Abstract: A Connection Server provides very flexible structures for the identification of objects to be interconnected, the identification of the links which connect them, and the auxiliary information needed to materialize objects when they are referenced. The connection Server is designed as a stand-alone reusable component. It interfaces with other independent components for services such as classification attributes, distributed database services, Noumena (object) storage, etc. Clean public programming interfaces are available for all components. It is independent from the "front-end", the user driven display of the Connections and associated meta-data. It is independent from any authoring facilities which may be used to customize the services, meta-data, etc., that are provided.

Abstract: A system employs communication messages in accordance with a determined protocol and includes a source node for producing messages in accordance with the protocol. Each message comprises at least a first level message structure with a unique tag value that identifies a class of message structures to which the first level message structure belongs. The unique tag value enables identification of a grammar template procedure that allows analysis of the first level message structure. A destination node receives the first level message structure and includes circuitry for determining the unique tag value. A memory in the destination node stores at addresses indicated by unique tag values, grammar template procedures for each class of first level message structures.