Abstract: An extension to the JVM is described by which the efficiency with which applications are developed and transmitted between platforms is vastly improved. The present invention imposes a new object model on the Java object model provided intrinsically by the Java programming language. The object model of the present invention separates attribute data from an object which would otherwise be encapsulated therein. This data represents the external interface of a particular instance of the object class. The internal interface of the object class, i.e., the behavior common to all instances of a particular object type, is stored separately in an object type information file.

Abstract: A method and system provide for selectively distributing communications between an application and multiple servers, allowing cooperative use of a single copy of an application. The system is situated between an application and the multiple servers. Requests from the application, responses to the requests, and events from the multiple servers, are managed in such a way that each server believes it is connected directly to the application and the application believes it is connected directly to a single server. The requests are categorized and distributed to the servers based on the type of request. The responses to these requests may be sent to the application or discarded based on the type of request and the role of the server sending the request. The events are also categorized and, based on the role of the server causing the event, they may be passed on to the application or discarded.

Abstract: A data structure and method are disclosed for transferring object attributes between platforms in a distributed computing environment. The method includes creating an application description file. The application description file includes a type ID and an object name. The type ID references a type information file. The application file includes an attribute data block and the attribute data block contains data for attributes that are included in the object. The attribute description file is transferred to a platform that includes the type information file and the type information file includes a memory offset map that determines a sequence of attribute data storage in the attribute data block. Thus, the object attributes are received by the platform and the type information file provides a memory offset map for individual attributes in the attribute description file.

Abstract: A separate window is provided for each of multiple OpenDoc Canvas objects, thereby effecting a multiple Canvas-per-compound document design. Possibility of one OpenDoc object drawing in another object's screen area is eliminated by clipping imposed by the Xserver on a perwindow basis. Multiple different X-rendering libraries may be employed for screen imaging. The raw XWindow may be used for direct Xlib drawing functions and other rendering toolkits. Widgets associated with alternative graphical user interfaces may be used as the root of a widget hierarchy.

Abstract: A method of selecting which user has the input focus, and conditions by which a different user will get the input focus in the future. A user is said to have the `floor` if that user is enabled to become the input focus, or in other words, to provide input to the shared application. Zero or more users may have the floor at a particular time. (This is in contrast to a human conference or meeting where generally one person has the floor at a time). A method of selecting the set of users who have the floor is called a floor control policy. The floor control policy determines the set of participants who have the floor now, who will get the floor next, and how and when the floor assignments are made.