Abstract: A computer network has a printing device with an associated print server and print queue, each having a designated name. A user selects the printing device to be configured, and it is determined whether the user wishes to create a new print server name to be associated with the printing device. If the user wishes to do so, the user inputs a unique print server name. If the user does not wish to do so, the user selects a print server name from a compiled list of existing print server names. Thereafter, it is determined whether the user wishes to create a new print queue name to be associated with the print server name and the printing device. If the user wishes to create a new print queue name, a default print queue name is created and it is determined whether the user wishes to accept the created print queue name. If the user does not wish to accept the created print queue name, the user inputs a unique print queue name.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing testing of shared memory contained in a multi-processor computer system after reset. The method involves the steps of performing a wake-up procedure by a bootstrap processor on the other processors. Thus, the other processors can assist in testing the shared memory. Next, respective portions of the shared memory are allocated to each of the processors. Finally, upon completion of testing of its respective portion of the shared memory, each processor sets its unique storage unit synchronizing the processors at completion.

Abstract: An optimizing compiler for producing executable programs from code, high level languages compiles the code whilst generating data from which a callgraph may be constructed, and then recompiles the procedures identified in the callgraph in an order which reverses the topology of the callgraph while monitoring usage of hardware registers. Procedures which are rarely or never called, or result in termination of the program, are identified, and are modified if needed so that if called, registers which they may modify are saved prior to execution of the procedure and subsequently restored if necessary, so that in a calling procedure, subsequently recompiled, no account need be taken of possible register usage by the called procedure. This makes additional registers available to the calling procedure, and enables register storing and restoring which must otherwise be associated with the callsite to be eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrently operating multiple operating system environments on a hardware platform. A dominant personality server is provided to control basic system configuration and resources. Subdominant servers are provided to support applications for other operating systems. Binary compatibility is supported for each dominant and subdominant operating system personality. Personality neutral services are extracted from each operating system environment and coalesced in personality neutral servers. Interprocess communications are implemented using defined object oriented and procedural interfaces. Server response and conflict resolution are handled by the dominant personality neutral server. Any supported operating system can be the dominant server by selection of the operator.

Abstract: A method, implemented as a computer program in a digital computer system, for interrupting, modifying and/or controlling the boot process of a computer, automatically (without manual intervention) across a computer network. When a network manager needs to install software, test, maintain or gather information concerning one or more of the computer systems on the network, this invention permits the network manager to take control of the networked computer during its boot process, and in so doing to reconfigure both the networked computer's hardware and software, and to do so remotely. When fully implemented an entire network may be automatically controlled and tested remotely, all networked computers simultaneously or in sequence. An important improvement over methods of modifying the boot process which require manual intervention on individual computers or which require the use of expensive special purpose hardware devices which must be installed within each networked computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system in a computer system for creating a new file system object. The method and system operates under the control of an operating system installed on the computer system. The method and system displays a list of types of filesystem objects that may be created. The method and system subsequently receives input indicating that a user has selected a displayed filesystem object type. The method and system then creates a new file system object having the selected type.

Abstract: A laptop computer system includes a protected mode microprocessor capable of operating in restricted and unrestricted modes, and an arrangement which in response to a predetermined condition saves information from the processor and then forcibly switches the processor to its unrestricted mode of operation. When running a multi-tasking operating system where an application program is being executed in a restricted mode, a suspend/resume operation can be carried out in which the system is substantially powered down and then powered back up, and will resume the interrupted application with the restricted mode back in effect. Further, set-up changes such as adjustment of the processor speed can be made without exiting the application program running in the restricted mode.

Abstract: A global resource management system has a plurality of computer systems interconnected via a network and a global resource data base stored in a global memory connected to the network. Each of the computer systems has a processor, a local memory, an input device configured to receive a configuration task to be performed on the computer systems in the network, a local interface for interconnecting the processor, the local memory, and the input device, and a global resource management system stored in the local memory and driven by the processor. The global resource management system of each computer system includes both a task manager and a reconciliator. The task manager forwards the configuration task to other computer systems for execution thereon. Moreover, the task manager stores the identities of any nonresponsive computer systems along with a configuration action that corresponds to the unperformed task in the global resource data base in the global memory.

Abstract: A method of updating a software code in a cable communication system (10) involves the steps of receiving a notification (100) by a cable access unit (30). Next, the cable access unit (30) receives (110) the software code. After receiving (110) the software code the CAU (30) resets (114) and reboots using the software code.

Abstract: A method for identifying errors in program functions in a program interface found in a header file for the program interface and for identifying errors in program functions in a program interface found in an internal header file and a related public declaration header file for the program interface is provided. In the preferred embodiment, a header file is parsed, and parsing errors are recorded. A test application designed to call each program function in a dynamic link library is generated using information obtained through parsing. The test application is compiled, and compilation errors are recorded. The test application is executed, and errors identified through execution are recorded.

