Abstract: A development system having a client which employs a virtual machine for executing programs written in the Java programming language is described. The client executes a "compiled" (i.e., bytecode or pseudo-compiled) Java program, which has been created by compiling a Java source code program or script with a Java compiler. The pseudo-compiled program comprises the bytecode emitted by the compiler. The development system further includes a just-in-time compiler which natively compiles each pseudo-compiled method of a Java program on a "just-in-time" basis--that is, compiles each method as it is actually used into native machine code for a target microprocessor. Methods which are unused are left uncompiled (i.e., left as bytecode). During program execution, when a method call is made from interpreted code, the system employs an "invoker" slot of the callee. When a method call is made from compiled code, the system employs a "compiled code" slot of the callee.

Abstract: A portable computing device or "information appliance" having terse user input (e.g., limit set of keys) is provided with an improved user interface. A six-key embodiment is described that provides a "super-key" light entry and editing input system for ultra-portable devices, thus making it well suited for use with credit card-sized devices. In a preferred six-button embodiment, a credit card-sized device is modified to include an additional input button, an EDIT key. In user operation, pressing the EDIT key brings up a context sensitive pop-up menu, thus invoking the super-key feature. Customized user input controls, such as a Text Input Control (e.g., letter and number strips), are provided at appropriate times, for facilitating input. Underlying the super-key input is a heuristic sub-system that remembers and anticipates user input.

Abstract: An Internet computer system with methods for dynamic filtering of hypertext tags and content is described. The system includes one or more Web clients, each operating a Web browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer) with an Internet connection to one or more Web servers. Each client includes, interposed between its browser and communication layer, a Filter module of the present invention which traps and processes all communications between the browser and the communication layer. The Filter module, which implements client-side methodology at each individual Web client for dynamic filtering of hypertext tags and content, includes an output stream, a processing loop, a Filter method, and an input stream. During system operation, the Web browser generates multiple requests for retrieving content. More particularly, particular content is retrieved by a fetch or GET command (e.g., using HTTP protocol) transmitted to a target server from the client-side communication layer (e.g.

Abstract: An "Object Cycle" versioning system having an Object Cycle Server is described. The server communicates over a wire or a network for providing versioning services to multiple clients. During a user session, a user invokes operation of the system from within the development environment of the particular client being used. From the perspective of the Object Cycle Server, each client is simply "a client" (without regard to proprietary nature) which desires to store "an object." The Object Cycle Server, in turn, maps the object into a meta model which serves as a container for facilitating version control. With the model, therefore, operations supported by the system for versioning will execute correctly even if the objects are stored in a format other than a relational database, such as an object-oriented database, a file server, or other storage system. The model separates out the name of an object from where the object itself is actually stored.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet system of the present invention includes a notebook interface having a plurality of notebook pages, each of which may contain a spread of information cells, or other desired page type (e.g., Graphs page). Methods are provided for rapidly accessing and processing information on the different pages, including displaying a plurality of page identifiers for selecting individual pages, and further including a preferred syntax for referencing information. Additional methods are described for in-memory management and persistent storage of notebooks and their pages.

Abstract: Computer systems and computer implemented methods are provided for managing memory in a database management system. The computer memory is partitioned into a plurality of buffer caches, each of which is separately addressable. One buffer cache is set aside as a default buffer cache, while the other buffer caches are reserved for specific data objects meeting certain predefined criteria. Those objects meeting the predefined criteria are stored in reserved buffer caches where they are likely to remain for a relatively long period of time (in comparison to data objects stored in the default buffer caches). A buffer cache may have a plurality of memory pools, each of which contains multiple storage blocks. The storage blocks in a given memory pool are identically sized, while the storage blocks in one memory pool are sized differently from the storage blocks in another memory pool.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methodology is described which allows any user to access a "network client" machine (e.g., PC, ATM machine, cell phone, or the like) which is connected to a network but which does not know the authentication of the user. With only the user's password, the client machine is able to initiate a communication session with a server and identify the user to the server as the person who the server truly expects. The method allows both the client and the server to each identify the other as authentic (not a middle man or imposter)--that is, without compromise in security along the communication link. In this manner, the user can access information from the true server in a secure manner and bring that information down to the local client, for instance, for use in a JAVA application.

