Abstract: Techniques are provided for changing data for an XML construct in an SQL/XML compliant database management system (DBMS). The DBMS allows instances of XML type to represent XML constructs, such as XML documents, XML elements, XML attributes, and fragments of XML documents. An SQL statement is received that includes an XML operator that operates on a particular component in an instance of XML type. During execution of the SQL statement, the XML operator is evaluated by modifying content for the component without modifying the entire instance. For example, an XML delete operator deletes the particular component from the instance. Other XML operators include an insert operator, an insert-before operator, an append-child operator, and an update operator. During execution, these operators may be rewritten to operate on existing SQL constructs, or evaluated by updating only some of the existing SQL constructs, or both.

Abstract: A distributed decision support system is described for use in the area of problem discovery and capacity planning for database applications. The use of data navigation, particularly drill down, roll up, and pivot for application management tasks are described. The system presents data collected from components of an application server system by various cartridges to users in a way that facilitates the identification of problems in the application server system and provides for an efficient way to do capacity planning of such systems.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for receiving data associated with a user's eye movements when viewing an image. The received data is displayed in a tabular format on a first portion of a display device and displayed in a graphical format on a second portion of the display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating surveys over a network system causes an interface to be displayed to a particular client of the network system. This interface can be used by the particular client to define a survey. In response to the client interacting with the interface, a sequence of steps is automatically performed. The sequence of steps includes generating a survey based on information received over the network system from the particular client interacting with the interface; fielding the survey to a group of target users on the network system; gathering results of from network users participating in the survey; and providing the particular client, over said network system, with data that reflects the results of the survey.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a distributed lock manager (DLM) for faster reconfiguration includes using a constant hash function to associate each resource of a plurality of shared resources with a hash value. A hash map is maintained which associates a plurality of hash value ranges with each of one or more master nodes. In response to one or more factors, the hash value ranges are re-mapped to master nodes by revising the hash map without changing the constant hash function. The factors include at least a measure of the amount of lock information or a weight. A weight is associated with each node in the cluster, and is selected from a set of non-uniform master weights.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a unified message store logically storing computer telephony messages is disclosed. A multiplicity of heterogeneous storage objects corresponding to computer telephony messages are stored in a unified message store. An application software layer exchanging the heterogeneous storage objects with a computer telephony server is exported. The computer telephony server is interfaced via a container subsystem defining encapsulated methods including organization strategy methods and storage strategy methods. A unified inbox generating an indicator for at least one of the computer telephony messages is provided. The unified inbox exports user controls for accessing the corresponding heterogeneous storage objects stored in the unified message store.

Abstract: A method and mechanism are provided for accessing data. Values are stored for a set of context attributes associated with a session between a database user and a database server. The database system includes an attribute setting mechanism that selectively restricts access to the set of context attributes based on a policy. During the session, the database server executes a query that contains a reference to one or more of the context attributes. For example, the query may contain a predicate that requires a comparison between a context attribute value and a constant. The database server processes the query based on current values of the one or more of the context attributes referenced in the query. A mechanism is also provided for dynamically attaching predicates to queries, where the predicates are attached based on a policy. For example, the database system detects that a query is issued against a database object.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for expanding the concept of partitioning in variety of ways. In particular techniques are provided for performing multiple-dimension partitioning. In multiple-dimension partitioning, a database object is divided into partitions based on one criteria, and each of those resulting partitions is divided into sub-partitions based on a second criteria. The process of partitioning partitions based on different criteria may be repeated across any number of dimensions. Entirely different partitioning techniques may be used for each level of partitioning. The database server takes advantage of partitions when processing queries that include joins. In particular, techniques are provided for performing a full parallel partitioned-wise join, and a partial parallel partition-wise join.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing an application designed to store data for one group of users to store data for a plurality of groups of users include modifying the application to cause the application to indicate a routine to a database server that stores data for the application in a database. The routine provides modifications to queries of the database, which limit access based on the groups to which belong users that cause the queries to be submitted. In response to receiving a query involving the database and caused by a particular user, the database server locates the routine, and, prior to executing the query, modifies the query. Modifying the query includes invoking the routine. The modification to the query thereby limits access of the particular user to data that is associated with the group of users to which the particular user belongs.

Abstract: A system allows exchange of information by converting it to/from proprietary formats from/to XML. An XML import tool may be used to import data from an XML file into a target repository by receiving user input for selecting data structures within the target repository, for selecting set of fields that belong to the selected set of data structures, and for mapping fields in the selected set of fields to tags associated with data within the XML file. A set of commands is generated based on the user inputs for populating the one or more fields that are mapped to tags with the data in the XML file. The set of commands cause the one or more fields that are mapped to tags to be populated with the data in the XML file.

