Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing source control of custom code in a backend-as-a-service (BaaS) module. For instance, the custom code may be automatically loaded dynamically (e.g., on-demand) in a runtime that is hosted by the BaaS module while the runtime is running to provide custom backend features that are defined by the custom code to an application in response to receipt of a request from the application. Source control of the custom code may be provided without providing source control of host code that defines the runtime.

Abstract: Various implementations are described herein for detecting and modifying security settings on a computing device to run a web application using a web browser. A loader application detects security settings on the computing device, determines if the security settings will allow the web application to run and function correctly on the computing device, and if necessary, modifies the security settings to allow the web application to run and operate successfully. Further, described herein are techniques for facilitating communication between components corresponding to a web application running in a web browser and external resources.

Abstract: A Decentralized System Services (DSS) architecture defines a framework for building fault-tolerant distributed applications across decentralized and heterogeneous systems. DSS enables “complexity through composition” by defining distributed designs as compositions of limited function and observable services which may be quickly and dynamically assembled to perform higher level functions. DSS defines a standardized interaction between distributed services using sessionless, asynchronous communications with explicit failure semantics. Accounting for latency, failure and state management all become a natural part of the design process. DSS includes a runtime implementation for managing concurrent services—the Common Concurrency Runtime (CCR), a protocol for service interactions—the Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP), and a set of required service behaviors which provide for composibility, location independence, and fault tolerance—Distributed Protocol Oriented Programming (DPOP).

Abstract: Embodiments allow developers to use HTTP message abstractions inline within their Web API methods to directly access and manipulate HTTP request and response messages. A hosting layer is provided for in-process, in-memory and network-based services. Message handlers and operational handlers may be combined to create a message channel for asynchronous manipulations of the HTTP requests and response. A formatter may be used on the server or client for consuming HTTP and providing desired media types.

Abstract: A method includes executing a web script by a browser element to access a web service executing on a web server and providing access to a web application, subscribing to the web service by the browser element so that data will be sent from the web service without requiring the browser element to initiate a request for the data, receiving the data from the web service by a communicator module executing on the client computing device, and sending the data to the browser element by the communicator module. A system includes a browser having at least one browser element configured to subscribe to data from an external web service.

Abstract: A Decentralized System Services (DSS) architecture defines a framework for building fault-tolerant distributed applications across decentralized and heterogeneous systems. DSS enables “complexity through composition” by defining distributed designs as compositions of limited function and observable services which may be quickly and dynamically assembled to perform higher level functions. DSS defines a standardized interaction between distributed services using sessionless, asynchronous communications with explicit failure semantics. Accounting for latency, failure and state management all become a natural part of the design process. DSS includes a runtime implementation for managing concurrent services—the Common Concurrency Runtime (CCR), a protocol for service interactions—the Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP), and a set of required service behaviors which provide for composibility, location independence, and fault tolerance—Distributed Protocol Oriented Programming (DPOP).

Abstract: A Decentralized System Services (DSS) architecture defines a framework for building fault-tolerant distributed applications across decentralized and heterogeneous systems. DSS enables “complexity through composition” by defining distributed designs as compositions of limited function and observable services which may be quickly and dynamically assembled to perform higher level functions. DSS defines a standardized interaction between distributed services using sessionless, asynchronous communications with explicit failure semantics. Accounting for latency, failure and state management all become a natural part of the design process. DSS includes a runtime implementation for managing concurrent services—the Common Concurrency Runtime (CCR), a protocol for service interactions—the Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP), and a set of required service behaviors which provide for composibility, location independence, and fault tolerance—Distributed Protocol Oriented Programming (DPOP).

Abstract: A system enabling an application desiring access to a resource addressable by a URI to produce a response to an authentication challenge to a request to access the URI without including code specific to an authentication system and/or method is provided. The system includes an authentication manager that can pass an authentication challenge to authentication modules and/or objects operable to produce a response to the authentication challenge. The system may also include a cache adapted to store one or more responses to the authentication challenge communicated from the authentication modules, with such cache also being employed to facilitate pre-authenticating test challenges and/or pseudo-challenges.

Abstract: Described is a Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP) comprising a SOAP-based protocol that defines a web service application model based on a set of common message operations. WSAP provides a foundation for defining web services in terms of how they interact with each other. In WSAP, the behaviors of a service are each provided with an individual port, (e.g., URI), whereby the service's behaviors may be interacted with directly. WSAP also defines shared semantics for operations that identify what a message is, what the processing of message is, and how it affects the state/behavior of the receiver. The ordering of messages also provides context to what is occurring. As a result of the known characteristics of the operations and the ordering, an intermediary can process exchanged messages to add value to communications. A SOAP processing model defines composing multiple web services to run in parallel or sequentially.

