Abstract: An improved compilation and linkage system for use in operating a computer to generate a cross-module optimized executable code file from a plurality of source files and object files. The source files are compiled to intermediate code files using a compiler sub-system. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate code files consist of intermediate language instructions that can be optimized for execution on a predetermined computer and a global symbol table. The compiler sub-system can also be used to generate conventional object code files if desired. A linkage sub-system is then used to cross-module optimize the code in a plurality of intermediate code files and link the resultant object code with any other object code files to generate the executable code file for execution on the computer in question.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to computer software compilation systems and methods which support run-time data type identification of objects in computer programming languages which support polymorphism. The present invention comprises translators, compilers, and debuggers. The compiler and translator store modified debug information in an object code file. The modified debug information contains information regarding either multiple virtual tables or concatenated virtual tables. A debug lookup table is constructed from the modified debug information. The debugger uses the debug lookup table to determine the actual data types of the objects, and to completely and accurately display and modify the objects' contents. Also, innovative type inquiry operators reference the concatenated virtual tables to determine the actual data types of the objects during run-time. The operation of the compiler, translator, and debugger is transparent to computer programmers and operators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protocol method for waiting the bus in a digital computer and an apparatus for implementing that protocol. By allowing the bus to continue running after a wait command has been asserted, modules on the computer bus are not required to respond instantly to the wait command. Information on the bus during the multiple cycles of the wait period is defined as invalid and valid data is driven on the bus after the wait period has expired. Bus driver modules are provided with a replay queue to replay, on the bus, data the driver module drove on the bus during the wait period if required.

Abstract: A computer software compiler system and method for distributing a machine independent computer program, created on a native computer platform, to heterogeneous target computer platforms. The system is comprised of a producer component and one or more installer components. The producer component receives the machine independent computer program as input and generates a compiler intermediate representation in a machine independent manner according to an HPcode-Plus compiler intermediate language. The compiler intermediate representation is architecture neutral and represents an architecture neutral distribution format (ANDF). The compiler intermediate representation is distributed to heterogeneous target computer platforms where the installer components reside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for building a lexical analyzer that can scan multibyte character sets. The present invention factors regular expressions that contain multibyte characters, so that a single byte finite state automata can be constructed. In particular, the present invention provides a computer-based system and method for tokenizing a source program written in a programming language that is represented by both single byte values and two byte values. The present invention includes a mechanism for building a lexical analyzer that is configured to accept an input specification. The input specification typically includes a regular expression(s) and a corresponding associated action(s). The present invention also including a mechanism for factoring the regular expression(s), if the regular expression(s) contains at least one two byte character, into a regular expression(s) containing only single byte characters.

Abstract: A computer software compiler system and method for distributing a machine independent computer program, created on a native computer platform, to heterogeneous target computer platforms. The system comprises installer components which exist on heterogeneous target computer platforms. The installers receive a compiler intermediate representation of the machine independent computer program. The compiler intermediate representation is architecture neutral and represents an architecture neutral distribution format. The installers translate the compiler intermediate representation to object code representations according to an HPcode-Plus compiler intermediate language. The installers operate in a machine dependent manner such that the object code representations are architecture dependent, or machine dependent, on the target computer platforms.

Abstract: A method for operating a digital computer in response to the occurrence of an exception is disclosed. The method provides for the examination both of the contents of a predetermined computer location and of the instruction code for the instruction causing the exception. The computer then utilizes the result of those examinations to determine the dismissibility of the exception. The computer transfers control to the next instruction after the instruction which caused the exception if that instruction is dismissible.

Abstract: A computer software compiler system and method for distributing a machine independent computer program, created on a native computer platform, to heterogeneous target computer platforms. The system comprises a producer which receives the machine independent computer program as input and which generates compiler intermediate representation. The system operates in a machine independent manner according to an HPcode-Plus compiler intermediate language. Thus, the compiler intermediate representation is machine independent and represents an architecture neutral distribution format (ANDF). The compiler intermediate representation, being architecture neutral, can be distributed to heterogeneous target computer platforms. At the heterogeneous target computer platforms, the compiler intermediate representation can be translated in a machine dependent manner into object code representations such that the object code representations are architecture dependent, or machine dependent, on the target computer platforms.

Abstract: Radio frequency emissions within a computer system having a printed circuit assembly in proximity of a metal surface are reduced by the placement of one or more lossy components electrically connected to a metal plane within the printed circuit assembly. A connector electrically connects the lossy components to the metal surface. In one embodiment, the lossy components include two resistors at opposite ends of an edge of the printed circuit assembly that is closest to the metal surface. In an alternate embodiment, a single lossy component is a resistor placed in the middle of an edge of the printed circuit assembly that is closest to the metal surface.

Abstract: A computing system has a wireless interface, for example an infrared interface. The infrared interface is used to directly transmit configuration information to and/or receive configuration from a configuration storage device without going through the standard I/O interfaces of the computing system. This is done by connecting the infrared interface directly to the configuration storage device. Alternately, the infrared interface is used to allow direct connection to a memory bus without using an I/O bus. This allows the computing system to send out diagnostic information without using the I/O bus. The infrared interface can be full duplex allowing requests for diagnostic information to be made by a handheld computing system such as a handheld computer or a calculator. The infrared interface may also be used to download data and programming code to a handheld computing system and for receiving data from the handheld computing system.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for a personal computer (PC) to auto-detect the configuration of mass storage devices installed by the user. At least one drive table contains numerous configurations pertaining to industry-standard mass storage devices. These numerous configurations are compared to the configuration which is auto-detected. If a match occurs, then the PC adopts that configuration. However, the PC permits the user to override this configuration by entering a custom configuration or by selecting another configuration from the drive table(s). If no match occurs, then the user is permitted to select one of numerous generic configurations pertaining to mass storage devices. Accordingly, the PC system configuration if used on a different PC will function properly if the selected generic configuration matches a configuration found in the BIOS program of the different PC.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a removable optical disk having active circuitry thereon and a disk player is disclosed. The optical disk includes a storage medium for storing data on one side and active circuitry for processing the data on the other side. The disk cartridge includes most of the high speed components of the computer system, while the disk player includes those components which are least likely to change over time. By combining the active circuitry with the data and programs to be processed thereby on a single disk cartridge, the problems associated with maintaining and configuring the system are substantially reduced compared to prior art systems.

Abstract: A computer software-related device and method uses regression testing techniques for testing computer hardware and/or software application(s). Input data and commands from a user are stored, and are sent to a hardware/software system under test. Signatures (representative of visual display data) which are received (with a selected prevalence) as a result of the sent input data and commands are also stored. On command of a user, the stored signatures, input data and commands are subsequently sent to the hardware/software system under test, and new signatures are generated. These new signatures are compared with the stored signatures, and the results of this comparison are used as an indication that the hardware/software system under test is performing as expected.