Abstract: An interactive system for debugging programs in which a persistent data base system responds to update queries containing debugging information from a debugging information source and to read queries on the debugging information from an interactive interface. The interactive interface produces the read queries in response to inputs from users and formats the results of the read queries as required by the user. One source of inputs is a standard Web browser for which the interactive interface functions as a Web server. The system also includes a command channel by which the source of debugging information receives commands from the interactive interface. In one embodiment, the command channel is implemented in the data base. In a disclosed implementation, the source of debugging information provides memory debugging information. Also disclosed are techniques for using an automatic memory management system to reduce memory fragmentation and heap footprint size.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing secondary power to aircraft systems. In one embodiment, an aircraft system architecture for providing power to an environmental control system includes an electric generator operably coupled to a jet engine. The jet engine can be configured to provide propulsive thrust to the aircraft, and the electric generator can be configured to receive shaft power from the jet engine. The environmental control system can be configured to provide outside air to a passenger cabin of the aircraft in the absence of bleed air from the jet engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing secondary power to aircraft systems. In one embodiment, an aircraft system architecture for providing power to an environmental control system includes an electric generator operably coupled to a jet engine. The jet engine can be configured to provide propulsive thrust to the aircraft, and the electric generator can be configured to receive shaft power from the jet engine. The environmental control system can be configured to provide outside air to a passenger cabin of the aircraft in the absence of bleed air from the jet engine.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing dynamically allocated memory. Portions of memory which are available for allocation have additional information stored in association with each portion which indicates whether the portion has been previously identified as being prematurely freed. In addition, a checksum is stored with each portion of memory. In response to a request for deallocation of a portion of memory, the portion of memory is not deallocated if it is identified as having been prematurely freed. Otherwise, the a checksum is calculated for the portion and it is freed. In response to an allocation request, a candidate portion of memory is identified for allocation and a checksum is calculated for the candidate portion. If the calculated checksum does not match a checksum previously stored for the candidate portion, the portion is identified as having been prematurely freed and is not returned for allocation.

Abstract: A memory manager comprises a memory allocator and a garbage collector. The memory allocator is configured to allocate memory for objects within a heap on behalf of a process, generate a heap map comprising a plurality of heap map entries, wherein each heap map entry of the plurality of heap map entries includes an address of an object allocated within the heap, and provide the heap map to the garbage collector. The garbage collector is configured to generate a mark list identifying one or more objects within the heap using the heap map, wherein the addresses of the one or more objects correspond to data values specified within an address space of the process, and to free a given object previously allocated in the heap if the mark list indicates that an address of the given object does not correspond to a data value specified within the address space.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing secondary power to aircraft systems. In one embodiment, an aircraft system architecture for providing power to an environmental control system includes an electric generator operably coupled to a jet engine. The jet engine can be configured to provide propulsive thrust to the aircraft, and the electric generator can be configured to receive shaft power from the jet engine. The environmental control system can be configured to provide outside air to a passenger cabin of the aircraft in the absence of bleed air from the jet engine.

Abstract: An interactive system for debugging programs in which a persistent data base system responds to update queries containing debugging information from a debugging information source and to read queries on the debugging information from an interactive interface. The interactive interface produces the read queries in response to inputs from users and formats the results of the read queries as required by the user. One source of inputs is a standard Web browser for which the interactive interface functions as a Web server. The system also includes a command channel by which the source of debugging information receives commands from the interactive interface. In one embodiment, the command channel is implemented in the data base. In a disclosed implementation, the source of debugging information provides memory debugging information. Also disclosed are techniques for using an automatic memory management system to reduce memory fragmentation and heap footprint size.

Abstract: An interactive system for debugging programs in which a persistent data base system responds to update queries containing debugging information from a debugging information source and to read queries on the debugging information from an interactive interface. The interactive interface produces the read queries in response to inputs from users and formats the results of the read queries as required by the user. One source of inputs is a standard Web browser for which the interactive interface functions as a Web server. The system also includes a command channel by which the source of debugging information receives commands from the interactive interface. In one embodiment, the command channel is implemented in the data base. In a disclosed implementation, the source of debugging information provides memory debugging information. Also disclosed are techniques for using an automatic memory management system to reduce memory fragmentation and heap footprint size.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes a primary air conditioning system which compresses and cools outside air to create inside air. The inside air pressurizes the internal volume of the aircraft and ventilates a first object in the internal volume. An exhaust exhausts a portion of the inside air to allow more outside air to be drawn into the aircraft. A cooler cools a coolant which in turn controls temperature of at least two objects in the internal volume.

Abstract: A technique that permits a conservative garbage collector to be used with the heap management functions provided by an allocator which is independent of the garbage collector. The allocator and the garbage collector (139) employ a malloc table (319) to exchange information about the heap (125). When the allocator determines that determines that garbage collection is required, the allocator makes a current heap map in the malloc table that specifies the location of each block in the current heap and whether the block is collectible by the garbage collector. The allocator then invokes the garbage collector, which uses the current heap map in its mark cycle to make a mark list that indicates which of the heap blocks are pointed to by apparent pointers in the processer's address space.

Abstract: Techniques for providing interactive user interfaces for programming constructs. A programming construct is associated with one or more metaphors (837) that specify interactive user interfaces (807) for the programming construct. Thus, a programming construct may have a metaphor for a text-based user interface or for one or more different graphical user interfaces. The metaphor may be associated with a description of the construct such as that found in an abstract syntax tree (823), and the metaphor may obtain the information it needs to construct the interface from the description, so that the user interfaces automatically track changes in the programming construct. Also included is apparatus for modifying the metaphor. In one implementation, a build form function (1407) is used to read the information needed to construct the construct's user interface from the construct's description and the metaphor is modified by modifying the build form function.