Abstract: A method includes executing a web script by a browser element to access a web service executing on a web server and providing access to a web application, subscribing to the web service by the browser element so that data will be sent from the web service without requiring the browser element to initiate a request for the data, receiving the data from the web service by a communicator module executing on the client computing device, and sending the data to the browser element by the communicator module. A system includes a browser having at least one browser element configured to subscribe to data from an external web service.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring direct communicating between browser elements running in a browser and for direct communication between a browser element and an external application are described. Browser elements communicate with each other by referencing unique identifiers associated with the browser elements. External applications communicate directly with browser elements by referencing unique identifiers associated with the browser elements. Browser elements are configurable as web services and communicate using various communication architectures and protocols. Application programming interfaces associated with browser elements configured as web services are accessible to web browsers through web scripting modules.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communications over a protocol is provided. The system includes a class factory that holds identifiers associated with determining which, if any, registered protocol object creator should be employed to create a protocol object. The protocol object implements an abstract network protocol base class. The protocol object is employed to abstract details of communicating over a protocol and to provide a byte stream interface to communications occurring over the protocol, while removing protocol specific code from an application program. The method includes creating an instance of a protocol object from a source of registered protocol handlers based on a request to communicate over a protocol and using a base class API to communicate over the protocol through the protocol object.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communications over a protocol is provided. The system includes a class factory that holds identifiers associated with determining which, if any, registered protocol object creator should be employed to create a protocol object. The protocol object implements an abstract network protocol base class. The protocol object is employed to abstract details of communicating over a protocol and to provide a byte stream interface to communications occurring over the protocol, while removing protocol specific code from an application program. The method includes creating an instance of a protocol object from a source of registered protocol handlers based on a request to communicate over a protocol and using a base class API to communicate over the protocol through the protocol object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for resolving virtual network names using one or more name routers. A conventional Uniform Resource Locator (URL) naming scheme is extended by allowing any component to be mapped to an address. The resolution process occurs recursively through a plurality of name routers. Resolution can be contextual, such that the same virtual network name may be resolved differently depending on the identity of the client or other parameters.

Abstract: Various implementations are described herein for using instant messenger services to administer devices. Both devices and administrators have corresponding client instant messenger services that enable administrators to configure the devices, update firmware and/or software applications running on the devices, control the devices, facilitate communication between the devices and resources such as technicians, web services and so forth. Further, devices are also able to initiate communication with administrators and/or resources to request configuration, updates to firmware and/or software applications running on the devices, troubleshooting services from technicians, send alerts and so forth.

Abstract: Various implementations are described herein for detecting and modifying security settings on a computing device to run a web application using a web browser. A loader application detects security settings on the computing device, determines if the security settings will allow the web application to run and function correctly on the computing device, and if necessary, modifies the security settings to allow the web application to run and operate successfully. Further, described herein are techniques for facilitating communication between components corresponding to a web application running in a web browser and external resources.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating exposing a resource over a protocol is provided. The system includes a class factory that holds identifiers associated with determining which, if any, registered listener object creator should be employed to create a listener object. The listener object implements an abstract network protocol base class. The listener object is employed to abstract details of exposing a resource over a protocol and to provide a byte stream interface to communications occurring over the protocol, while removing protocol specific code from a server program. The method includes creating an instance of a listener object from a source of registered protocol handlers based on a request to expose a resource over a protocol and using a base class API to communicate over the protocol through the listener object.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring direct communicating between browser elements running in a browser and for direct communication between a browser element and an external application are described. Browser elements communicate with each other by referencing unique identifiers associated with the browser elements. External applications communicate directly with browser elements by referencing unique identifiers associated with the browser elements. Browser elements are configurable as web services and communicate using various communication architectures and protocols. Application programming interfaces associated with browser elements configured as web services are accessible to web browsers through web scripting modules.

Abstract: A system enabling an application desiring access to a resource addressable by a URI to produce a response to an authentication challenge to a request to access the URI without including code specific to an authentication system and/or method is provided. The system includes an authentication manager that can pass an authentication challenge to authentication modules and/or objects operable to produce a response to the authentication challenge. The system may also include a cache adapted to store one or more responses to the authentication challenge communicated from the authentication modules, with such cache also being employed to facilitate pre-authenticating test challenges and/or pseudo-challenges.

Abstract: Multiple copies of web services reside on associated computing devices, each having an associated reputation. A client may desire to access the web service having the highest or best reputation to be ensured of a greater degree of accuracy and confidence. The client does a search, and attaches to whichever web service has the highest reputation. By running multiple copies of the web services, they may vote amongst themselves on the results in the event that one or more of the services starts giving incorrect or otherwise inconsistent results. Combining the voting with reputation data associated with each copy of the web service allows a service's reputation to be dynamically adjusted based upon how faithfully it computes the results of work items sent to it.