Abstract: A method to measure the performance of an Application Programming Interface (API) includes selecting a target API and tracking memory allocation for the functional calls of the selected API to generate a list of functions called by the API. The individual functions are then called within the API in isolation and timing and memory allocation data for each are collected and recorded. The recorded results are then bucketized according to a log base 2 method and made accessible by API users to indicate the performance of specific APIs.

Abstract: In accordance with a method and system for centralized network usage tracking, documents on a network server include a reference to content on a centralized logging server. When one of the documents is accessed by a client computer, the process of rendering the content at the client computer includes requesting the content from the logging server. The logging server, upon receipt of such a request, logs information embedded in the request and returns a trivial response which requires little time and which rendering of need not be perceivable by the user.

Abstract: Data associated with at least one module of code may be annotated in such a manner as to provide guidance regarding usage of the module.

Abstract: End-to-end guidance for managing performance and scalability throughout the application life cycle to reduce risk and lower total cost of ownership is provided. In one aspect, the novel innovation provides a framework that organizes performance into prioritized categories where choices can impact performance and scalability success. The logical units of the framework can help integrate performance throughout the application life cycle. The information assessed by the innovation can be segmented by roles, including architects, developers, testers, and administrators, to make it more relevant and actionable. The innovation can provide processes and actionable steps for modeling performance, measuring, testing, and tuning of applications.

Abstract: In accordance with a method and system for centralized network usage tracking, documents on a network server include a reference to content on a centralized logging server. When one of the documents is accessed by a client computer, the process of rendering the content at the client computer includes requesting the content from the logging server. The logging server, upon receipt of such a request, logs information embedded in the request and returns a trivial response which requires little time and which rendering of need not be perceivable by the user.

Abstract: In accordance with a method and system for centralized network usage tracking, documents on a network server include a reference to content on a centralized logging server. When one of the documents is accessed by a client computer, the process of rendering the content at the client computer includes requesting the content from the logging server. The logging server, upon receipt of such a request, logs information embedded in the request and returns a trivial response which requires little time and which rendering of need not be perceivable by the user.

Abstract: Conditional compilation of intermediate language code based on current environment includes loading intermediate language code on a device. Portions of the intermediate language code are conditionally just-in-time compiled based on a current environment of the device. In accordance with certain aspects, intermediate language code is loaded on a device and a current environment of the device is identified. The intermediate language code is modified based on the current environment, and portions of the modified intermediate language code are just-in-time compiled as needed when running the intermediate language code.

Abstract: The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed at sharing objects between applications executing in a virtual runtime environment. The techniques include compiling a cpu-independent file to create executable instructions that are associated with an application that is executable in a virtual runtime environment. A constructor associated with a shareable class defined within the cpu-independent file is executed to create an instance of a shareable object. The shareable object is then persisted in a manner such that other applications executing in the virtual runtime environment may access the shareable object. The technique may be performed during pre-JIT compilation or just-in-time compilation of the cpu-independent file. The execution of the constructor is performed at a restricted security level that prevents access to changeable information when generating static data for the static members of the shareable object.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a regional service merchant that is outside of a given geographical boundary, but services inside the geographical boundary, to be included in a result set of a search directed to a location inside the geographical boundary. Text and/or glyphs are returned along with the regional service merchant's business listing so as to explain to a user why a business not physically residing in the search area has been included in the result set. An application programming interface ensures that, if a business is listed as a regional service merchant, then the text and/or glyph is stored in association with the business listing.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a regional service merchant that is outside of a given geographical boundary, but services inside the geographical boundary, to be included in a result set of a search directed to a location inside the geographical boundary. Text and/or glyphs are returned along with the regional service merchant's business listing so as to explain to a user why a business not physically residing in the search area has been included in the result set. An application programming interface ensures that, if a business is listed as a regional service merchant, then the text and/or glyph is stored in association with the business listing.

Abstract: An input URL string is searched for a particular pattern, the pattern being defined in a manner such that the search may be satisfied while allowing variability among constituent parts of the input URL string. The input URL string is mapped to an output URL string if the pattern is found in the input URL string.