Abstract: A development system having a monitor/profiler tool for monitoring functions in natively compiled software programs is described. According to the present invention, the monitor/profiler tool is constructed to work directly on a natively compiled software application which only have debugging info. Unlike prior approaches, the monitor/profiler tool does not require a special compile or link phase for the application under exam. The tool can monitor any function in software application which has debug info, thus relieving program developers from the burden of maintaining two ways of building an application. The developer can simply use the same executable for both development and function analysis.

Abstract: An electronic Personal Information Manager (PIM) including a peer-to-peer group scheduling/calendar system is described. The group scheduling/calendar system provides methods for peer-to-peer group scheduling among users, including those users who only have simple e-mail support (i.e., do not have access to the group scheduling/calendar system itself). If a user is able to receive and respond to e-mail, he or she is able to participate in group scheduling in an automated fashion. Under user control, the system generates a scheduling invitation incorporating different formats. Each format includes, in order of increasing content richness, a simple text embedded scheduling invitation, an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) form embedded scheduling invitation, and a proprietary binary "MIME" (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) scheduling invitation. Each format is designed to transfer the highest degree of information content which a particular target client type can handle.

Abstract: A relational database system providing improved data structures and methods which operate for translating log records is described. A table of translation functions or methods (pointers) is provided, one per "logop" (i.e., log operation) record type. The logop, which is a single byte value, can be used as an index into the table. During times when a log incompatibility state exists in a database, a Log Compatibility module is invoked for performing appropriate translations. In the client's stack space, hidden from client code, a buffer is provided in which a reformatted log record can be stored. An appropriate translate method installed for the current logop is called; it procures a pointer to that buffer, and reformats the log record into that space. The system returns to the client a pointer to a reformatted log record in its own stack space, with the client largely unaware of the issue.

Abstract: A system of the present invention includes a relational database management system (RDBMS), having an object-based, interactive visual-programming language providing programming by "visual inheritance." A user places screen objects (e.g., boxes, screen buttons, table objects, and the like) on an on-screen window or "form," visually attaches selected "properties" and "methods" to the screen objects, and then establishes an containership-based event model that dictates how and when these properties and methods will be invoked. An object inherits (derives) properties and methods from other (parent) objects via its visual containership. In this manner, the task of creating and maintaining application programs is greatly simplified. An alternative embodiment providing an "Object Explorer" is also described. The Explorer collapses object inspector and object tree functionality into a single UI (user interface) element.

Abstract: Database system and methods are described for improving execution speed of database queries (e.g., for decision support) by provides methods employing spline histograms for improving the determination of selectivity estimates. The general approach improves histogram-based cost estimates as follows. The constant associated with a predicate (e.g., in r.a>5, the constant is "5") is used to do a binary search in an array of histogram boundary values, for determining a particular histogram cell. Once a cell has been found, the system employs interpolation to find out how much of the cell has been selected. Once this interpolation value is found, it is used with a cell weighting and a spline value or weighting to estimate the selectivity of the predicate value, which takes into account how data values are distributed within the cell. As a result of increased accuracy of estimates, the system can formulate better query plans and, thus, provides better performance.

Abstract: A portable computing device is described with a file system designed for providing improved data transfer methodology. The file system is implemented as a "Delta Block" File System (DBFS) comprising a file system designed specifically for the purpose of minimal delta calculation and minimum data transfer, particularly for portable storage devices which use solid state storage. The design of the DBFS minimizes the work required to compute changes to files and, hence, allows improved data transfer. Any new, removed, or modified blocks are transferred as changes. A simple checksum, CRC (cyclic redundancy checking), or similar comparison can be used to test a block for changes. Because block modifications are isolated to the proximity of the data change, only these blocks will be involved in a transfer. Furthermore, because the delta calculation is at the block level, it can be performed without knowledge of the data itself, thereby allowing any type of data to be compared and transferred.