Abstract: A human oriented object programming system provides an interactive and dynamic process for the incremental building of computer programs which facilitates the development of complex computer programs such as operating systems and large applications with graphic user interfaces (GUIs). The program is modeled as a collection of units called components. A component represents a single compilable language element such as a class or a function. The three major functionality are the database, the compiler and the build mechanism. The database stores the components and properties. The compiler, along with compiling the source code of a property, is responsible for calculating the dependencies associated with a component. The build mechanism uses properties of components along with the compiler generated dependencies to correctly and efficiently sequence the compilation of components during a build process.

Abstract: A shared registration DLL and configuration data files that are used by setup programs and their corresponding application programs to register configuration information in a registry and to un-register configuration information from a registry. The shared registration DLL simplifies writing and synchronizing configuration information registration routines in a setup program and in its corresponding application program. The shared registration DLL allows for specifying relative file system pathnames to the application and to application files, rather than requiring file system pathnames to be fully specified. The shared registration DLL allows for configuration information registered previously by an older version of an application to be stored in the registry when a newer version of the application is installed, and to be restored when the newer version is removed from the computer system.

Abstract: A method for testing the completion of a command issued earlier in a multiprocessing system having a plurality of nodes. During an initialization phase, each command has been identified by a handle and a record containing the task to be performed asynchronously had been established. When a request for checking the completion of a command is issued, the pre-established record is simply checked for location of last task executed and completed. If the last or most current task is not the last task before the completion of the total command, the user application can choose to either continue the operation of command processing or permanently or temporarily abandon it.

Abstract: A method for a computer compiler for an object-oriented programming language for implementing virtual functions and virtual base classes is provided. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the data structure layout of an object includes a virtual function table pointer, a virtual base table pointer, occurrences of each non-virtual base class, the data members of the class, and occurrences of each virtual base class. If a class introduces a virtual function member and the class has a non-virtual base class with a virtual function table pointer, then the class shares the virtual function table pointer of the non-virtual base class that is first visited in a depth-first, left-to-right traversal of the inheritance tree. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, each instance of a given class shares a set of virtual function tables and virtual base tables for that class.

Abstract: A master microprocessor downloads program codes to a slave microprocessor which does not require a read-only memory ROM containing any instruction codes. While downloading, the slave microprocessor reads the program instructions to execute from a register, which is written to by the master microprocessor. The execution of these instructions causes the slave microprocessor to write program instructions to its RAM which will be executed later, in normal operation. The slave microprocessor has a handshaked bus which causes it to terminate a read from the register only after the master microprocessor has written to it. Logic, preferably a programmable array logic (PAL) device, decodes addresses and generates the "READY" handshake bus signal for the slave microprocessor. The cost of the slave microprocessor is reduced since a bootloader ROM which may be embedded internal or external to the slave microprocessor integrated circuit chip is not required.

Abstract: The process of formatting source code is improved by the use of different nesting pitches for different nesting levels, by the use of different pitches for the same indentation level in different sections of the code, and by the use of one or more maximum indentation amounts. These three improvements enable the formatter to increase the amount of source code that may be presented to a viewer in a given presentation area, such as a computer screen or sheet of paper, while largely maintaining or even improving the visual clarity of the presentation.

Abstract: Techniques used in testing software are described. A test generator produces a source program used to test two or more compilers using a differential testing technique. The test generator includes a grammar with added semantic constraints to minimize the generation of non-conforming source programs. The source program is a conforming source program conforming to constraints included in a programming language standard. By using properties of a conforming source code, a differential testing technique is described in which a test failure indicates that one or more of the compilers is not processing the source program correctly in accordance with the programming language standard. If a test failure is detected, the source program causing the test failure is reduced using various reduction and simplification techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronously transmitting data between devices operating at different frequencies that have a P/Q integer ratio relationship. The apparatus allows one or more device(s) operating at a high frequency to synchronously exchange data with one or more device(s) operating at a low frequency. The low and high frequencies have a P/Q integer ratio relationship of:low frequency=(P/Q).times.high frequency;where P and Q represent integer values, P is less than Q, and Q is not necessarily an integer multiple of P. A P/Q clock generator generates one or both of the high and low frequency clocks according to the P/Q frequency ratio. An interface controller receives the high frequency clock and the P and Q values as inputs and generates a high-to-low data transfer signal for enabling data transfers from high frequency to low frequency devices. The interface controller also generates a low-to-high frequency data transfer signal for enabling data transfers from low to high frequency devices.

Abstract: A software system is defined by a tree of system models which are written in a functional language. During a build of the software system, the functions are interpreted and the results of the expensive expressions are cached. Each function is examined before interpretation to see if it has been evaluated before. If a function has already been evaluated, the cached result is retrieved by the evaluator and the time which would have been spent re-evaluating the function is saved.

Abstract: A method of determining a pattern of usage of a computer system. The method may be performed by a computer (1) having a bootable writable storage medium and (2) executing a usage-monitor program stored in the boot-up portion of the storage medium. The method may include signaling the presence of the usage-monitor program and overwriting the usage-monitor program with another computer program or a standard boot-sector. Alternatively, the method may be performed by a computer hard disk drive having (1) a writable storage medium, (2) firmware, and (3) executing a usage-monitor program stored in the firmware. This method may include writing information representative of at least one command sent to the computer hard disk drive on the storage medium.