Abstract: A method and system of providing external transaction protection for a database using the database log or journal. The method involves creating a set of transaction templates which define transactions, using the templates to determine whether each record or entry in the journal represent part of a transaction, and maintaining a set of index file indicating transactions in progress. Each transaction template contains a number of filenames identifying files in the database affected during the transaction defined by the template. Each template also contains a key value representing one or more data fields in the database included in every action performed during the transaction. For each entry in the journal, a determination is made whether the entry belongs to a transaction based on the data fields represented in the entry and the key values associated with the templates.

Abstract: A method of scanning and detecting format code changes is disclosed. The method is preferably utilized in a data processing system which includes a central processing unit, a random access memory, a bulk storage device, a display device and a printer. The method scans a document for format controls, detects a format control, retrieves information about the format characteristics in effect before and after that control, organizes that format characteristic information in a menu and displays that menu to the user. This method minimizes the amount of time spent editing format controls in a large document by fully informing the user of the underlying format characteristics associated with each format control.

Abstract: A text processing system is disclosed including an improved method for entering and displaying commands from a keyboard. Normal text being typed in is displayed at a sequentially advancing text cursor position. The user can press a command function-key on the keyboard, signifying that he desires to type in a command word. In response to this, the present position of the text cursor is saved and a command line window is displayed at a position proximate to the saved text cursor position on the display. Then, when a command word is typed in at the keyboard, it is displayed within this floating command line window. This enables the operator to continue to focus his attention in the central portion of the display where he was preparing his text, while entering and observing the display of his typed-in command. In this manner, the operator's attention is not interrupted by having to redirect his attention to either the upper extremity or the lower extremity of the display device.

Abstract: A multilingual processor is disclosed herein, for building screen images on the display screen and for decoding multilingual commands, in an information processing system. The information processing system includes an execution unit having a memory, a bulk storage and a workstation connected thereto, the workstation including a keyboard connected to a display screen for inputting command and working text information to the display screen. The multilingual processor includes a document library stored in the bulk storage device including a plurality of language documents and at least one user document. The language documents each characterize a selected language and include a displayable components portion and an executable components portion. A language document selector accesses a selected one of the plurality of language documents in response to a user language selection input from the keyboard specifying that commands and messages are to be in one of the selected languages.