Abstract: Graphical user interface system and methods for providing "hints" for screen objects of interest, particularly user interface elements which rely upon multitudes of iconic (bitmap image) indicia. The interface includes a static (status) frame or window positioned in a non-intrusive fashion below or to one side of a client area (active portion) of a user interface. The frame is continually updated with appropriate descriptors or "hints" (e.g., text and/or graphics) as a screen cursor moves from one screen object to another.

Abstract: A database client/server development system providing support for remote sessions with user-created application objects is described. When a user desires to create a "remoteable" object from a user object, the user assigns a proxy name or alias, thereby providing a mechanism to differentiate the real (local) version of the object from a remote version of that object. When the user creates the proxy, the system generates all of the interface definitions for the object (i.e., to access its internal functionality) which are capable of being proxied (i.e., "proxiable"). A given object can reside locally, remotely, or both; the proxy mechanism allows the application to resolve at runtime which version of the object to invoke. When the user's final application is deployed, the proxy object is deployed at the client machine for use at the client for accessing the real version at the server. If desired, an application can be deployed with a real copy of the object, in addition to the proxy.

Abstract: A visual development system is described which allows a user to derive forms from other "ancestor" forms, inheriting their components, properties, and code as a starting point for one's own forms. During system operation, the user selects an "Inherit" menu choice for indicating to the system that the form to be created inherits from an existing ancestor form. Ancestor forms can be any forms already contained in an existing project or in an "object repository" provided by the system. Form inheritance allows the user to create a library of standard form templates, either within a single application or across an entire suite of applications. Any changes made to the ancestor form immediately appear in the descendant forms. Further, the use can customize each form type so derived while still retaining the ability to modify the standard form and have those changes reflected in the derived forms.

Abstract: A development system is described which provides a form-based development environment for partitioning an application such that it can be seamlessly integrated into corporate Webs (i.e., "intranets"). A form is implemented as an "application page" and published as an ActiveX object. Specifically, a new "application" page MIME type is defined: application/x-appdoc. This contains information necessary to create a document (e.g., Microsoft ActiveX Document) locally but, in addition, also includes information necessary to find and download the program code for rendering the view of the document. If the program code is already present locally, it need only be downloaded for purpose of updating the local copy. Once a form is built into an ActiveX object and digitally signed, it can be downloaded to a client and run in a Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Abstract: A system providing a Print Manager having a Form Designer which assists a user with mapping user data (e.g., "cardfile" or database data) onto a formatted output, such as a commercial form, is described. During system operation, the user employs the Form Designer as a free-hand tool for placing fields and other information anywhere on a form (e.g., label) in a WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") fashion. In this manner, the user can create a content description which describes how contents (i.e., user data) are laid out. The system maintains, independent of the content descriptions, a set of templates which define print styles or layouts for particular forms, such as envelopes, address labels, and the like. The content description, once defined, can be applied against various templates in a generic fashion. An interface is provided which allows the user to cycle through various templates, with the content description being automatically applied against each template.

Abstract: An object-oriented development system of the present invention includes a development system, which may include, among other features, a compiler, a linker, standard libraries, class libraries, and a debugger. Methods of the present invention include constructing C++ classes having response functions--C++ class methods which process specific system messages of interest. More particularly, a C++ class includes a registry object--an object which associates the message of interest with a particular response function. The registry object includes C++ template definition, whereby the object includes a "generic" function, that is, one which is not tied to any specific parameter type. In this manner, the message-response functions of the development system do not require compiler-specific extensions or unsafe casting operations.