Abstract: Techniques are provided for using an intermediate cache between the shared cache of a database server and the non-volatile storage of a storage system. The intermediate cache may be local to the machine upon which the database server is executing, or may be implemented within the storage system. In one embodiment, the database system includes both a DB server-side intermediate cache, and a storage-side intermediate cache. The caching policies used to populate the intermediate cache are intelligent, taking into account factors that may include which database object an item belongs to, the item type of the item, a characteristic of the item; or the database operation in which the item is involved.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and means for automatically identifying content to he presented are provided. In particular, content may he automatically identified by first determining a duration during which a user will be performing an activity and determining a mood description of the activity. Characteristics of a plurality of the entertainment content that include length of each of the plurality of entertainment content and a mood description of each of the plurality of entertainment content may be retrieved from memory. The retrieved characteristics may then be compared with the duration of the activity and the mood description of the activity. Next, entertainment content from the plurality of entertainment content to be presented during the activity may be automatically selected. Finally, the entertainment content may be presented to the user.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for isolating faults in a software program by providing at least two code paths that are capable of performing the same operation. When a fault occurs while the one of the code paths is being used to perform an operation, data that indicates the circumstances under which the fault occurred is stored. For example, a fault-recording mechanism may store data that indicates the entities that were involved in the failed operation. Because they were involved in an operation that experienced a fault, one or more of those entities may be “quarantined”. When subsequent requests arrive to perform the operation, a check may be performed to determine whether the requested operation involves any of the quarantined entities. If the requested operation involves a quarantined entity, a different code path is used to perform the operation, rather than the code path from which the entity is quarantined.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for isolating faults in a software program by providing at least two code paths that are capable of performing the same operation. When a fault occurs while the one of the code paths is being used to perform an operation, data that indicates the circumstances under which the fault occurred is stored. For example, a fault-recording mechanism may store data that indicates the entities that were involved in the failed operation. Because they were involved in an operation that experienced a fault, one or more of those entities may be “quarantined”. When subsequent requests arrive to perform the operation, a check may be performed to determine whether the requested operation involves any of the quarantined entities. If the requested operation involves a quarantined entity, a different code path is used to perform the operation, rather than the code path from which the entity is quarantined.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for using an intermediate cache between the shared cache of a database server and the non-volatile storage of a storage system. The intermediate cache may be local to the machine upon which the database server is executing, or may be implemented within the storage system. In one embodiment, the database system includes both a DB server-side intermediate cache, and a storage-side intermediate cache. The caching policies used to populate the intermediate cache are intelligent, taking into account factors that may include which database object an item belongs to, the item type of the item, a characteristic of the item; or the database operation in which the item is involved.

Abstract: A process has been developed which allows contact between levels of interconnect metallization structures, to occur without the use of via holes, etched in interlevel insulator layers. The process features creation of a raised tungsten plug structure, used to provide contact between underlying active device regions and an overlying interconnect metallization structure. The tungsten plug structure is formed by photolithographic masking and dry etching procedures, thus avoiding increasing the size of a tungsten seam, in the center of the plug structure. In addition the tungsten definition process, also results in a raised plug structure, allowing subsequent contact of interconnect metallization levels to proceed without the use of etched via holes in interlevel insulator layers.