Abstract: A method for an automated operating system upgrade in an information handling system, from an older version to a newer version including initiating a preparation for the upgrade from an operating system upgrade preparation media. An eligibility of the information handling system for upgrade in response to the preparation is determined. The upgrade proceeds in response to an eligibility determination, otherwise upgrade preparation is terminated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that generates code to perform anticipatory prefetching for data references. During operation, the system receives code to be executed on a computer system. Next, the system analyzes the code to identify data references to be prefetched. This analysis can involve: using a two-phase marking process in which blocks that are certain to execute are considered before other blocks; and analyzing complex array subscripts. Next, the system inserts prefetch instructions into the code in advance of the identified data references. This insertion can involve: dealing with non-constant or unknown stride values; moving prefetch instructions into preceding basic blocks; and issuing multiple prefetches for the same data reference.

Abstract: Techniques are described for preventing customers from receiving faulty code. The techniques involve adding marker code to potentially problematic code portions that are not to be included in a final version of the code. The marker code may include a reference date, such as a first date of testing of the code. Before the reference date, various scanning and/or searching tools may be used to determine a presence of the marker code within the code. Moreover, after this reference date, during running of the code, the marker code may cause immediate and program-wide cessation of the code, and provide a message as to why the cessation has occurred. In this way, the problematic code portion(s) will not be passed to a large number of customers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking execution of a VoiceXML document of a VoiceXML application by a VoiceXML execution client are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes trapping a desired VoiceXML document and executing the trapped document in an execution tracking mode as a function of marker information. The marker information is configured to enable a highlighting of a respective VoiceXML element within a listing of at least a portion of the VoiceXML document on a remote display.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a computer, data, or media system in response to state changes in the computer system. At least one state table having a first dimension and a second dimension is created. At least one programming element is listed along the first dimension and a plurality of states of the computer system are listed along the second dimension. At each intersection of the first dimension and the second dimension is a cell in which an operand is specified for the programming element at each state. For each state change of the computer system, each programming element listed along the first dimension is executed according to the operand listed for a current state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating inter-server communication software in a network are provided. More particularly, the invention is directed to a technique for software updating of servers that reduces the unavailability of network resources due to the update process. In this regard, the method includes the implementation of proxy software in servers that are to be updated. The servers are then selectively updated (e.g. one server at a time) in a manner, using the proxy software, to allow the servers to communicate with one another during the entire update process.

Abstract: Existing program is restructured based on a set of tasks that the existing program executes. A set of tasks is used, in conjunction with related test cases, to verify the correct functioning of the restructured program, and also to restructure the program. The restructuring process involves information about: (i) the tasks for which the original computer program is used, (ii) the inputs (including their valid ranges) to be provided to the program to accomplish the tasks, and (iii) the outputs generated by the program, known but unfixed bugs, etc. Legacy computer programs or applications for which reliable documentation is either not available or inadequate is desirably restructured for improved understanding and maintenance.

