Abstract: A system and method for dynamically composing a class is provided. A query is parsed and a compiler object tree is generated that corresponds to the operators in the query. A set of feature requests and responses are initiated and a set of feature objects are generated that are executed at runtime. The language of the query may be extended by registering a new operator, and optionally a new feature for a query language, with a search engine without modifying the source code of the search engine. The new operator may be specified in a plug-in and provided to the search engine via the plug-in. An application converts an end user query into an application query that conforms to the query language supported by the search engine and includes the new operator. The application query may also include references to traditional programming constructs and search engine primitives.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for blending a plurality of search engine results from a respective plurality of search sources into one search engine. A result list of entries is received from each search source. Each result list includes at least, for each entry on the list, a position of the entry, an address of a document, and a relevance score of the document. A determined transformation is applied to the relevance scores of at least a subset of the documents in at least one of the received result lists so as to generate transformed scores. Finally portions of the respective results lists are combined to produce a blended search engine result comprising a blended list of entries. The ordering of the blended list of entries is based, at least in part, on the transformed scores of the documents.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for blending a plurality of search engine results from a respective plurality of search sources into one search engine. A result list of entries is received from each search source. Each result list includes at least, for each entry on the list, a position of the entry, an address of a document, and a relevance score of the document. A determined transformation is applied to the relevance scores of at least a subset of the documents in at least one of the received result lists so as to generate transformed scores. Finally portions of the respective results lists are combined to produce a blended search engine result comprising a blended list of entries. The ordering of the blended list of entries is based, at least in part, on the transformed scores of the documents.

Abstract: In response to a message requesting a method invocation from an application or user, a client application determines the proper method to be invoked by retrieving information from a class data base, comparing the retrieved information with user preferences, and selecting the proper method based upon the comparison. Server connection and start-up involves locating a platform capable of executing code associated with the selected method and, if necessary, executing a process to start an application associated with the selected method.

Abstract: An information object transport system for enabling nodes to transmit objects a digital data processing system. Each node includes an object store for storing a plurality of objects, at least one of the objects including at least one external reference identifying another object. An information object transport arrangement responsive to receipt of a command identifying an object in the object store performs a packing operation to generate a message comprising the identified object and other objects identified by an external reference of the identified object. After generating a message, the node transmits it to another node in the digital data processing system. Upon receiving a message, an external references resolution portion selects an object in a message and iteratively processes external references in the selected object to identify other objects in the message. The external reference resolution portion enables the object storing portion to store objects identified thereby.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing for the interaction of processes in an object-oriented manner by which a system manages "classes" of data instances and applications rather than managing the data itself. The names of classes may be stored in a data base which also contains other information about the classes, such as certain con, non attributes of applications or instances which are supported by the classes. Applications can remotely invoke other applications by sending messages with parameters. Using the message names, as well as information about the classes of certain parameters and certain preference information, a reference to a specific method is selected from the data base. That method will perform the operation specified in the message. Other information in the data base is then used to locate and execute the actual code to implement the referenced method.

Abstract: The system for organizing communication among applications in a data processing network includes data bases and data base control means. The data bases include method entries, message entries, and class entries. Method entries refer to commands or other mechanisms used to invoke applications. Message entries each represent a type of operation which can be performed on instances in a class which correspond to that message and identify a method map which contains one or more references to method entries stored in the data base. Class entries, each of which is unique in a data base, contain information about classes consisting of instances which have common characteristics as well as identifying a corresponding group of message entries.

Abstract: A new processing system includes a child system and a parent system. The child system performs operations in a session, and includes a child application and a child-parent interface for receiving communications from a parent to control said child application. The parent system includes a child application invocation portion for enabling a child application to be invoked, a parent-child interface for generating communication for transfer to said child-parent interface, and a parent application for controlling the child application invocation portion and said child parent interface to enable invocation of said child application and for thereafter enabling said child application to perform processing operations in a series of processing sessions.

Abstract: A data structure comprising a header portion and a content portion. The header portion includes an external references vector including at least one external reference item that identifies an external structure. The content portion includes data, and includes a pointer that identifies an external reference item in the external references vector, thereby referencing the inclusion of the external structure in the location of the pointer in the content portion. As a further refinement, the content portion further comprises a function pointer identifying a function external to the data structure, thereby referencing inclusion of the results of processing by the external function in the data structure at the location of the function pointer.