Abstract: A common general parser and applications program interface for use in a data processing system. The parser encodes data from a program for transmission onto a channel and decodes incoming data for handoff to an applications program. Initialization of the parser includes allocating private storage for the individual data items to be encoded or decoded. The program requests data that is received by the parser or transmits data onto the channel by issuing a call to the parser. The call identifies the parse table to be used by the parser. In response, the parser encodes of decodes the data in accordance with the identified parse table to extract the individual data items. The parser stores the individual data items in their respective allocated storage areas for the program during decoding or extracts the data items from the storage for encoding.

Abstract: The response time of an automated optical disk library is improved by writing object delete requests to a deleted objects table before actually physically deleting those objects. By collecting object delete requests in a list of pending deletes for each volume in the library the number of necessary mounts are reduced. The delete requests in a list of pending deletes for a given volume are physically deleted just prior to performing a write or defrag request for that volume. The list of pending deletes for that volume are then deleted from the deleted objects table. During idle periods a predetermined number of pending delete requests will be performed for the currently mounted volume. If there are no pending delete requests for the currently mounted volume then a predetermined number of pending delete requests will be performed on the opposite side of the currently mounted volume.

Abstract: A synchronous processor unit is divided into two sections, and each separately clocked by different clock signals. One section, containing an instruction execution unit and memory for storage of instructions and data, is clocked at a higher frequency, while the other section, containing those elements of a processor unit less frequently used, are clocked with a slower-frequencied clock. The elements of each section are intercoupled by separate and independent data buses, and selectively to one another by a buffer unit. The clock signals used by both sections are produced by a clock-generating unit which also monitors the instructions being executed by the instruction execution unit. When an instruction requiring communication between the two sections is detected, at least one predetermined transition of each of the fast and slow clocks are synchronized, and during this synchronization the separate buses of each section are coupled to one another by the buffer unit for information exchanges therebetween.

Abstract: In a distributed network comprising a plurality of peer (as opposed to master-slave) computers, a method of file shadowing allows each peer computer to maintain copies of data entries originated by the other peer computers in near-real time. Each computer assigns a unique serial number to each entry, and forwards each entry with the serial number and an identification of itself to all the other computers. Each computer informs each other computer of the highest sequential serial number received from it, and each computer resends to each other computer all entries having serial numbers higher than that acknowledged by each other computer.

Abstract: A method of searching and maintaining data elements in memory which are stored in a doubly-linked list. A logically related address component array is used to access data elements in the list. The list is divided into list segments which are dynamically maintained to decrease overall access time.

Abstract: An electronic printing system with plural hard disks for storing system files in which upgraded software together with software identification data is written to a first of the disks, the system booted from the first disk, and the upgraded software thereafter migrated from the first disks to the other disks.