Abstract: A method of monitoring execution performance of a program is provided. A process identifier associated with a process within a program is determined, and a trace output file is created for the process such that the file name of the trace output file contains the process identifier. Trace records are generated in response to events within the process. The trace records associated with the process are then written to the trace output file associated with the process. Multiple processes may then be associated with unique trace output files simultaneously. Using this methodology, multiple instances of JVMs may be executing simultaneously, and each JVM may be generating trace records through a profiler. However, the origin of the trace records, as identified by the process identifier, or PID, of the JVM is used to place the trace information into a file that is identified through the use of the same PID.

Abstract: A method and system for profiling a program using periodic trace sampling is provided. During the execution of the program, sample-based profiling of the executing program is performed—for a predetermined period, a profiler performs trace processing for the program, after which the profiler pauses and does not perform trace processing for a predetermined period or only performs lightweight processing for a predetermined period. The periods controlling the profiler may be selected by a user, and the periods may be measured by temporal or non-temporal metrics. The user may also specify parameters that are used to filter events so that profiling is performed only for specified threads or methods. The profiler cycles through these periods, during which selected events are processed to generate a profile of the execution flows within the program.

Abstract: A method of monitoring transmissions across a network by recording a history of user-selected network transmission requests to a network client in a trace object, wherein the history of user-selected network transmission requests includes a trace of one or more network links, assigning a unique identifier to the trace object, and saving the trace object. In the embodiment wherein the network is the Internet, the method records a sequence of links to sites on the World Wide Web. A web browser can allow toggling between a logging mode and a non-logging mode, in order to start and stop recording of link traces. Multiple traces from different network sessions can thus be merged into a single link sequence which can thereafter be used to revisit a network link contained in the history of network transmissions. Different link sequences can be combined to form procedures. Supervisors (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is related to “trace” and debugging capability in the operation of the Java programming utility. It represents a means to execute a program in such a way that the sequence of statements being executed can be observed. It is related to “debugger”, which is a program designed to aid in debugging another program by allowing the programmer to step through the program, examine the data and monitor conditions, such as the values of the variables, and correct the problem.

Abstract: Cause and effect event objects are created in response to conditions occurring in a system. The object space may be contained on a single system or may span across several systems connected with a computer network. As system events change, a correlation circuit may be changed or removed as a result. Individual objects may not be properly removed from the object space and may be orphaned from their correlation circuits. A orphan handler identifies objects that may be potential orphan objects based on factors. Factors may include the amount of time the object exists in the object space and whether the object is not currently correlated with other objects in the object space. When an orphaned object is identified, it can be automatically removed from the object space. Orphaned objects can be viewed by system administrators to determine whether the object exists in response to a particular system event.

Abstract: A program is profiled with enablement of trace record generation during a first period of time and with disablement of trace record generation during a second period of time. The number of trace records output during the first period of time is determined, and a trace overhead calibration value is computed as an average time for writing the number of trace records output during the first period of time. The trace overhead calibration value may be stored for subsequent use in a profiling-related process in the data processing system. The trace overhead compensation value represents the amount of time required to generate a trace record, and the trace times retrieved from the trace records are adjusted to compensate for the amount of time required to generate those trace records.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring execution performance of a program is provided. Profiling functionality may be qualified by setting various qualifying flags at the request of a user. These qualifying flags may be used to limit the amount of trace data being generated or processed, thereby providing a more focused picture of an application's execution to the user. One or more trace,qualifying conditions are selectable by a user and are used during a profiling phase of application execution or during a post-processing phase of analyzing the application execution. During a profiling phase, an occurrence of a selected event or a timer interrupt is detected, and a determination is made as to whether a trace qualifying condition has been previously selected. In response to a determination that a trace qualifying condition has been selected, a trace record is then generated.

Abstract: There is provided a user friendly display interface system for the interactive handling and sorting out of windows in complex window hierarchical graphical user interfaces. The system provides for the storage of a hierarchy of windows which are displayable to overlap each other in a selected order whereby a plurality of said windows are partially visible. Apparatus is provided for displaying on a display screen a plurality of these partially overlapping windows. A different audio identifier is provided and stored for each of these windows. Further apparatus is provided for moving around and positioning a pointing device, such as a cursor on the display screen, in combination with means responsive to the pointing device for announcing the audio identifier for each window which said pointing device enters. The pointing device may be a user controlled cursor, a stylus or even a finger in touch sensitive display systems. The audio identifier may conveniently be the name in the title bar of the window.

Abstract: A user may specify a vector of metrics to be used while profiling a program. The vector of metrics may optionally be thread-relative. In response to a notification of an occurrence of the current event, a thread-relative elapsed metric is computed by: determining a current thread; retrieving a stored reference metric for the preceding event of the current thread; obtaining a current reference metric; and computing the thread-relative elapsed metric as a difference between the current reference metric and the stored reference metric. In order to prevent the generation of redundant metric information, the information associated with the vector of metrics maybe placed into the trace records in several different space-saving formats.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which a browser application animates web page construction. The animated construction involves the browser associating each web object with an animated mover character. The web object and animated mover character are moved from outside a boundary area of the web page to its programmed location within the web page wherein the movement simulates that the animated mover character is building the web page. The browser processes all of the web objects to display the entire web page with all of the web objects.

