Abstract: The use of a high speed cache memory may be selectively controlled when a data processing task is interrupted in response to an interrupt signal, in order to prevent the interrupt from chilling the cache when insufficient performance enhancement will be realized. Disturbing the cache memory during performance of an interrupting task is prevented, thereby increasing the hit ratio of the cache when the interrupted task is resumed. Cache control information may be incorporated into a program status vector or program status word which is loaded into a program status register on occurrence of an interrupt.

Abstract: This invention relates to data processing methods and systems. More particularly, this invention relates to database generation, management, and handling programs and systems which are capable of multitask processing. The present invention provides four facilities for enhancing operation of such programs, namely a resource serialization or enque facility; an auto commit facility; a performance monitoring facility; and a checkpoint insertion facility.

Abstract: An adaptation of a computer operating system manages storage of EA (extended attribute) data in association with object names, the latter representing paths in direct access storage devices (e.g. directories and sub-directories), and data files stored in such paths. EA data stored in association with a data file name can be accessed either jointly with or separate from the respective data file. EA data comprises one or more variable length sets of bytes stored in disk drive sectors assigned by the operating system. The location of each set is determinable by means of an EA handle that is stored in a path table containing the respective object name. Function calls from application programs to the operating system use either a file name or EA handle to access EA data. Function calls specifying only an EA handle allow EA information to be stored, modified or read without specific association to or linkage with file data.

Abstract: A method, system and program for effectively managing class method names by collecting representations of all of the names and additional supporting information in a single data structure. Management is accomplished by the operation of an algorithm in the memory of a processor which employs two mechanisms. First, the class method procedure tables are initialized by class specific procedures. This allows applications to access the methods without requiring externalization of the method means. The information provided by the specific procedures is retained by the class object and is accessible via class methods whenever the information is required. Second, any additional supporting information for methods, in particular the offset in the method procedure table for each method, is recorded in a single externally named data structure. The combination of the two mechanisms eliminates the requirement of external names on a per method basis.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing computer generated message streams. Electronic messages containing displayable message information are parsed according to a set of parsing rules. The resulting tokens are organized into parse state records and stored for further analysis. Current and previous parse state records are analyzed by the application of inference rules to develop a structured message. Content analysis of the structured or unstructured message is accomplished by application of a second set of inference rules. Content analysis attempts to select an automated response for transmission to the message generating computer system. Content analysis employs a binary search through a subset of inference rules loaded for a particular system. Changes to operating system or operator causes a different subset of rules to be loaded.

Abstract: A method of scanning and detecting format code changes is disclosed. The method is preferably utilized in a data processing system which includes a central processing unit, a random access memory, a bulk storage device, a display device and a printer. The method scans a document for format controls, detects a format control, retrieves information about the format characteristics in effect before and after that control, organizes that format characteristic information in a menu and displays that menu to the user. This method minimizes the amount of time spent editing format controls in a large document by fully informing the user of the underlying format characteristics associated with each format control.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading BIOS stored on a direct access storage device in a personal computer system, the system comprising direct access storage device, and a processor card removably mounted to a planar board. The processor card comprises a system processor and ROM memory, while the planar board includes a main memory. A master boot record is stored on the direct access storage device. The master boot record contains a data segment and an executable code segment, the data segment representing the hardware configuration of the personal computer system. A first portion of BIOS included in the ROM memory initializes the system and causes loading of the master boot record into main memory. This first portion of BIOS further compares the hardware configuration data of the master boot record with the hardware configuration data in the ROM memory to verify compatibility with the system processor.

Abstract: A hypertext data processing system wherein data sets participating in the hypertext document may be edited, the data processing system inserting tags into the data sets at locations corresponding to the hypertext links to create a file which is editable by an editor and the data processing system removing the tags, generating a revised data set and updating the link information after the editing process.

Abstract: A method is described for encoding and decoding stored units of data representing entity/relationship (E/R) data, function calls, and file data by including a prefix with each unit of data which includes a length code, an action code, and a unit identifier code. The data units with prefixes are organized into a data stream by using rules described in a formal grammar. The data stream will typically be transmitted to another program inside the computer or to another computer--host or PWS. When received the data stream is parsed back into data units by reversing the encoding process. After the data units are recovered the appropriate action is taken to process the units. E/R data is entered into or updated in a repository, function calls are passed on to an E/R repository function or other program along with the specified parameters for execution, and file data is stored in standard files.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for providing each thread of execution (28, 30, 32 and 34) of a multi-threading digital data processing environment with private copies of each set of initialization data (regions 60-1 through 60-4 and 62-1 through 62-4) that is required by procedures (44, 46) which are executed in the context of more than one of the threads. The regions (duplicate data copies) are generated from templates (56, 58) that include a base or original copy of the required set of initialization data. The templates are formulated during operation of the digital data processing system to compile, link and load the procedures and are each identified by a region descriptor (72) which includes a region index (a non-negative integer) and the memory address of the template. Regions are created when the initialization data of the region is required by a procedure that is executing within the context of a thread (i.e.

