination hierarchy table with a combination of the selected and set parts, and the same combination by the search means A combination availability output means is provided for reading and outputting the availability of the combination set for the combination when the search is performed.

The features of the hierarchical structure creation support apparatus for a computer configured as described above will be described. In general, a part is incorporated into each hierarchical element of a computer and actually operated, and it is checked whether or not the computer operates normally with the combination of the parts. In the support apparatus, the combination of the parts and the propriety of the combination are stored and held in the combination hierarchy table each time.

Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether a combination of components to be incorporated in each newly created hierarchical element can be determined by searching the combination hierarchical table. The name table stores the names of the components and the identification codes assigned to the components in a plurality of components having the function of the corresponding hierarchical element for each hierarchical element. The adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table stores the hierarchical codes. The relationship between components adjacent to each other and connectable to each other is stored. Therefore, when each component is incorporated into each hierarchical element, candidate parts to be incorporated into the next hierarchical element can be easily obtained from each table, and selection of the next component is facilitated. Therefore, the operability of the component combination operation for each hierarchical element is improved.

In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for supporting the creation of a hierarchical structure of a computer according to the above invention further comprises:
When the readability of the combination indicates that the combination is possible, the combination availability output unit adds a hierarchical structure diagram creation unit that creates a hierarchical structure diagram that incorporates the name of each component of the retrieved combination and prints it out.

With this configuration, the hierarchical structure diagram for the combination created by the operator is automatically printed out. Furthermore, in another invention, the name and identification code of each component that designates a hierarchical element operated and input via an input device are further added to the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer according to the above invention. And an initial correspondence table registering means for registering a pair of parts in the name table specified via the input device into the adjacent component correspondence table.

In the computer hierarchical structure creation support apparatus configured as described above, the computer designer or the operator of the computer releases, for example, a part which a hardware maker or a software maker can incorporate into each hierarchical element. When developed, this part can be easily registered in the name table and the adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table via the input device.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a computer hierarchical structure creation support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This computer hierarchical structure creation support device is constituted by a kind of information processing device such as a computer.

The hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer is roughly divided into an input device 6 incorporating a GUI, an input / output terminal such as a printer 7, a name table 8 formed in an HDD, for example, A storage unit such as a table 9, a combination hierarchy table 10, etc., an initial registration processing unit 11, a combination registration processing unit 12, a search processing unit 13, and a combination availability output unit 1 formed on an application program
5, a plurality of program modules such as a hierarchical structure diagram print preview unit 15 and the like.

In the following description, the case where each component is incorporated into each of the hierarchical elements 4a4f, 5a to 5g of each of the computers 2 and 3 incorporated in the network shown in FIG. The description is made assuming that

In the name table 8, for each hierarchical element of the computers 2 and 3, the name of each component in a plurality of components having the function of the corresponding hierarchical element and the identification code assigned to each component are registered. . As shown in FIG. 2, a dedicated name table 8a is formed in the name table 8 for each hierarchical element described above. In this embodiment, a total of nine name tables 8a are formed by combining the hierarchical elements duplicated between the computers 2 and 3 in the hierarchical elements 4a to 4f and 5a to 5g into one. Specifically, the following name table 8a is formed.

GUI Front End Name Table Middleware Name Table Network Software Name Table Client OS Name Table Communication Protocol Name Table Network Card Driver Name Table Network Card Name Table Database System Name Table Server OS Name Table FIG. Client
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing storage contents of a name table 8a of a GUI front end 5b, which is a hierarchy element of the highest hierarchy of the computer 3. This GUI front end name table 8a
In the table, the names of a total of 17 parts with different identification codes (ID numbers) are registered. The name of each component is a product name given by a manufacturer that develops and sells the corresponding component (soft module).

FIG. 4 shows the name table 8 of the middleware 4e, 5f which is the second layer element from the highest layer of each of the computers 2, 3 formed in the name table 8.
It is a figure showing the storage content of a. In the middleware name table 8a, names of a total of four components (software modules) each having an identification code (ID number) are registered.

In the adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table 9, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the relationship between components that are hierarchically adjacent and can be connected to each other is registered. Specifically, eleven correspondence tables 9a shown below are formed.

