Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating methods or attributes on a per-instance basis is provided. One technique for providing “per-instance attributes” involves properties and property bundles. A second technique for providing “per-instance attributes” involves categories wherein the instance can be thought of as being “placed” into one or more categories. A technique for providing “per-instance methods” involves policies. In any of these techniques, providing per-instance properties may be used in any of the following ways: (1) different instances of the same class are associated with different properties where the properties are not in the class; and (2) two instances of two different classes are associated with the same property where the property is not in either of the two classes.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating methods or attributes on a per-instance basis is provided. One technique for providing “per-instance attributes” involves properties and property bundles. A second technique for providing “per-instance attributes” involves categories wherein the instance can be thought of as being “placed” into one or more categories. A technique for providing “per-instance methods” involves policies. In any of these techniques, providing per-instance properties may be used in any of the following ways: (1) different instances of the same class are associated with different properties where the properties are not in the class; and (2) two instances of two different classes are associated with the same property where the property is not in either of the two classes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating methods or attributes on a per-instance basis is provided. One technique for providing “per-instance attributes” involves properties and property bundles. A second technique for providing “per-instance attributes” involves categories wherein the instance can be thought of as being “placed” into one or more categories. A technique for providing “per-instance methods” involves policies. In any of these techniques, providing per-instance properties may be used in any of the following ways: (1) different instances of the same class are associated with different properties where the properties are not in the class; and (2) two instances of two different classes are associated with the same property where the property is not in either of the two classes.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing operations in an electronic file system as nested transactions. According to one aspect of the invention, a command to perform one or more file system operations is received. In response to the command, a plurality of operations, including the one or more file system operations, are performed. Performing the plurality of operations includes: (1) performing a first subset of the plurality of operations as part of a first transaction; and (2) performing a second subset of the plurality of operations as part of a second transaction that is nested in the first transaction.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing transaction-aware caching of metadata in an electronic file system. A mechanism is described for providing transaction-aware caching that uses a cache hierarchy, where the cache hierarchy includes uncommitted caches associated with sessions in an application and a committed cache that is shared among the sessions in that application. Techniques are described for caching document metadata, access control metadata and folder path metadata. Also described is a technique for using negative cache entries to avoid unnecessary communications with a server when applications repeatedly request non-existent data.