Abstract: Time and distance metrics are used to control when dynamic information represented by a visual representation to which a cursor points is displayed on a video display. A time metric is used to provide a non-negligible time delay between when the mouse cursor is initially pointing to the visual representation and when the information is displayed. This time delay prevents the user from receiving undesired information when the user inadvertently passes the mouse cursor over the visual representation. In addition, a distance metric is used to monitor the movement of the mouse cursor, so that the information is displayed when the mouse cursor remains within a predetermined distance of the visual representation during the time delay. This monitoring of movement of the mouse cursor provides the user with information even if the mouse cursor is inadvertently moved a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rendering information pages are described. A page is divided into panes which are rendered by individual pane renderers. The pane renderers can be shared between pages, or even re-used across multiple applications. Rendering support components or objects are provided and can provide access to shared services or data (e.g. ads, user preferences, scripts, and styles) that might be required by multiple panes on a page. Page descriptions comprising pane renderers are created dynamically in a prescribed fashion by an application. A page renderer service in a platform then processes the page description and causes the appropriate RSOs to be called, initialized, and used by the pane renderers to render the page.

Abstract: An input URL string is searched for a particular pattern, the pattern being defined in a manner such that the search may be satisfied while allowing variability among constituent parts of the input URL string. The input URL string is mapped to an output URL string if the pattern is found in the input URL string.

Abstract: The invention provides for flexible, convenient, and dynamic URL mapping methods and systems by providing generalized approaches which specify patterns in term of recognizable syntax. The recognizable syntax can be defined by one or more rules. The rules are used and applied to an input URL string which is provided by a client to map the input URL string to an output URL string which is used by a rendering engine to provide a requested resource. Embodiments of the invention provide for a rule cache or internal store in which rules are kept. The rule cache allows for rules to be added, deleted, or modified as desired, without the need to stop and re-start the web service. The rule cache can be populated dynamically at run time. In addition, embodiments of the invention conveniently group rules into rule groups. Individual rule groups can be selectively applied to an input URL string.

Abstract: A system and method employ a hierarchical data structure wherein nodes in the structure have a parent/child as well as a temporal relationship. Accordingly, the parent-child relationship of various nodes may change as a function of time. This hierarchical structure is part of a system employed to schedule content on a web site or web page that changes over time.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently searching directory listing information to obtain more relevant results is provided. In a computer system running a computing application, it is advantageous to provide search capabilities, in the form of a search engine, to operators to assist them in their effort of retrieving desired data. The search engine may cooperate with a data store having directory listing information to provide listings data to an operator. In an illustrative implementation, this search engine may be deployed on an Internet Web site that offers business listing information. The search system may comprise a user interface to enter search query information, a data store that houses a variety of directory listing information according to a predefined data taxonomy, and a means for displaying the search results.

Abstract: A data services layer is disclosed which maintains a dictionary of conceptual information and physical information about the data. Machine-readable requests to access the data are in a form related to a conceptual organization of the data, and is not specific to a physical organization of the data. A machine-readable query to obtain a subset of the data is produced by referencing the dictionary of conceptual and physical information about the data. The conceptual information is obtained from an object-relational-model of the data, and the physical information indicates how the data is organized on the data storage medium. Requests are written in a conceptual query language (CQL) which substantially uses terms belonging to or derived from a natural language. CQL includes terms in the classes of names and concepts, and wherein name terms are used to describe objects in the object-relational-model of the data, and concept terms are used to specify the data subset desired.

Abstract: A system and method employ a hierarchical data structure wherein nodes in the structure have a parent/child as well as a temporal relationship. Accordingly, the parent-child relationship of various nodes may change as a function of time. This hierarchical structure is part of a system employed to schedule content on a web site or web page that changes over time.

Abstract: A minimal rebuild system and process for minimizing rebuilding of a user's programming project analyzes and records dependencies of object code files compiled in a previous build of the project on classes declared in header files. When rebuilding the project, the system detects and records changes made to the classes and header files since the project was last built. The system then determines whether to recompile the object code files from their respective source code files by comparing the recorded dependencies and changes. If an object code file's dependencies do not intersect the changes, recompiling of the object code file can be omitted. The minimal rebuild system utilizes an approximate representation of the dependencies to yield an efficient system while ensuring that the project is correctly rebuilt.