Abstract: Techniques for managing, within a computer system, a resource that is reusable by a plurality of entities include establishing a minimum period of time for retaining an amount of the resource after completion of use of the resource by an entity. A first amount of the resource is allocated to a first entity. After allocating the first amount to the first entity, the first amount is prevented from being allocated to a second entity before the minimum period of time expires after the first entity completes use of the first resource. These techniques allow resources to be recycled and allocated for new uses by other entities in a computer system, but also guarantee the resources are retained in a given state for consistent use by other entities, even after the entity terminates that first had the resource allocated.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for executing an operation in which a client invokes a replicated object. According to one technique, a primary replica of a replicated object receives a first request from a client, wherein the first request includes a request identifier. Rather than immediately attempting to process the request, the primary replica determines whether a record exists that corresponds to the request identifier. If a record exists that corresponds to the request identifier, then the primary replica responds to the first request with a reply associated with the record. If no record exists that corresponds to the request identifier, then the primary replica performs the steps of: starting a transaction; as part of the transaction, processing the request; as part of the transaction, storing a record associated with the request identifier and a reply to the request; committing the transaction; and delivering the reply to the client. The client may itself be a replicated object.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for delivering search results pages to the users of a search engine, where one or more search result listings on the search results pages include items that are not included by default. The non-default items may take many forms, including but not limited to images, banners, controls, animations, and even Java applets. The non-default items may be designed to entice the search engine users to select the search result listing with which they are associated over possibly higher-ranked search result listings that contain only default items.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for updating data that logically resides in one or more nested collections in a nested collection column of a view. According to one technique, a Data Manipulation Language (DML) statement that operates on individual elements within the one or more nested collections is detected. Instead of executing the DML statement, trigger code is executed once for each individual element, within the one or more nested collections, that is targeted by the DML statement. In addition, the trigger code may include one or more references to parent values. For each nested collection selected by the DML statement, the following steps are performed when the trigger code includes references to parent values: determining the row, within the view, in which the nested collection resides and, prior to executing the trigger code for the nested collection, binding the one or more references to one or more corresponding values that logically reside in the row.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for extending the behavior and attributes of applications designed using a fourth generation language (4GL) programming tool. Specifically, a 4GL programming tool is provided that allows application designers to specify the implementation classes of the components that are used in the applications that they design using the 4GL programming tool. The implementation classes thus specified may define attributes and behaviors not supported by the corresponding component implementations provided with the 4GL programming tool. During runtime, methods in the specified implementation classes are invoked. To correctly invoke the methods of user-specified implementation classes, the interfaces of the methods must be known to the entity performing the invocations.

Abstract: Techniques for managing files in a computer system are provided. According to one technique, an association is established between a type of file system operation, a file, and an interested entity. It is detected when that type of file system operation is performed on the file. In response to detecting that that type of file system operation is performed on the file, a message is sent to the interested entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for managing the amount of memory available to processes within the computer system. Additional virtual address spaces are dynamically created to make more memory available to computer processes. The computer processes executing in each virtual address space access a shared memory region. Also, when a user requests a new connection to the computer system to form a new user session, it is determined to which of the existing virtual address spaces the new user session would best be assigned so as to maintain a load balance among the existing virtual address spaces.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a distributed lock manager (DLM) for faster reconfiguration includes distributing over a cluster of one or more active nodes, management of locks on shared resources. A system hash map is initialized to establish a mapping between a plurality of hash value ranges and one or more master nodes. The management of the locks is initially distributed based on that mapping. The cluster is monitored to gather data during a time interval, including data that identifies how much resource usage is made of resources hashed to each hash value range of the plurality of hash value ranges. It is determined whether a re-mastering event condition is satisfied based on one or more factors. The factors include the resource usage. If the re-mastering event condition is satisfied, a re-mastering event is performed.

Abstract: Techniques are described which allow function-defined hierarchies to be registered with a database server. The information provided to the server during the registration process is used by the server to determine how to roll up data that has been aggregated at one level of a function-defined hierarchy to another level of the function-defined hierarchy. Techniques are also provided to perform rollup from one level of a function-defined hierarchy to another level of the function-defined hierarchy on data stored in a materialized view. Further, techniques are provided for rewriting queries that require aggregation at one level of a function-defined hierarchy to cause them to access data from a materialized view that stores data at a different level of the function-defined hierarchy.