Abstract: A method of controlling the existence of a Java object associated with a Web page in order to reuse the object, rather than create a new one when the Web page is revisited. The invention provides a method for allowing an object to register with a persistence manager upon creation, which maintains objects registered with it while the Web page is no longer being viewed. A Web browser translates instructions to create a Web page and invokes any Java objects resident on the page. The objects then check with the persistence manager to determine if the objects are present in the persistence manager. The objects in the persistence manager are then used, rather than creating new objects. The object remains registered until such time as it no longer needs to persist or until the Web browser is completely shut down.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a persistent HTTP tunnel for a connection-oriented protocol between a client and a Web server. A data message complying with the connection-oriented protocol is generated and embedded into a chunked data message in compliance with a chunking option for the HTTP. The chunked data message is transmitted between a client and a Web server. Upon receiving any chunked data message at the Web server, the Web server parses the chunked data message and delivers the data message to a host system. Upon receiving any chunked data message at the client, the client parses the chunked data message and delivers the data message to a terminal emulator running on the client. This allows a terminal session to be supported by a real-time bi-directional persistent connection with the host system. The bi-directional persistent connection allows interleaving of the chunked data messages from the Web client with the chunked data messages on the Web server on the persistent HTTP tunnel.

Abstract: A system and method for executing commands on a specific virtual desktop operating in a multi-user server environment. The present invention provides a system and method for executing commands associated with a specific virtual desktop. A virtual process broker (20) running on a server communicates with a remote requester and multiple virtual desktops. A virtual process agent (24) running in each of the virtual desktops communicates with the virtual process broker. A virtual desktop identifier is assigned to each of the virtual desktops and communicated to the virtual process broker. The virtual process broker records a status for the virtual desktop identifier in a virtual process broker database. Later, a remote requester such as a remote system or a virtual desktop generates a command request that is received by the virtual broker. The virtual broker determines whether the user associated with the command request is currently logged in by querying the virtual process broker database.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a persistent HTTP tunnel for a connection-oriented protocol between a client and a Web server. A data message complying with the connection-oriented protocol is generated and embedded into a chunked data message in compliance with a chunking option for the HTTP. The chunked data message is transmitted between a client and a Web server. Upon receiving any chunked data message at the Web server, the Web server parses the chunked data message and delivers the data message to a host system. Upon receiving any chunked data message at the client, the client parses the chunked data message and delivers the data message to a terminal emulator running on the client. This allows a terminal session to be supported by a real-time bi-directional persistent connection with the host system. The bi-directional persistent connection allows interleaving of the chunked data messages from the Web client with the chunked data messages on the Web server on the persistent HTTP tunnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing information on a host computer 106 from a client computer 104 utilizing an intermediate server computer 108 that is connected to the client computer by a network. The host computer transmits a presentation space data stream representing a host screen to the server computer. The server computer creates an HTML document based on the information received from the host computer and transmits the HTML document to the client computer. The client computer creates a Web page based on the HTML document. The Web page includes fields and controls that implement the functionality of the host screens while presenting an improved user interface. A user can create HTML templates that substitute for the automatically created HTML documents for any one or more of the host screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing information on a host computer 106 from a client computer 104 utilizing an intermediate server computer 108 that is connected to the client computer by a network. The host computer transmits a presentation space data stream representing a host screen to the server computer. The server computer creates an HTML document based on the information received from the host computer and transmits the HTML document to the client computer. The client computer creates a Web page based on the HTML document. The Web page includes fields and controls that implement the functionality of the host screens while presenting an improved user interface. A user can create HTML templates that substitute for the automatically created HTML documents for any one or more of the host screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing information on a host computer (104) from a client computer (112) that are connected by a network. The information accessed by the client computer (112) is represented as a plurality of fields in a presentation space data stream (208). The fields and corresponding attribute information in the presentation space data stream (208), as received from the host computer (104), are extracted and stored in field objects contained within a Display control (202). A set of events is provided by the Display control to an application program (204), the events providing information to allow the application program (204) to manage the interaction between an operator and the host computer (104). A set of properties and methods provide the application program (204) with the ability to traverse the field objects and thereby obtain the field information sent from the host computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing information on a host computer 106 from a client computer 104 utilizing an intermediate server computer 108 that is connected to the client computer by a network. The host computer transmits a presentation space data stream representing a host screen to the server computer. The server computer creates an HTML document based on the information received from the host computer and transmits the HTML document to the client computer. The client computer creates a Web page based on the HTML document. The Web page includes fields and controls that implement the functionality of the host screens while presenting an improved user interface. A user can create HTML templates that substitute for the automatically created HTML documents for any one or more of the host screens.