GUI front end / middleware correspondence table middleware / network software correspondence table network software / OS correspondence table OS / communication protocol correspondence table communication protocol / network card driver correspondence table network card driver / network card correspondence table DB (database) system / Middleware correspondence table Middleware / server OS correspondence table Server OS / communication protocol correspondence table Server communication protocol / network card driver correspondence table Server network card driver / network card correspondence table For example, in the first GUI front end / middleware correspondence table 9a, As shown in Fig. 6, the GUI front end name shown in Fig. 3 For each of the 17 individual codes [001] to [017] of each name of each component in the table 8a, [001] to [004] of the middleware name table 8a shown in FIG. ] Are associated with each other. That is. In the correspondence table 9a, if only the relationship between the GUI front end 5g and the middleware 5f is limited, it can be shown that the components can be connected in any combination.

FIG. 12 shows the setting contents of the GUI front end / middleware correspondence table 9a, the GUI front end name table 8a and the middleware name table 8a.
The relationship is shown below.

In the combination hierarchy table 10, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of areas 10a are formed, each of which has an area number for storing a combination of components to be incorporated in each hierarchical element of the computers 2 and 3. And each area 10
In “a”, the identification code of each component for each hierarchical element specified by the operator via the input device 6 having the GUI is sequentially recorded. In the vicinity of the final position of each area 10a, a possible / impossible flag 16 for the combination indicating whether or not the computer 2.3 operates normally when the computer 2.3 is actually operated with the combination of the components is set. I have. And
When the possible / impossible flag 16 is [1], combination is possible,
In the case of [2], combination is not possible. Further, each region 10
A comment 17 that is input by the operator as needed is added to the last position of “a”.

The initial registration processing unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 stores the name and identification code of each component of each component input by the operator via the input device 6 for the corresponding component in the name table 8 in FIG. Register in the name table 8a.

Further, the initial registration processing unit 11 stores identification codes of a pair of parts in each name table 8a corresponding to a pair of hierarchical elements adjacent in the hierarchical direction, which are input by the operator via the input device 6. It is set in each correspondence table 9a of the adjacent layer element correspondence table 9.

The combination registration processing unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 stores a combination of each component to be incorporated in each hierarchical element of each of the computers 2 and 3 inputted through the input device 6 in an empty combination hierarchy table 10 shown in FIG. In addition to the registration in the area 10a, the permission flag 16 and the comment 17 are registered in the area 10a.

Further, the search processing unit 13 determines whether or not the combination of each component to be incorporated in each hierarchical element of each of the computers 2 and 3 input via the input device 6 is already registered in the combination hierarchy table 10. If it is registered, it is searched whether this combination can be incorporated in the computers 2 and 3. Then, the availability is output to the display screen of the input device 6 via the combination availability output unit 14.

Further, when the combination is possible, the search processing unit 13 creates a hierarchical structure diagram 26 shown in FIG. Further, the hierarchical structure diagram print preview unit 15 displays and outputs the created hierarchical structure diagram 26 to the input device 6.

Then, the combination registration processing unit 12 and the search processing unit 13 execute the registration processing and the search processing for the combination created according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In S1, G
A main menu 18 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display screen of the input device 6 having the UI. In this main menu 18, when a registration operation is designated by, for example, a mouse, S2
, A registration screen 19 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Then, a registration process for the combination hierarchy table 10 is executed in S3.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a registration operation procedure performed by the operator using the input device 6 having a GUI. In this case, a case is shown in which the client computer 3 is registered first and the server computer 2 is registered later.

At P1, the GUI front end designation button on the registration screen 19 is clicked with a mouse, and then the clearing operation is performed on the part name area 20 and the comment area 21 of all hierarchical elements on the client side (P2). .
Then, a list of all the names registered in the GUI float end name table 8a of the name table 8 is displayed and output (P3). Then, one component name is selected from the displayed name list by mouse operation, and It is set in the GUI front-end area 20 of the registration screen 19 (P4). Then, a list of middleware names corresponding to the previously set GUI float end is displayed from the GUI front end / middleware correspondence table 9a of the adjacent layer element correspondence table 9 (P5). Then, the operator clicks one middleware with the mouse and sets the middleware area 20 on the registration screen 19 (P6).

FIG. 13A shows that a name of one selected GUI front end in the GUI front end name table 8a can be connected to the GUI front end of the corresponding name in the GUI front end / middleware correspondence table 9a. It is a figure which shows the procedure in the case of reading each middleware name from the middleware name table 8a and displaying, and selecting one middleware there. In this case, there are three connectable middlewares, and the operator may select one of the three displayed middlewares.

FIG. 13A shows the case where one middleware is selected from the GUI front end side. However, when one GUI front end is selected from the middleware side, the procedure shown in FIG. 13B is used. carry out.

