Abstract: A system and methodology for parallel processing of continuous data streams. In one embodiment, a system for parallel processing of data streams comprises: a converter receiving input streams of data in a plurality of formats and transforming the streams into a standardized data stream format comprising rows and columns in which values in a given column are of a homogeneous type; a storage system that continuously maintains a finite interval of each stream subject to specified space limits for the stream; an interface enabling a user to construct parallel stream programs for processing streams in the standardized data stream format, wherein a parallel stream program comprises a linear sequence of program building blocks for performing operations on a data stream; and a runtime computing system running multiple parallel stream programs continuously on the streams as they flow through the storage system.

Abstract: A system and methodology for extraction and aggregation of data from dynamic content is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method is described for extracting and structuring items of data from content available via the Internet, the method comprises steps of: receiving input of a user specifying at least one source of content available via the Internet, types of data to be extracted from the at least one source, and fields for structuring extracted items of data; retrieving content from the at least one source; parsing the retrieved content to extract items of data of the types specified by the user; and mapping the extracted items of data to the fields specified by the user so as to transform the extracted items of data into a structured format.

Abstract: An improved method for handling database queries including functional expressions against columns having enumerated storage is described. Upon receipt of a query including a predicate having at least one functional expression referencing at least one database column containing offsets to values in enumerated storage, a look-up table is created for storing results of evaluation of the predicate against the values in enumerated storage. Each functional expression of the predicate is evaluated against the values in enumerated storage and the results of evaluation are stored in the look-up table. Results stored in the look-up table may then be accessed through use of the offsets to values in enumerated storage. The method may also be utilized for projecting expressions against database columns having enumerated storage.

Abstract: A system providing methods for adjusting a user's selection of source code of a program to correspond with a parsed version of the program is described. The method commences with user input of a selection of source code of a program for performing an operation such as a refactoring. The user's selection is compared with a parsed version of the program. If the user's selection does not correspond with the parsed version of the program, the user's selection is adjusted to achieve correspondence with the parsed version of the program.

Abstract: In a database system, a method for optimization of a query is described. When a query is received which requests data from a database, a plurality of plans which can be used for obtaining data requested by the query are enumerated. A search tree is created based upon these plans, with nodes of the search tree representing segments of the plans. A limited number of nodes of the search tree are selected for evaluation to limit the effort spent on query optimization. A complete plan for execution of the query is generated by evaluating the selected nodes of the search tree and, if the evaluation determines that a given node is more favorable than comparable nodes previously evaluated, retaining the given node as part of the complete plan.

Abstract: A system and methodology for providing a Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagram of a program for display in a graphical user interface of a development system is described. Relationships between a plurality of files of a program are determined using a compiler. When a request for display of a UML diagram is received, a UML diagram of the currently selected file is generated based upon the determined relationships between the currently selected file and other files of the program. The UML diagram displayed in the graphical user interface enables a user to navigate to a particular file of the program by selecting one of the nodes of the UML diagram. The system enables a user to view source code or a UML diagram of a particular component displayed in the UML diagram.

Abstract: A database system providing methods for eager and opportunistic property enforcement is described. Plan fragments are generated for obtaining data requested by a query. Plan fragments are grouped together in classes based upon tables of the database covered by each plan fragment. For each class, a particular plan fragment having the lowest execution costs for obtaining the data requested by the query is determined. If grouping is not required at a given class, an operator enforcing ordering is added to this particular sub-plan. However, if grouping is required at the given class, an operator enforcing both grouping and ordering is added to this sub-plan.

Abstract: A system providing methods enabling data in Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) format to be extracted, transformed and stored in a database, file system or main memory is described. The extraction and transformation process is generalized and can be used on various types of XML data, enabling XML data to be stored and queried using standard database query methodologies. The system includes parse-time functionality to transform XML documents into a structure having an interface that enables efficient access to the underlying data. The system also includes query execution-time functionality providing greater efficiency by bringing only the relevant portions of transformed XML data into memory in response to a query. The system parses and translates queries into a structure that can be executed without the need to write custom application-specific navigation code to search XML data. The system also enables original XML documents (or portions thereof) to be recomposed when required.

Abstract: A transaction processing system providing improved methodology for invoking two-phase commit protocol (2PC) is described. More particularly, a transaction is handled without use of 2PC until the system determines that the transaction does, in fact, involve changes to more than one database. The methodology improves overall system performance by looking at each transaction to determine whether the transaction actually requires use of 2PC before incurring the overhead associated with use of the two-phase commit protocol. Because only a small percentage of real world transactions result in updates to more than one database, the methodology improves the overall performance of transaction processing systems considerably.

Abstract: A multiprogrammed multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of processors and some communications resources such as networks through which the processors communicate with each other. A plurality of tasks may be executed on the system, and the allocation of the communications resources among the tasks is globally controlled. The allocation of resources among the tasks running on the system can be dependent on the signature of the tasks, where one component of a task signature is a measure of the communication resources needed by the task. The scheduling of a task running on the system may also be dependent on the signature of the task. The allocation of communications resources can be globally controlled using a variety of techniques including: packet injection into the communications resources using periodic strobing or using global flow control; using global implicit acknowledgments; by destination scheduling; by pacing; or by prioritized communication scheduling.

Abstract: An improved method for creating an index based on a path-compressed binary trie in a database system comprising database tables and indexes on those tables is described. For a given index to be created, a path-compressed binary trie for the given index is determined. The path-compressed binary trie comprises internal nodes and leaf nodes. Based on a traversal of the path-compressed binary trie, an index is created comprising a first array of internal nodes encountered during the traversal, and a second array of leaf nodes encountered during the traversal. The database system employs said first and second arrays for providing index-based access for a given key value.