Abstract: A name space registry manages name space data within a computer operating system including configuration and initialization data. The registry provides access to the configuration information by means of an application program interface (API) for programs which can operate with the name space registry. Backward source-code compatibility is provided for older applications by maintaining configuration and initialization files that the older applications use to store configuration and initialization data under their traditional file names and with the traditional contents. Thus the older applications can directly access these files. The registry provides newer programs access to these configuration and initialization files through API program calls.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for associating a file descriptor with a selected file within a data processing system that has multiple diverse operating systems, a number of diverse incompatible file systems, and a single file service which controls access by the operating systems to the file systems. When a request for file services, which specifies a file descriptor to be associated with a selected file, is received from a particular operating system in a format specific to that particular operating system, the file descriptor is converted into a nonspecific format utilized by the file service which includes an indication of the specific format utilized by the particular operating system. The file descriptor is examined to determine a destination file system and is then transmitted to that file system. If the destination file system supports the nonspecific format, the file descriptor is stored within the destination file system in association with the selected file.

Abstract: Login files necessary to successfully boot a computer and corresponding to a preselected, minimal system configuration are stored in a predetermined location in a selected non-volatile mass storage device attached to the computer. These latter login files are not configurable by the user. During a boot process, the boot program first attempts to boot the system using the conventional user-configured login files. However, after a predetermined number of attempts to boot the system using the user-configured files, the boot process switches to the minimal system files and boots the system using these files.