Abstract: Event handling in multinode data processing networks, in which data structures are shared between nodes and are subject to concurrent requests for access, is facilitated through the use of a separate small data structure (bit array or linked list) which permits an event handler to hand off the task of accessing the data structure to an event handler which is already accessing data from the same data structure. This eliminates the need for locking arrangements and/or the use of special coordinating event handlers.

Abstract: A seed skipping mechanism is provided for use in conjunction with a linear feedback shift register used as a pseudo-random pattern generator for generating sequences of test bit streams for testing integrated circuit devices. The utilization of seed skipping for the pseudo-random pattern number generator in connection with weighting of the patterns from the random pattern generator provides an effective and low cost solution to data storage problems associated with generating effective test patterns for testing integrated circuit chip devices.