Abstract: A memory control device, having a common synchronous interface coupled thereto, for accessing asynchronous memory devices, as well as other synchronous devices. The memory control device receives, via the synchronous interface, a command having a synchronous format, and translates at least a portion of the command from the synchronous format to an asynchronous format. The command in the asynchronous format is then used to access an asynchronous memory device. The asynchronous memory device can have one of various formats, each of which is supported by the memory control device. The memory control device emulates synchronous memory devices for the system memory controller coupled to the memory control device, even when asynchronous devices are accessed. The memory control device can also translate commands from one synchronous format to another synchronous format such that memory devices of the another synchronous format can be accessed.

Abstract: A data partitioning technique for use in sorting data records of a data file. A plurality of data records is retrieved from the file until a trigger condition is satisfied. For example, data is retrieved until a trigger field within the plurality of data records changes from one value to another value, or until a comparison of the trigger field, using a conditional operator, to a predetermined value is satisfied, or until the trigger field changes from one value to another value after a predetermined number of data records is retrieved. After the trigger condition is satisfied, one or more of the retrieved data records are sorted. The sorted records are then available for output prior to reaching the end of the file.

Abstract: A data partitioning technique for use in sorting data records of a data file. A plurality of data records is retrieved from the file until a trigger condition is satisfied. For example, data is retrieved until a trigger field within the plurality of data records changes from one value to another value, or until a comparison of the trigger field, using a conditional operator, to a predetermined value is satisfied, or until the trigger field changes from one value to another value after a predetermined number of data records is retrieved. After the trigger condition is satisfied, one or more of the retrieved data records are sorted. The sorted records are then available for output prior to reaching the end of the file.