Next, at P7 in FIG. 9, a list of network software names corresponding to the previously set middleware is displayed from the middleware / network software correspondence table 9a of the adjacent layer element correspondence table 9. Then, the operator clicks one network software with a mouse and clicks the area 2 of the network software on the registration screen 19.
It is set to 0 (P8).

Next, a list of OS names corresponding to the previously set network software is displayed from the network software / OS correspondence table 9a of the adjacent layer element correspondence table 9 (P9).

In this way, the operator can enter the registration screen 19
, The names of the parts to be incorporated in the respective hierarchical elements are sequentially set in the respective areas 20. Then, when a name is set in the area 20 of the lowermost network card in P10, P1 is set.
At 1, the server computer 2 on the registration screen 19
By clicking the selection button of the database system in the above with a mouse, the operation of setting the name of each component incorporated in each component of the server computer 2 is started.

Then, when a name is set in the area 20 of the lowermost network card at P17 in FIG. 10, a comment for the corresponding combination is input to the comment area 21 (P18). Next, the user clicks on the permission / inhibition button for the combination of the parts input this time, and sets any one of them (P19).

Whether the combination of the components input this time is possible or impossible is determined by incorporating the components of the combination into actual computers 2 and 3 and
3 is actually operated.

When the setting process for all the items on the registration screen 19 is completed (P21), the combination hierarchy table 10 is searched for this combination (P22). If the same combination has not been registered yet (P23), the registration is performed. The combination comment and the permission / inhibition flag set on the screen 19 are set in the empty area 10a of the combination hierarchy table 10 (P24).

If the same combination has already been registered in the combination hierarchy table 10 (P23), the registered message is displayed and output on the input device 6 (P25). When a search operation is selected in the main menu 18 shown in FIG. 11 in S1 of FIG. 8, a search screen 23 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed in S4 (S4). Then, a search process is executed in S5. The operation procedure in which the operator sequentially sets the names of the components to be incorporated in each hierarchical element in this search processing is the same as the operation procedure at the time of the registration operation described earlier with reference to FIGS. Detailed description is omitted.

If the combination of the parts to be incorporated in each hierarchical element input by the operator in S6 is not registered in the combination hierarchy table 10, an unregistered message is displayed and output (S7).

If the corresponding combination is registered in the combination hierarchy table 10 (S6), the area 10
A check is made to see if the flag 16 is available (S8). If the possible / impossible flag 16 is [2], a message indicating that the combination is impossible is displayed and output (S9). If the possible / impossible flag 16 is [1], a message indicating that the combination is possible is displayed and output (S10).

When the print button 24 or the print preview button 25 on the search screen 23 shown in FIG. 15 is pressed in S4, the combination of the parts to be incorporated in each hierarchical element set in each area 20 of the search screen 23 at present. Then, the combination hierarchy table 10 is searched (S11).

If the corresponding combination is not registered in the combination hierarchy table 10 in S12, an unregistered message is displayed and output (S13). If the corresponding combination is registered in the combination hierarchy table 10, the permission / inhibition flag 16 in the area 10a of the corresponding combination is checked (S1).
4). If the possible / impossible flag 16 is [2], a message indicating that the combination is impossible is displayed and output (S15). If the possible / impossible flag 16 is [1], a hierarchical structure diagram 26 shown in FIG. 16 incorporating the names of the components of the combination is created and printed out by the printer 7 (S16). Further, the created hierarchical structure diagram 26 is displayed and output to the input device 6 via the hierarchical structure diagram print preview processing section 15 (S17).

In the computer hierarchical structure creation support apparatus configured as described above, the designers of the computers 2 and 3 insert components into each hierarchical element of the computers 2 and 3 and actually implement the computers 2 and 3. Is operated to check whether the computer 2.3 operates normally with the combination of the parts. Then, the combination of the parts and the propriety of the combination are registered in the area 10a of the combination hierarchy table 10 in the computer hierarchical structure creation support device of the present invention.

Therefore, the designers of the computers 2 and 3 determine whether or not the combination of the components to be incorporated in each newly created hierarchical element can be performed without assembling the components into the actual computers 2 and 3 and operating them. Can be easily determined. Therefore, the operability in incorporating each component into each hierarchical element is improved.

The name table 8 stores, for each hierarchical element in the computers 2 and 3, the name of each component in a plurality of components having the function of the corresponding hierarchical element and the identification code assigned to each component. . Further, in each correspondence table 9a of the adjacent hierarchy element correspondence table 9, a relationship between components that are hierarchically adjacent and can be connected to each other is stored.

