Abstract: Method and apparatus for shared data update and query operations. Two control fields are associated with each data block of interest. Before any data in shared memory is modified, a value different from the present value is written into one of the shared memory control fields. The shared memory data is then updated. Thereafter, the other shared memory control field is updated to the new value, thus making the values of the shared memory control fields identical once again. During query operations, the data and control fields of interest are copied into in private storage. The values of the control fields in private memory are compared. If the values are equal, the data in private storage is considered to be consistent. Otherwise, the data is considered to be in the process of being updated and the data is ignored until the values of the shared memory control fields become equal.

Abstract: An arrangement and method of inactivating dynamically an exit in a computer system. An exit is a program module associated with a first program and which is invoked while active by a second program in response to the occurrence of a prescribed system event. When a request to inactivate exit is received, it is determined if one or more invocations of the exit are in progress or scheduled. If an invocation of the exit is not in progress or scheduled, the exit is marked as inactive. However, if one or more invocations of the exit are in progress or scheduled, the exit is marked as inactive only when all such invocations that are in progress or scheduled are complete.