Abstract: A method and system for streaming software applications to a client uses an application server having a library with the application files stored therein. A streaming manager is configured to send the application files to a client as a plurality of streamlets, each streamlet corresponding to a particular data block in a respective application file. A streaming prediction engine is provided to identify at least one streamlet which is predicted to be most appropriate to send to a given client at a particular time in accordance with a prediction model reflecting the manner in which the application files are loaded and used by the application. In the preferred implementation, the application files are preprocessed and stored as a set of compressed streamlets, each of which corresponds to a file data block having a size equal to a code page size, such as 4k, used during file reads by an operating system expected to be present on a client system.

Abstract: Executable software sent from an application service provider to a client computer can be arranged as a bundle of executable code blocks that are used during initialization of a group of applications (at least one initialization block from each application being included in the bundle). The bundle can include code for applications that are subscribed to by a user as well as for applications not subscribed to. As the subscribed applications are executed, usage data sent to a server may be monitored to determine unsubscribed applications that may be of interest to the user. Subscription offers may be automatically generated and sent to the user in response to processing of the usage data. Transmission efficiency of the code blocks may be improved by exchanging identification codes between the server and client to determine code blocks already present at the client.

Abstract: An application is preprocessed for use in an application streaming environment by dividing each file in the application into blocks corresponding to the code page block size used by the operating system. Each block is compressed, and the compressed blocks from all of the files are packaged into a repository which permits specific blocks to be extracted. The repository and a specification for the application's file structure are combined into a streaming application package which can be distributed to servers supporting the streaming of the application to a client. The application package can also include environmental install information indicating changes introduced to the computer system by installation of the application on the computer system, a startup set indicating those blocks which are sufficient for execution of the application to be initiated and progress to a designated startup point, and a predictive model suitable for use by a streaming server.

Abstract: A method and system for executing a streamed application on a client system utilizes a virtual file system installed in the client which is configured to appear to the operating system as a local storage device containing all of the application files required by the application. Prior to streaming, the application files are broken up into streamlets corresponding generally to various portions of the application files and these streamlets are delivered to the client by the server, preferably using a predictive algorithm to determine an optimal transmission order. After an initial set of streamlets is received, the application is executed from the virtual file system. File loads issued by the operating system to the virtual file system are translated to determine which streamlets correspond to the load request and the appropriate data is returned.

Abstract: Application files are preprocessed for use in an application streaming environment by dividing each file in the installed application into blocks corresponding to the code page block size used when the application files are loaded by the operation system, such as 4 k. Each block is compressed and the compressed blocks from all of the files are packaged into a repository which permits specific blocks to be extracted. The repository a specification for the application's file structure are combined into a streaming application package which can be distributed to servers supporting the streaming of the application to a client.

Abstract: Executable software sent from an application service provider to a client computer can be arranged as a bundle of executable code blocks that are used during initialization of a group of applications (at least one initialization block from each application being included in the bundle). The bundle can include code for applications that are subscribed to by a user as well as for applications not subscribed to. As the subscribed applications are executed, usage data sent to a server may be monitored to determine unsubscribed applications that may be of interest to the user. Subscription offers may be automatically generated and sent to the user in response to processing of the usage data. Transmission efficiency of the code blocks may be improved by exchanging identification codes between the server and client to determine code blocks already present at the client.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming software applications to a client uses an application server having a library with the application files stored therein. A streaming manager is configured to send the application files to a client as a plurality of streamlets, each streamlet corresponding to a particular data block in a respective application file. A streaming prediction engine is provided to identify at least one streamlet which is predicted to be most appropriate to send to a given client at a particular time in accordance with a prediction model reflecting the manner in which the application files are loaded and used by the application. In the preferred implementation, the application files are preprocessed and stored as a set of compressed streamlets, each of which corresponds to a file data block having a size equal to a code page size, such as 4k, used during file reads by an operating system expected to be present on a client system.

Abstract: A method and system for executing a streamed application on a client system utilizes a virtual file system installed in the client which is configured to appear to the operating system as a local storage device containing all of the application files required by the application. Prior to streaming, the application files are broken up into streamlets corresponding generally to various portions of the application files and these streamlets are delivered to the client by the server, preferably using a predictive algorithm to determine an optimal transmission order. After an initial set of streamlets is received, the application is executed from the virtual file system. File loads issued by the operating system to the virtual file system are translated to determine which streamlets correspond to the load request and the appropriate data is returned.