Therefore, the operator operates the GUI of the input device 6.
When the components of each hierarchical element are incorporated by using, the candidate of the component to be incorporated in the hierarchical element of the next hierarchy can be displayed. Therefore, the operability when the operator incorporates each component into each hierarchical element is improved.

Further, by activating the initial setting processing unit 11, even when a component of each hierarchical element is newly sold or developed, the new component can be easily stored in the name table 8 and the adjacent hierarchical element table 9. It is possible to register. Further, if necessary, a hierarchical structure diagram 26 shown in FIG. 16 incorporating the names of the components of the searched combination can be created and printed out.

[0057]

As described above, in the computer hierarchical structure creation support apparatus of the present invention, when each component to be incorporated in each hierarchical element in the computer is operated at least once in combination, the combination and the combination of the combination are used. The availability is stored in the combination hierarchy table.

Therefore, when parts are newly incorporated into each hierarchical element of the computer, the propriety of the newly created combination can be easily determined, and the work efficiency of incorporating the optimal parts into each hierarchical element can be greatly improved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer hierarchical structure creation support device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the entire storage contents of a name table in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing detailed storage contents of a GUI front-end name table in the same name table;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing detailed storage contents of a middleware name table in the same name table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the entire storage contents of a name table of an adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 6 shows a GUI in the adjacent layer element correspondence table.
Diagram showing detailed storage contents of front end / middleware correspondence table

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing storage contents of a combination hierarchical table in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a registration processing operation in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a registration processing operation in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view showing a main menu displayed on an input device of the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between an adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table and a name table in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between an adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table and a name table in the hierarchical structure creation support device of the same computer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a registration screen displayed on the input device of the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a search screen displayed on the input device of the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 16 is a hierarchical structure diagram printed by a printer of the hierarchical structure creation support device of the computer.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing hierarchical elements in a general computer incorporated in a network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission line 2 ... Server computer 3 ... Client computer 6 ... Input device 7 ... Printer 8.8a ... Name table 9 ... Adjacent hierarchy element correspondence table 9a ... Correspondence table 10 ... Combination hierarchy table 10a ... Area 11 ... Initial registration Unit 12: Combination registration processing unit 13: Search processing unit 14: Combination availability output unit 15 ... Hierarchical structure diagram print preview unit 16 ... Availability flag 17 ... Comment 18 ... Main menu 19 ... Registration screen 20 ... Area 21 ... Comment area 23 ... Search screen 24 ... Print button 25 ... Print preview button 26 ... Hierarchical structure diagram

Claims (3)

[Claims] A computer incorporated in a network executes communication hardware, an OS, middleware, and the like in the computer to execute communication and business processing.
A hierarchical structure creation support device for a computer that incorporates a component having a function of each hierarchical element into a plurality of hierarchical elements such as a front end, wherein each component in a plurality of components having a function of a corresponding hierarchical element is provided for each hierarchical element. Name table that records the name of each component and an identification code assigned to each component; an adjacent hierarchy element correspondence table that stores the relationship between components that are hierarchically adjacent and connectable to each other; and each hierarchy of the computer. A combination hierarchy table for registering a combination of components to be incorporated into the element, an input device incorporating a GUI (graphical user interface), and a registration operation for the combination hierarchy table, via a GUI of the input device during a registration operation. When one hierarchical element is specified, the name of each part belonging to the corresponding hierarchical element is When one name is selected, each component of a hierarchical element of an adjacent hierarchy connectable to the component of this name is read out from the adjacent hierarchical element correspondence table and displayed, and the next hierarchical element is displayed. Combination registration means for selecting parts, sequentially registering the selected parts of each hierarchical element in the combination hierarchy table, and finally setting whether or not the combination of the registered parts is possible in the combination hierarchy table. When a component of each hierarchical element is selected and set via the GUI of the input device during a search operation for the created combination, a search means for searching the combination hierarchy table with the selected combination of the components. And a combination availability output means for reading and outputting the availability of the combination set for the combination when the same combination is searched by the search means. Layer structure creation support apparatus. 2. A hierarchical structure diagram for creating and printing out a hierarchical structure diagram incorporating the name of each component of the retrieved combination when the combination availability read by the combination availability output means indicates that combination is possible. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means. 3. An initial name table registering means for registering a name and an identification code of each component designating a hierarchical element input and operated via the input device in a name table corresponding to the hierarchical element. 3. A computer hierarchical structure creation support according to claim 1, further comprising: an initial correspondence table registering means for registering a pair of parts in the name table specified through the above into the adjacent component correspondence table. apparatus.