Abstract: A method for preserving the existence of a control during the lifetime of its container application is provided. A naming control is specified in an HTML document prior to specifying the target control. The naming control receives as a parameter a control identifier, which is passed to the class factory of the target control prior to creation of the target control. The class factory maintains a control list, with an entry for each control identifier corresponding to a currently active control. When a Web page is exited, the control is not deleted. Upon returning to the Web page and prior to creating a new control, the control list is checked to determine whether a control with a desired identifier is currently active. If so, a pointer to the corresponding control is returned, rather than create a new control.

Abstract: An interactive help system allows a user to retrieve information concerning how to complete a particular task in an underlying computer program. Upon selecting the help system, the computer system re-sizes the window of the underlying program and generates a help window containing a list of topics that are available. A help window is created beside the underlying program window that lists those steps required to complete a desired task. The help system disables that portion of the underlying program window containing options that are inappropriate for the user to select at that time in order to complete the desired task. In addition, the help system shows the user how to complete the next step in the list of desired steps. Alternatively, the user can have the help system show the user how to perform all the steps required to complete a given task.

Abstract: A method of generating a computer system to determine a sequence of data transfers required to move data from one or more tables in a source database into a corresponding destination table in a relational database. A randomly ordered list of destination tables is created and sorted such that the destination tables are arranged in a least dependent order so that data is moved into tables before data is moved into tables that contain foreign keys.

Abstract: A computer system for creating a semantic object model from an existing relational database schema. The computer system analyzes the catalog information of the relational database schema and creates a semantic object for each table defined in the catalog. For each column defined within a table, a simple value attribute is added to the semantic object created for the table. The system then analyzes the relationship information stored in the catalog to create object link attributes that define relationships between two or more semantic object as well as to create multivalued group attributes and multivalued, simple value attributes. If the database catalog does not include the relational information, the user is prompted to indicate related semantic objects.

Abstract: A computer-based system for allowing a user to create a relational database schema. The system allows a user to create a semantic object data model of the database schema. The semantic object data model is defined by one or more semantic objects, each of which includes one or more attributes that describe a characteristic of the semantic objects. The attributes are defined as being either simple value attributes that describe a single characteristic of the semantic object; group attributes that include one or more member attributes that collectively describe a characteristic of the semantic object; formula attributes that set forth a computation that describes a characteristic of a semantic object; or object link attributes that define a relationship between two or more semantic objects.

Abstract: An object model comprises one or more semantic objects that represent items about which data is stored in a relational database in a computer system. Each semantic object has one or more components that define the data stored for each item. The object model is mapped into a current relational database schema. As a user makes changes to the model the computer system generates a proposed relational database schema, and the differences between the current relational database schema and the proposed relational database schema are determined. The relation database is modified to reflect changes made in the corresponding object model based upon the differences between the current and proposed relational database schemas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic completion of a computer generated screen including a plurality of fields. As the user completes each field in the screen with an alphanumeric string, the alphanumeric string is associated with an identification number. The alphanumeric string entries in the fields of the screen can be represented as a sequence of identification strings. As each screen is completed by the user, the present invention generates a sequence of identification strings representative of the screen. The rows are stored in memory and are used to automatically complete later screens at the user's command. When a user wishes to automatically complete the screen, the fields of the current screen that contain alphanumeric strings are analyzed. Once all of the fields have been analyzed and a sequence of identification numbers formed, the sequence of identification numbers for the current screen is compared to the plurality of sequences of identification numbers for prior screens.

Abstract: A graphical user interface designed as a notebook with tabs used to control operation of multiple applications and multiple operations within the applications. Each page of a notebook represents a different application all within an Object Linking and Embedding (OLE 2.0.TM.) environment. Each page has an associated tab that is used to access the application by clicking on it. A dragging feature allows a user to drag an entire application from one notebook to a second notebook without closing that application. Also this application can be dragged to the desktop and placed in new folder or thrown away. There also are design features which allow the user to change the look of the notebook.

Abstract: A computer-based system for allowing a user to create a relational database schema. The system allows a user to create a semantic object data model of the database schema. The semantic object data model is defined by one or more semantic objects, each of which includes one or more attributes that describe a characteristic of the semantic objects. The attributes are defined as being either simple value attributes that describe a single characteristic of the semantic object; group attributes that include one or more member attributes that collectively describe a characteristic of the semantic object; formula attributes that set forth a computation that describes a characteristic of a semantic object; or object link attributes that define a relationship between two or more semantic objects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and security of a database management system (DBMS) is disclosed. A plurality of query packages are stored at a host DBMS. Generation of the query packages is limited only to those users that have authorization, such as the database administrator of the DBMS. The query packages include a plurality of procedures. Each procedure is a single SQL statement that has been pre-compiled. Each query package also includes an authorization table that enumerates each individual user, or category of user, that can invoke any procedure within the query package. By formulating a plurality of query packages, each package tailored to a particular category of user, security of the data on the DBMS is enhanced. Further, by having static statements that are pre-compiled, access time to the data on the DBMS is significantly reduced. Moreover, the database administrator and users can interactively generate and use the query packages in a user friendly environment.