Method and apparatus for enhanced connectors and connection manager

A connector object supports bi-directional connections such that an instance of the connector object may behave as both a socket connector and as a plug connector. A first shape object and a second shape object having a first connector object and second connector object respectively that are instances of the same connector object are displayed on a display device. The first connector object is coupled to the second connector object wherein the first connector object and the second connector object behave both as sockets and plugs. An external connection manager resolves connections. The manager determines: (1) if shape connections should be resolved; and (2) one or more socket connector objects and plug connector objects that need to be updated from one or more other shapes coupled to the determined socket connector objects. Thereafter, the manager recursively updates each determined plug connector object.