Abstract: A data processor controlled user interactive display system for displaying hypertext documents, each including a sequence of display screen pages received at a receiving display station from a communications network such as the World Wide Web. Automatic sizing of the cache for received pages at the receiving display station is provided. This cache includes portions of the station's disk storage means and random access memory means for storing data representative of received screen pages. The size of the portions of disk storage and random access storage means needed for the cache are determined by prior monitoring of the quantities of disk storage and of random access memory used in said cache during prior transmission of screen pages to said receiving display station. The size of portions of disk storage and random access memory allocated to the present cache are based upon said prior monitoring. These sizing functions are most effectively included in a network interactive browser.

Abstract: A process for maintaining authentication information in a distributed network of servers generates and maintains a non-local access server list, queries non-local servers using a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) search request, caches responses to queries from non-local servers, updates the cached directory entries and applies an LDAP operation to the cached directory entries and the local access control data. A variety of techniques are used to update cache information. When a request to authenticate a user with a distinguished name is received, the cached directory entries and the local access control data are searched for the distinguished name and, once the distinguished name is located, the user is authenticated with each server in the non-local access server list.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cataloging symbolic data for use in performance analysis of computer programs is provided. The apparatus and method stores symbolic data for loaded modules during or shortly after a performance trace and utilizes the stored symbolic data when performing a performance analysis at a later time. A merged symbol file is generated for a computer program, or application, under trace. The merged symbol file contains information useful in performing symbolic resolution of address information in trace files for each instance of a module. During post processing of the trace information generated by a performance trace of a computer program, symbolic information stored in the merged symbol file is compared to the trace information stored in the trace file. The correct symbolic information in the merged symbol file for loaded modules is identified based a number of validating criteria.

Abstract: A method of monitoring data distribution progress in a computer network including a Distribution Manager and an end-user terminal communicating with the Distribution Manager through at least one node in the network. The Distribution Manager generates an identifier associated with the distribution along with a routing to the end-user terminal through the network. The Distribution Manager updates a Distribution State Table, maintaining information describing the progress of the distribution, and a Node State Table, maintaining information describing the status of the node in the network. The distribution data is then sent to the end-user terminal via the selected routing. Data are collected at the node from the end-user terminal describing the status of the end-user terminal and those data are transferred to the Distribution Manager. The Distribution Manager updates the distribution State and Node State Tables with the data received from the Node.

Abstract: Selective filtering of an incoming telephone call is provided wherein a caller ID information of a third party wishing to converse with a first party already engaged in conversation with a second party is retrieved. The priority level associated with the third party is then determined and compared to a priority level associated with the second party. In the event that the third party has a higher priority level than the second party, the first party is alerted to the occurrence of the incoming call. Alternatively, if the third party has a lower priority level than the second party, the incoming call to an alternate destination.

Abstract: A Java applet sandbox, provided by restrictions originally set by the manufacturer of a Java enabled Internet browser, may be securely extended by introducing the notion of public and private client storage. In addition to the sandbox, users are given means of declaring a portion of the user machine's disk space as Public. The public disk space is accessible to executing applets and is installed in addition to the standard sandbox. The modality of access may be defined with various levels of restriction by the user within the security manager. Restriction levels of the Public space may range from clearing (from the Public space) any data left after the applet has terminated, to allowing an executable applet to be moved into the private area on the user's disk drive.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a notification for a third party when a traveler is overdue at one or more waypoints. A traveler or other person specifies waypoints the traveler will pass during a trip. In response to the traveler beginning the trip, a latest arrival time is determined for the first waypoint. If the traveler has not arrived at a waypoint by the determined latest arrival time, a notification is generated for a third party. Conversely, if the traveler reaches the waypoint before the determined latest arrival time, no notification is generated. In either case, if there are remaining waypoints, a latest arrival time is determined for the next waypoint and the process continues.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cataloging symbolic data for use in performance analysis of computer programs is provided. The apparatus and method stores symbolic data for loaded modules during or shortly after a performance trace and utilizes the stored symbolic data when performing a performance analysis at a later time. A merged symbol file is generated for a computer program, or application, under trace. The merged symbol file contains information useful in performing symbolic resolution of address information in trace files for each instance of a module. During post processing of the trace information generated by a performance trace of a computer program, symbolic information stored in the merged symbol file is compared to the trace information stored in the trace file. The correct symbolic information in the merged symbol file for loaded modules is identified based on a number of validating criteria.

Abstract: A method, system and program for determining a test case selection for a software application. Multiple risk values are assigned to each of the test cases of a software application, wherein the multiple risk values represent multiple types of risks associated with the software application not performing each function. An acceptable level of risk is designated. Only a subset of the test cases of the software are selected to test, wherein the subset comprises the test cases assigned risk values that exceed the acceptable level of risk, such that a risk-based test case selection for the software application is determined.

Abstract: A method for limiting access to the proprietary resources of an outsourcer or distributor to the participants/operators having assigned outsourced activities requiring such resources. Access is limited only to the assigned activity execution and prevented from misuse of the resources for unauthorized purposes. Reliable tracking of the lent out resources is provided and access is terminated simply when the associated activity has been completed.