Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method for providing a hierarchical data structure to store nodes, wherein the nodes comprise graphical primitives to be rendered to a common display space of a computer system. The hierarchical data structure governs graphical compositing amongst the nodes. Two or more separate software applications are allowed to create nodes in the hierarchical data structure and share the common display space. The two or more separate software applications are restricted from accessing nodes in the hierarchical data structure based on node ownership information linking one or more nodes in the hierarchical data structure to a respective software application in the two or more separate software applications. The hierarchical data structure is used for rendering and displaying the common display space.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method for receiving a request, from an application in an application execution environment, to play a media asset that has associated media information. The application has associated application information and is restricted to an isolation environment provided by the application execution environment. In response to the request, content of the media asset is provided to a component of a computer system for playing. Access by the application to the content of the media asset during the playing is restricted based on the media information and the application information.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method for receiving a request, from an application in an application execution environment, to play a media asset that has associated media information. The application has associated application information and is restricted to an isolation environment provided by the application execution environment. In response to the request, content of the media asset is provided to a component of a computer system for playing. Access by the application to the content of the media asset during the playing is restricted based on the media information and the application information.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes rendering Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) content, in an HTML rendering engine, to primitives of a vector graphics rendering engine; rendering the primitives, in the vector graphics rendering engine, to provide a user interface; receiving an input event via the user interface; determining, in the HTML rendering engine, a change in appearance for the user interface based on the input event; and updating at least one of the primitives for rendering by the vector graphics rendering engine in accordance with the change in appearance to update the user interface.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to a runtime library including a virtual file system. In general, a method can include interfacing with an operating system of a computer; and providing runtime services, including a virtual file system, to programs running on the computer. Providing runtime services can include receiving first information and second information through a single file access routine of an API for the virtual file system; determining a selected one of multiple file storage areas to access based on the first information, the multiple file storage areas including a first local area accessible by a first program and inaccessible by a second program, and a second area accessible by the first program and the second program; mapping the second information to file resource(s) in the selected file storage area in the virtual file system; and accessing the one or more file resources for the first program.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to a runtime library including a virtual file system. In general, a method can include interfacing with an operating system of a computer; and providing runtime services, including a virtual file system, to programs running on the computer. Providing runtime services can include receiving first information and second information through a single file access routine of an API for the virtual file system; determining a selected one of multiple file storage areas to access based on the first information, the multiple file storage areas including a first local area accessible by a first program and inaccessible by a second program, and a second area accessible by the first program and the second program; mapping the second information to file resource(s) in the selected file storage area in the virtual file system; and accessing the one or more file resources for the first program.

Abstract: A system and method displays information for a multiple programs, each containing zero or one agent, an application, and zero or more pods. The agent communicates with another device such as a network to retrieve or provide information. Information to or from the agent is displayed by an application in a window that is used by other applications, one application at a time. Information to or from the agent is also displayed in one or more windows, each window dedicated to a single pod, and such window being much smaller than the window displaying information from the application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for software installation and process management support. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining application information for a software application and an application executable for the software application, the application executable including machine code native to a target platform having an operating system, wherein the application information includes application code that depends on a runtime environment on the target platform to operate; and installing the application executable on the target platform, wherein the application code includes a resource associated with the application executable that runs in the runtime environment when the application executable is run in the operating system, and wherein the operating system maintains and presents the software application as a native application, distinct from other applications that depend on the runtime environment to operate.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to software installation. In general, a method of installing software can include obtaining application information for a software application to be installed on a target platform, the application information including an application name, an application icon, version information, and application code; obtaining a template executable including machine code native to the target platform; and adding the application information to the template executable to form an application executable for the software application.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to software installation. In general, a method of installing software can include obtaining a first installation package distributed for installation on multiple different platforms, the first installation package including program content and package information, the package information including information stored in a platform independent format and useable in an installation sequence; converting the first installation package into a second installation package stored in a format native to a target platform, wherein the second, native installation package includes at least a portion of the program content and the information useable in the installation sequence; and initiating installation on the target platform with the second, native installation package.

Abstract: A system and method provides messages received from a program to a user in an area used for displaying messages from multiple programs. The message may be received with an indication that the user is to be notified upon receipt of the message, however the user can disable or enable such notifications.

Abstract: A system and method displays information for a multiple programs, each containing zero or one agent, an application, and zero or more pods. The agent communicates with another device such as a network to retrieve or provide information. Information to or from the agent is displayed by an application in a window that is used by other applications, one application at a time. Information to or from the agent is also displayed in one or more windows, each window dedicated to a single pod, and such window being much smaller than the window displaying information from the application.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to a runtime library including a virtual file system. In general, a method can include interfacing with an operating system of a computer; and providing runtime services, including a virtual file system, to programs running on the computer. Providing runtime services can include receiving first information and second information through a single file access routine of an API for the virtual file system; determining a selected one of multiple file storage areas to access based on the first information, the multiple file storage areas including a first local area accessible by a first program and inaccessible by a second program, and a second area accessible by the first program and the second program; mapping the second information to file resource(s) in the selected file storage area in the virtual file system; and accessing the one or more file resources for the first program.

Abstract: Systems and methods communicate data selected from one program to another program or component of another program. A system can receive an identifier of at least one type of data each of a plurality of programs can receive. The system can store the identifiers and can receive a data selection command relative to one of the plurality of programs via a user interface. The system can also receive, in response to the obtained data selection command, data associated with the data selection command and an identifier of the type of the data associated with the data selection command. The system can also identify at least one other program in the plurality of programs whose identifier matches the identifier of the type of data received, and can provide, based on input, the data received to at least one of the at least one other program in the plurality of programs identified.

Abstract: A system and method which receives from an application a request to open a file for reading or writing, prompts the user for the file, and then provides a handle or alternate handle to the requesting application, but does not provide the name and path of the file and may not provide the actual handle to the file.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes rendering Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) content, in an HTML rendering engine, to primitives of a vector graphics rendering engine; rendering the primitives, in the vector graphics rendering engine, to provide a user interface; receiving an input event via the user interface; determining, in the HTML rendering engine, a change in appearance for the user interface based on the input event; and updating at least one of the primitives for rendering by the vector graphics rendering engine in accordance with the change in appearance to update the user interface.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes rendering Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) content, in an HTML rendering engine, to primitives of a vector graphics rendering engine; rendering the primitives, in the vector graphics rendering engine, to provide a user interface; receiving an input event via the user interface; determining, in the HTML rendering engine, a change in appearance for the user interface based on the input event; and updating at least one of the primitives for rendering by the vector graphics rendering engine in accordance with the change in appearance to update the user interface.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to software installation. In general, a method of installing software can include obtaining application information for a software application to be installed on a target platform, the application information including an application name, an application icon, version information, and application code; obtaining a template executable including machine code native to the target platform; and adding the application information to the template executable to form an application executable for the software application.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to software installation. In general, a method of installing software can include obtaining a first installation package distributed for installation on multiple different platforms, the first installation package including program content and package information, the package information including information stored in a platform independent format and useable in an installation sequence; converting the first installation package into a second installation package stored in a format native to a target platform, wherein the second, native installation package includes at least a portion of the program content and the information useable in the installation sequence; and initiating installation on the target platform with the second, native installation package.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes rendering Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) content, in an HTML rendering engine, to primitives of a vector graphics rendering engine; rendering the primitives, in the vector graphics rendering engine, to provide a user interface; receiving an input event via the user interface; determining, in the HTML rendering engine, a change in appearance for the user interface based on the input event; and updating at least one of the primitives for rendering by the vector graphics rendering engine in accordance with the change in appearance to update the user interface.