Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting electronic components on a circuit board that minimize etch lines, minimize stub lengths, reduce the number of vias that are needed, and densely pack electronic components on the circuit board. According to system and method, electronic components are attached to the top planar surface of the circuit board such that adjacent components are rotated 180.degree. in the plane of the top planar surface. These adjacent electronic components also are offset from one another. The electronic components that are attached to the bottom planar surface of the circuit board also have adjacent electronic components rotated 180.degree. in the plane of the bottom planar surface, and are offset. The arrangement of the components disposed at the bottom planar surface is a mirror image of the components disposed at the top planar surface.

Abstract: The software error handling determines the nature of the fault and takes different action depending upon the nature of the fault. If the fault prevents the data processing system from continued reliable operation, then the element causing the fault is immediately disabled. Otherwise, the element which is the source of the fault is treated so that it does no harm to the system and causes no further faults. The element can then be completely handled during normal software status checks.

Abstract: A modeling system provides a display of a computer system's configuration along with selected system metrics. An operator can change the configuration by using the display and display commands. Metrics representative of the performance of the computer system would then be determined for the changed configuration, and could presented along with the display of the new system configuration.