Abstract: A computer/software system is described which enables a user to produce and display an audio/visual application using a library of image, audio and story objects. The system creates a first library data file which includes a list of application files. It then creates a bill of materials listing for each application file, each listing comprising a first field area for an object name and a second field area for a path definition to where said object is listed in another application bill of materials and physically exists. The system then runs the application and accesses all objects listed therein, any object with a path listing, being accessed from the file indicated by the path definition. A method of searching, which employs the path definitions is also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a set of machine level instructions that perform primitive operations on singly or doubly linked lists. The instructions allow linked lists to be manipulated in such a way as to allow multiple processes in a parallel computing environment to access shared lists without the need for additional synchronization. Furthermore, the present invention does not place restrictions on the location of forward and backward pointer within the linked list elements.

Abstract: A process that enables a distributed compute network to operate with a network operating system software program. The distributed computer network includes a computer server unit which has output ports and a central processing unit that controls the distributed computer network. The distributed computer network also includes a plurality of computer workstations which are electrically connected to the computer server unit. The first step of the process beings by searching the computer server unit to find an unoccupied area of memory. The second step of the process includes loading the network operating system software program onto the unoccupied area of memory of the computer server unit. The third step of the process includes reconfiguring the computer server unit output ports to eliminate memory address problems with the plurality of computer workstations.

Abstract: A Unit of Work object class for an object oriented database management system provides concurrent processing through Unit of Work levels and instances while maintaining the integrity of the data in the database. Each new Unit of Work assigned to a task is an instance of the Unit of Work object class. A Unit of Work manager controls each step such that manipulation of the data occurs to the copies at that particular level for that particular instance. Only after all levels have been completed satisfactorily will a "Commit" occur to the data in the database. If completion is not satisfactory, Rollback of the levels occur, thus preserving data integrity. The Unit of Work manager can also switch control between Unit of Work instances, thus permitting simultaneous performance of tasks.

Abstract: A tiered device driver system includes a SCSI generic device driver (SGDD) in one tier and one or more SCSI device-class drivers (SDCD) in another tier. In response to a request to access a SCSI device, the operating system creates a request packet that is passed to the appropriate SDCD. Such SDCD creates a generic request packet and associated data structures that contain information specific to the SCSI device being accessed. The generic request packet is passed on to a SCSI generic device driver (SGDD) that creates a SCSI ABIOS request block which it transmits to a SCSI adapter for accessing the desired SCSI device. The SGDD provides functions common to the SDCDs.

Abstract: Method for optically scanning an object comprising a flat support for holding the object; a linear optical sensor held in a fixed position on one side of the support; a light source held in a fixed position on the other side of the support for projecting light through the object toward the optical sensor; and a drive mechanism for moving the object along one direction to successive scanning positions. The user may create custom application computer programs for performing desired image scanning and analysis on an object. To enable this, the system stores software tools each capable of performing an image scanning or image analysis function, stores an interpreter program corresponding to a natural language identifiers for the functions, and provides an interactive computer environment for the user to specify a sequence of software tools using the natural language identifiers to be executed to perform the desired image scanning and analysis.

Abstract: Method for sorting, in place, objects in an array of sequentially addressed locations into two partitions, the first partition containing all of the even addressed objects and the second partition containing all of the odd addressed objects. In accordance with the method, an array containing a number of elements equaling an even power of two is split into two partitions, the first partition containing the contents of the first half of the locations and the second partition containing the contents of the second half of the locations. Then, the odd addressed locations in the first partition are exchanged with the even addressed locations in the second partition. Then, if a partition only contains two elements, the partition has been sorted, however, if there are more than two elements in the partition, control is transferred to the beginning recursively so that, now, the partition is treated as the array.

Abstract: A compiler maintains a library of sharable program structures generated in response to instantiations of a generic program structure, along with characteristics of parameters which were used in generating the sharable program structure. In response to an instantiation of a generic program structure, the compiler generates information relating to the characteristics and usage of each parameter which are used in connection with the instantiation. The compiler then compares that information to the corresponding information associated with the sharable program structures in the library. If the library contains a sharable program structure whose parameter information compares satisfactorily, that sharable program structure is used in connection with further operations in connection with the instantiation.

Abstract: The system for organizing communication among applications in a data processing network includes data bases and data base control means. The data bases include method entries, message entries, and class entries. Method entries refer to commands or other mechanisms used to invoke applications. Message entries each represent a type of operation which can be performed on instances in a class which correspond to that message and identify a method map which contains one or more references to method entries stored in the data base. Class entries, each of which is unique in a data base, contain information about classes consisting of instances which have common characteristics as well as identifying a corresponding group of message entries.

Abstract: Apparatus for scheduling at least two concurrent transactions accessing a shared data is provided. When a lock request is granted, the apparatus provides for constructing a history file for the shared data to show each data accessing transaction, and also provides for constructing a serialization graph with each node denoting an active transaction, and each directed edge denoting a dependency between two transactions. The serialization graph is searched for a cycle formed by transactions, and if any is found, the transactions are aborted and restarted.