Abstract: A system and method for storage and retrieval of objects. The objects are stored on a permanent medium in a manner to allow for fast recovery of the objects from the medium. The objects are stored in a format that is structurally equivalent to the format of the objects on a volatile medium, such as memory of a general-purpose computer. Objects are stored according to a data relationship with other objects. The objects may be stored as a stream of objects and offset references. Offset references are converted to actual memory addresses as objects are retrieved into the volatile medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recipe for use with a process control system includes unit procedures (to be executed on units) and information that identifies unit procedures that must be executed on units that are physically connected to one another, unit procedures that must be executed on the same unit, and/or unit procedures that must be executed on different units. According to another embodiment, a method for configuring a recipe includes the step of storing information in memory that identifies unit procedures of the recipe that must be executed on units that are physically connected to one another, unit procedures of the recipe that must be executed on the same unit, and/or unit procedures of the recipe that must be executed on different units.

Abstract: A graphics-oriented technique for enabling a user to configure data processing features of a computer system that includes at least one computer. The data processing features are presented to the user in the form of displayed graphical objects, each of which represents one feature. The user selects a graphical object using an input device of the computer (e.g., a mouse), and is then prompted to enter information associated with the data processing feature represented by the selected object. The computer system is then enabled to use the data processing feature to process data in accordance with the user-specified information. After the configuration information has been entered for at least some of the objects, symbols are added to the display to indicate that the data processing features that the objects represent have been enabled, which presents to the user a comprehensive, easily understood representation of the current configuration state of the system.

Abstract: A computer display system and technique in which display area is represented as an array of regions, and a record is maintained for each object displayed in the area to identify the regions occupied by the object. When an event occurs that causes a change in the information presented in the display area, the regions that are affected by the change are detected, and an object is updated if its record identifies at least one of the affected regions. Examples of such events include the appearance and removal of dialog boxes, pull-down menus, and other items that may obscure the objects when displayed, and changes in the display characteristics (e.g., color) of the objects.