Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is used for storing and delivering information over the Internet and using Internet technologies. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method and apparatus for maintaining statistics on a server is disclosed. According to an alternative embodiment, a method and apparatus is disclosed for predicting data that a client device may request from a server on a network. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method and apparatus is disclosed for managing bandwidth between a client device and a network. According to yet another embodiment, a method and apparatus is disclosed for validating a collection of data. According to yet another embodiment, a method for providing notification to clients from servers is disclosed.

Abstract: A communication interface for decoupling one software application from another software application such communications between applications are facilitated and applications may be developed in modularized fashion. The communication interface is comprised of two libraries of programs. One library manages self-describing forms which contain actual data to be exchanged as well as type information regarding data format and class definition that contain semantic information. Another library manages communications and includes a subject mapper to receive subscription requests regarding a particular subject and map them to particular communication disciplines and to particular services supplying this information. A number of communication disciplines also cooperate with the subject mapper or directly with client applications to manage communications with various other applications using the communication protocols used by those other applications.