Abstract: A method and system for tracking non-discrete goods. The method includes inserting a first identification device into a non-discrete good, detecting the first identification device within the non-discrete good, and determining a characteristic of the non-discrete good from the first identification device. The system includes a plurality of identification devices having characteristics similar to a non-discrete good, and a set of sensors to detect the plurality of identification devices and determine a characteristic of the non-discrete good based on the identification devices.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking non-discrete goods. The method includes inserting a first identification device into a non-discrete good, detecting the first identification device within the non-discrete good, and determining a characteristic of the non-discrete good from the first identification device. The system includes a plurality of identification devices having characteristics similar to a non-discrete good, and a set of sensors to detect the plurality of identification devices and determine a characteristic of the non-discrete good based on the identification devices.

Abstract: A method to detect memory leaks during dynamic memory allocation comprises generating statistical information regarding allocated chunks in a memory heap during a dynamic memory allocation process, with the statistical information including same-sized chunk information related to the number of allocated chunks being identical in size. The statistical information is monitored to identify a potential memory leak based at least in part on the same-sized chunk information, in response to which an alert signal is generated.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a rolling update may be performed. The system receives a statement of compatibility for software running on collaborating servers. The statement of compatibility indicates which software versions are compatible with one another. The statement may be stored in a shared storage area that is accessible to each of the servers in the group. The statement may be updated at any time if compatibility issues are determined after release of a software version. The system and method check the statement of compatibility automatically upon the start of an update process for a server. If the statement of incompatibility indicates that the server starting up is incompatible with an operating server, the start up process is aborted.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrency management in an environment, in which a common pool of objects is shared by multiple users. A virtual lock owner is created for a main thread of a processing task. The main thread spawns parallel threads to update the objects in the common pool with locks. The virtual lock owner is passed to each parallel thread. Each thread (including the main thread) is associated with a thread dependent lock indicator identified by the virtual lock owner. The lifetime of the thread dependent lock indicator is coupled with the lifetime of the associated thread. The virtual lock owner is also associated with a thread independent lock indicator that has a lifetime independent of the lifetime of the main thread. Thus, the parallel threads can perform object update with lock protection even if the main thread aborts.

Abstract: Dynamically isolating application servers, wherein only active application servers are indicated to client applications to prevent access to inactive application servers by the client applications. A central server of a distributed system determines a state of application servers in a system, and generates a list of application servers that includes all application servers of the system including an indication of the state of the application servers. The central server also generates a filtered list of application servers that excludes inactive application servers or application servers in an inactive mode. The filtered list is passed to client applications, which enables the client applications to only access the active application servers, but not access the inactive application servers.

Abstract: A method to detect memory leaks during dynamic memory allocation comprises generating statistical information regarding allocated chunks in a memory heap during a dynamic memory allocation process, with the statistical information including same-sized chunk information related to the number of allocated chunks being identical in size. The statistical information is monitored to identify a potential memory leak based at least in part on the same-sized chunk information, in response to which an alert signal is generated.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of processing function calls in a distributed application environment are provided. A number of function calls for communication from a sending application to a receiving application are queued in a database. Dependencies among at least a portion of the function calls that are being queued are determined while the function calls are stored in the queues. A schedule of execution of the function calls is then generated based on the determined dependencies.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrency management in an environment, in which a common pool of objects is shared by multiple users. A virtual lock owner is created for a main thread of a processing task. The main thread spawns parallel threads to update the objects in the common pool with locks. The virtual lock owner is passed to each parallel thread. Each thread (including the main thread) is associated with a thread dependent lock indicator identified by the virtual lock owner. The lifetime of the thread dependent lock indicator is coupled with the lifetime of the associated thread. The virtual lock owner is also associated with a thread independent lock indicator that has a lifetime independent of the lifetime of the main thread. Thus, the parallel threads can perform object update with lock protection even if the main thread aborts.

Abstract: Dynamically isolating application servers, wherein only active application servers are indicated to client applications to prevent access to inactive application servers by the client applications. A central server of a distributed system determines a state of application servers in a system, and generates a list of application servers that includes all application servers of the system including an indication of the state of the application servers. The central server also generates a filtered list of application servers that excludes inactive application servers or application servers in an inactive mode. The filtered list is passed to client applications, which enables the client applications to only access the active application servers, but not access the inactive application servers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for communications in a distributed software system. An operation request from a remote computer is received, and provisionally executes an operation identified by the operation request. A first message is generated. The first message contains a transaction identifier identifying the operation request, an unsuccessful indicator flag, and a temporary data store. The temporary data store identifies tentatively written data generated by the operation. The first message is stored in a message store. If the successful completion of the operation is detected, a second message is generated. The second message contains the transaction identifier as well as a successful indicator flag. The second message is stored in the message store, and the message is transmitted to the remote computer. If the failure of the operation is detected, the message stored in the message store is transmitted to the remote computer.

Abstract: A method is described that comprises receiving at a first interface a request to lock a row of data from a database table. The method also comprises formatting the request into a format suitable for reception by a second interface. The second interface is an interface to a logical locking function.

Abstract: Managing a computer system having a plurality of blades by detecting the presence of a new blade in the computer system; installing an operating system on the new blade; configuring the operation system; and copying a service that is running on an earlier detected blade to the new blade. Further features are testing services and operating system on the new blade and cyclically shifting services through the blades.

Abstract: A method for restarting a process running on a first processor includes preparing a second processor, copying process context information to the second processor, starting a second process using the context information on the second processor, and terminating a first process running on the first processor. The second process performs an equivalent function to the first process.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking non-discrete goods. The method includes inserting a first identification device into a non-discrete good, detecting the first identification device within the non-discrete good, and determining a characteristic of the non-discrete good from the first identification device. The system includes a plurality of identification devices having characteristics similar to a non-discrete good, and a set of sensors to detect the plurality of identification devices and determine a characteristic of the non-discrete good based on the identification devices.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a rolling update may be performed. The system receives a statement of compatibility for software running on collaborating servers. The statement of compatibility indicates which software versions are compatible with one another. The statement may be stored in a shared storage area that is accessible to each of the servers in the group. The statement may be updated at any time if compatibility issues are determined after release of a software version. The system and method check the statement of compatibility automatically upon the start of an update process for a server. If the statement of incompatibility indicates that the server starting up is incompatible with an operating server, the start up process is aborted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving system performance by asynchronously flushing a memory buffer with system log entries to a log file. The apparatus and method minimize performance loss by detecting when a memory region that is mapped to a file is about to become full and generate or switch to a new memory region so that activities can be continuously written. A process dedicated to flushing the full memory region is instantiated and terminates once the memory region has been completely flushed to a file. All application and user processes can continue to run without interference or the need to manage the flushing of the memory regions.

Abstract: A method is described that comprises receiving at a first interface a request to lock a row of data from a database table. The method also comprises formatting the request into a format suitable for reception by a second interface. The second interface is an interface to a logical locking function.

Abstract: Managing a computer system having a plurality of blades by detecting the presence of a new blade in the computer system; installing an operating system on the new blade; configuring the operation system; and copying a service that is running on an earlier detected blade to the new blade. Further features are testing services and operating system on the new blade and cyclically shifting services through the blades.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of processing function calls in a distributed application environment are provided. A number of function calls for communication from a sending application to a receiving application are queued in a database. Dependencies among at least a portion of the function calls that are being queued are determined while the function calls are stored in the queues. A schedule of execution of the function calls is then generated based on the determined dependencies.