Abstract: The current document is directed to an improved communications protocol that encompasses XOR-based forward error correction and that uses dynamic check-packet graphs that provide for efficient recovery of packets for which transmission has failed. During the past 20 years, XOR-based forward-error-correction (“FEC”) communications protocols have been developed to provide reliable multi-packet message transmission with relatively low latencies and computational complexity. These XOR-based FEC communications protocols, however, are associated with a significant amount of redundant-data transmission to achieve reliable multi-packet message transmission. The currently disclosed XOR-based FEC communications protocol employs dynamic, sparse check-packet graphs that provide for receiver-side packet recovery with significantly less redundant-data transmission.

Abstract: To promote an image, an identification of at least one of an symbol name and an existing symbol value associated with the symbol name is received. An identification of a new symbol value is also received. It is then determined that a binary file that is a component of an unpromoted image is to be modified, wherein the image has previously been compiled and linked. The binary file is read to find occurrences of at least one of the symbol name or the existing symbol value in the binary file. The existing symbol value is replaced with the new symbol value to promote the image. The image is promoted without recompiling or relinking the binary file.