Abstract: Methods and apparatus teach a digital spectrum of a file. The digital spectrum is used to map a file's position in a multi-dimensional space. This position relative to another file's position reveals distances between the files. Closest files can be grouped together. When contemplating voluminous numbers of files for digital spectrums, various methods include: concatenating all such files together to get a single key useful for creating a file's spectrum; or compressing files individually and combining their collective dictionaries into a single dictionary with or without the use of tree mechanisms that defines the digital spectrum. Each provides advantage over the other. The latter consumes considerably less run time because each compression event can be distributed to a separate processor. Method two provides better spectrums because it is more “informationally” valid than is method one.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus teach a digital spectrum of a file. The digital spectrum is used to map a file's position in a multi-dimensional space. This position relative to another file's position reveals distances between the files. Closest files can be grouped together. When contemplating voluminous numbers of files for digital spectrums, various methods include: concatenating all such files together to get a single key useful for creating a file's spectrum; or compressing files individually and combining their collective dictionaries into a single dictionary with or without the use of tree mechanisms that defines the digital spectrum. Each provides advantage over the other. The latter consumes considerably less run time because each compression event can be distributed to a separate processor. Method two provides better spectrums because it is more “informationally” valid than is method one.

Abstract: Two objects are identified. A relationship between the two objects is determined. A contract object is used to represent the relationship between the objects. The contract is useful in many applications: for example, file systems, relational databases, and spreadsheets. The contract can also have rules for processing events occurring to either of the objects related by the contract.

Abstract: Two objects are identified. A relationship between the two objects is determined. A contract object is used to represent the relationship between the objects. The contract is useful in many applications: for example, file systems, relational databases, and spreadsheets. The contract can also have rules for processing events occurring to either of the objects related by the contract.

Abstract: Two objects are identified. A relationship between the two objects is determined. A contract object is used to represent the relationship between the objects. The contract is useful in many applications: for example, file systems, relational databases, and spreadsheets. The contract can also have rules for processing events occurring to either of the objects related by the contract.

Abstract: Techniques for file system translation are provided. Access to a file of a first file system having a first format invokes a simultaneous access to a second file system in a second format. In an embodiment, a translation file system simultaneously maintains data on both a first file system and a second file system when accesses are made to the translation file system, the first file system, or the second file system.

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring a preferred sequence for accessing a plurality of objects. The system includes a doubly linked list which contains a reference to each agent of a child object which is to be accessed before the object of the agent having the doubly linked list can be accessed. Each agent also includes a singly linked list which refers to each agent of a parent object. The singly linked list is used to clean up structures indicating dependencies after the dependencies no longer exist, and to inform a waiting agent that a child object has been accessed.