Abstract: A method and system for leasing storage locations in a distributed processing system is provided. Consistent with this method and system, a client requests access to storage locations for a period of time (lease period) from a server, such as the file system manager. Responsive to this request, the server invokes a lease period algorithm, which considers various factors to determine a lease period during which time the client may access the storage locations. After a lease is granted, the server sends an object to the client that advises the client of the lease period and that provides the client with behavior to modify the lease, like canceling the lease or renewing the lease. The server supports concurrent leases, exact leases, and leases for various types of access. After all leases to a storage location expire, the server reclaims the storage location.

Abstract: A list storing unit stores a plurality of lists, each of which includes a plurality of data and represents a search result of a search in a database. At least a piece of the data in one of the lists is included in another one of the lists. A file name that includes information used for searching data from the database is added to each list. A feature extracting unit extracts features such as similarities and differences between the lists. A feature displaying unit displays extracted features on the screen of a terminal along with the file names. Thus, the features of the lists corresponding to the information are quickly grasped. For example, in a sequence database search, although a data amount included in the lists is huge, similarities among lists can be analyzed in a short time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for displaying a list of files, selecting one of the files, and executing a program. The present invention displays a list of file names according to a selected title without specifying a directory. The present invention provides a program execution method that allows an executable program to be optionally combined with a file to be handled or executed by the program. The present invention provides a method of displaying items and relationships among the items in a window on a display, to visually guide a user in selecting an executable program and a file to be handled or executed by the program. The method or apparatus displays a list of titles in a first window A according to file list records. When a user selects one of the titles in the first window A, the method or apparatus displays a list of file names in a second window B according to one of the file list records corresponding to the selected title.

Abstract: A hierarchic disk array data storage system has multiple storage disks that define a physical storage space and a RAID management system that maps the physical storage space into two virtual storage spaces. The RAID-level virtual storage space presents the physical storage space as mirror and parity RAID areas where the mirror RAID areas store data according to RAID Level 1 and the parity RAID areas store data according to RAID Level 5. The application-level virtual storage space presents the physical storage space as multiple virtual blocks which can be associated with mirror and parity RAID areas. The RAID management system migrates the virtual blocks between the mirror and parity RAID areas to optimize performance and reliability. To select virtual blocks for migration from mirror to parity RAID areas, a frequency distribution table is created to characterize the virtual blocks according to a predetermined distribution criteria.

Abstract: Method and system for selectively retrieving information contained in a stored document set using a non-literal, or "fuzzy", search strategy. A text string query is transmitted (200) to a computer processor, and a dissimilarity value D.sub.i is assigned (208) to selected ones of stored text strings representative of information contained in a stored document set, based upon a first set of rules (106). A set of retrieved text strings representative of stored information and related to the text string query is generated (212), based upon a second set of rules (107). Each of the retrieved text strings has an associated dissimilarity value D.sub.i, which is a function of at least one rule R.sub.n from the first set of rules (106) used to retrieve the text string and a weight value w.sub.n associated with that rule R.sub.n. The retrieved text strings are displayed (216) preferably in an order based on their associated dissimilarity value D.sub.i.