Abstract: Techniques for generation of Java macro instructions suitable for use in Java computing environments are disclosed. As such, the techniques can be implemented in a Java virtual machine to efficiently execute Java instructions. As will be appreciated, a Java macro instruction can be substituted for two or more Java Bytecode instructions. This, in turn, reduces the number of Java instructions that are executed by the interpreter. As a result, the performance of virtual machines, especially those operating with limited resources, is improved. A Java macro instruction can be generated for conventional Java instruction sequences or sequences of Java instruction that are provided in a reduced set of instruction. In any case, sequences that are frequently encountered can be replaced by a Java macro instruction. These sequences are typically encountered when Java objects are instantiated, during programming loops, and when a local variables are assigned a value.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates code verification and garbage collection in a platform-independent virtual machine. The system operates by first receiving a code module written in a platform-independent language. Next, the system examines the code module to locate calls to program methods within the code module. The system then transforms the code module so that all operands remaining on the evaluation stack only relate to the called method when the method is called, thereby simplifying verification and garbage collection of the code module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, program, and data structure for updating code in a first and second controllers. The first and second controllers are capable of accessing storage regions in a storage device. The first controller receives a code update and signals the second controller. Access to the first controller is disabled and the code update is applied to the first controller. In response to the signaling, the second controller receives commands directed to all of the storage regions during the code update to the first controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for structuring a procedure for execution in a computer processing environment. The method includes, for example, the step of providing reply-handling logic within the procedure to control execution of the procedure according to a phase parameter. The phase parameter identifies one of a plurality of sub-procedures. The method also includes, for example, the step of identifying within the procedure a call to an external function. A break point is inserted within the procedure at the point of the external function call thereby defining a sub-procedure. The method further includes the step of inserting logic to update the phase parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the use of a software code by a selected application program are disclosed. The method includes detecting an instance of using the code, identifying the application program that is using the code, confirming a conflict between the code and the application, and reporting the conflict to one or more selected parties. Confirmation of the conflict may occur by using a database whose content includes a plurality of selected application programs, along with a corresponding plurality of proper software codes, such as DLL files, which are appropriate for each of the selected application programs to use. A computer workstation or networked computer system may embody the method in the form of instructions stored in a machine-accessible medium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment, determine the control flow relationship between breakpoints and graphically display this relationship. Breakpoints are added to a breakpoint group based on their position within the control flow of a program. In an embodiment, when a control flow construct is selected in the graphical display, the breakpoints associated with the control flow construct are added to a breakpoint group.

Abstract: A computer program that is executable by a computer system for causing the computer system to detect a character subsequent to a double quote mark and adjacent to a string in a double-quoted portion of a pre-processing directive and replace a constant associated with the pre-processing directive with the string is provided.

Abstract: Updating firmware on multiple systems or nodes within a merged networked environment includes providing firmware update code and a firmware update utility to a primary node. The firmware update utility determines the presence of a multi-node partition and detects the partition's configuration. The configuration determination includes determining the location of a remote service processor on each secondary node. The primary node creates an image of the firmware update code and distributes the created image to each of the secondary node service processors over a sideband link. Each of the remote service processors would then restart their respective systems. The node's BIOS detects the presence of the firmware update code on the service processor and forces the node to boot the update code directly. After the firmware update is complete, the firmware update code is deleted. When it subsequent restart occurs, the nodes will boot to the merged state.

Abstract: Trace data streams are generated for tracing target processor activity. Various trace data streams are synchronized using markers called sync points. The sync points provide a unique identifier field and a context to the data that will follow it. All trace data streams may generate a sync point with this unique identifier. These unique identifiers allow synchronization between multiple trace data streams. When multiple trace data streams are on, it is possible that the data input rate may be higher than the data output rate. If synchronization is lost in such a case, there must be a scheme to resynchronize the streams. This invention is a technique for this needed resynchronization.

Abstract: A system and method for determining software maturity, the method comprising the steps of building an uncensored belief distribution from a set of observed test data, building belief distributions based on improvement factors, convoluting the uncensored belief distribution with the belief distribution on improvement factors to form a censored belief distribution. From these belief distributions, a 3-way assessment is made including establishing an a priori belief distribution to assess a level of software maturity.

Abstract: A method of linking a plurality of object files to generate an executable program, the method comprises identifying in the object files at least one routine to be locked into a cache when the program is executed, locating said routine at a set of memory addresses which man onto a set of cache locations and introducing into the executable program gaps at other sets of memory addresses which map onto the same set of cache locations.

Abstract: A program includes expressions written in a process-based language. A process kernel executes sets of operational semantics rules governing the meanings of the expressions in the program. A first expression is parsed. The first expression describes that a process is a choice of two processes. The first process of the two processes expresses that a first query is submitted to a queue, after which the first process continues with a first set of actions. The second process of the two processes expresses that a second query is submitted to the queue, after which the second process continues with a second set of actions. The first expression reduces to a second expression. The second expression describes that a third query is submitted to the queue after which the first process runs in parallel with the second process if the third query is in canonical form.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program utilizing one or more self-determining behavior (SDB) nodes. An SDB node may include associated generation code for programmatically generating execution-time code associated with the SDB node. The generation code associated with the SDB node may programmatically generate or modify the execution-time code based on or in response to any of various factors.