Abstract: A method and system are described in a data processing system including a database for efficiently retrieving copies of data rows from the database. Query criteria is received by a server from a client which specifies search criteria describing data rows and which requests a particular number of the data rows to return. Each of the data rows is associated with a unique primary key which uniquely identifies a particular data object. The primary key for each of the data rows meeting the specified criteria is first retrieved from the database by the server. Thereafter, copies of only the particular number of the data rows are retrieved from the database using the primary keys. Copies of only the particular number of data rows are then returned to the requesting client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a distributed data processing system for controlling printing. An interface is presented, wherein the interface allows for association of a logical font with a number of system fonts on a per printer queue basis. Responsive to a print request, the print request is printed using the system font associated with the logical font for that print request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a metadata stream. Calls are received calls from an application, wherein the calls are received calls. The current application attributes in the received calls are tracked. The received calls are monitored for a new page call. When a new page call is identified in the received calls, the new page call is placed within the metadata stream to identify a new page in the metadata stream. Current application attributes are placed in the metadata stream within the new page identified by the new page call, wherein the new page within the metadata stream may be outputted/printed or reprocessed using the current application attributes located within new page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a metadata stream. An attribute call is received to set an attribute. In response, a first database is queried to determine whether the attribute call is present in the first database. The first database is updated in response to the attribute call being absent in the first database. In response to receiving a primitive call, an attribute call associated with the primitive is retrieved from the first database. A determination is made as to whether the attribute call associated with the primitive is present in a second database. The second database is; updated to include the attribute call associated with the primitive call in response to the attribute call associated with the primitive call being absent in the second database. The attribute call associated with the primitive call and the primitive call is placed in the metadata stream.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively retaining object history using a series of snapshots from a database is claimed. Rules are established for a database file or table to determine snapshot triggers. When a rule is triggered by an event, a snapshot is taken of a predefined set of database data. The snapshot is stored in a separate data area, such as a database table. Snapshots are queried and analyzed to determine historical trends. In addition, snapshot data can be overlaid onto the current database data in order to view changes in the data and also to facilitate record rollback using the snapshot data. When a rollback is requested, the current database record is copied to a new snapshot record and one of the snapshot records is overlaid onto the current database record creating a new database record. A transaction log is also maintained to record details regarding snapshot processing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for accessing a client service in a data processing system. A pool of client services is managed by a server abstraction. A client service instance is assigned from the pool of client services in response to a request from a user application from a plurality of user applications. The user application request on the client service is invoked by the server abstraction. The result from the server service is returned to the user application by client service instance.

Abstract: A method and system are described in a data processing system including a database for efficiently retrieving copies of data rows from the database. Query criteria is received by a server from a client which specifies search criteria describing data rows and which requests a particular number of the data rows to return. Each of the data rows is associated with a unique primary key which uniquely identifies a particular data object. The primary key for each of the data rows meeting the specified criteria is first retrieved from the database by the server. Thereafter, copies of only the particular number of the data rows are retrieved from the database using the primary keys. Copies of only the particular number of data rows are then returned to the requesting client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a metadata stream. Calls are received calls from an application, wherein the calls are received calls. The current application attributes in the received calls are tracked. The received calls are monitored for a new page call. When a new page call is identified in the received calls, the new page call is placed within the metadata stream to identify a new page in the metadata stream. Current application attributes are placed in the metadata stream within the new page identified by the new page call, wherein the new page within the metadata stream may be printed using the current application attributes located within new page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a metadata stream. Calls are received calls from an application, wherein the calls are received calls. The current application attributes in the received calls are tracked. The received calls are monitored for a new page call. When a new page call is identified in the received calls, the new page call is placed within the metadata stream to identify a new page in the metadata stream. Current application attributes are placed in the metadata stream within the new page identified by the new page call, wherein the new page within the metadata stream may be outputted/printed or reprocessed using the current application attributes located within new page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a metadata stream. A request is received to render an object. A determination is made as to whether a device hint associated with the object is present. The object is placed in the metadata stream. The device hint is placed in the metadata stream, responsive to the device hint associated with the object being present. Then the device can take advantage of the hints without requiring it to preprocess the set of objects.

Abstract: The invention provide a method for optimal use of print resource during the preparation a print job for printing. During the creation of a spool file, or similar intermediate file, the invention logs data on print resource usage in a print job in an accounting file. Upon review of this data, it modifies the print resource usage data in the accounting file as necessary to optimize print resource usage. The spool file and the accounting file are then sent to a printer driver. The printer driver knows how to use the print resource data in the accounting file to optimize the print resource usage.