Abstract: The present invention is directed at a computing environment and method that supports object-based pipelines. The computing environment includes a runtime shell, a parser, and base commands. The runtime shell receives an object-based pipeline (e.g., via a command line). The runtime shell sends the object-based pipeline to the parser that parses the object-based pipeline into pipeline sub-components. Each of the pipeline sub-components are associated with a command, such as a base command provided by an operating system or a third party command provided by a third party developer. The parser invokes a method that is associated with the first pipeline sub-component. The method obtains objects of interest from a specified input (e.g., XML). The objects are sent to subsequent pipeline sub-components for further processing. The objects do not have methods. The pipeline sub-components may execute in the same process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a computing environment and method that supports object-based pipelines. The computing environment includes a runtime shell, a parser, and base commands. The runtime shell receives an object-based pipeline (e.g., via a command line). The runtime shell sends the object-based pipeline to the parser that parses the object-based pipeline into pipeline sub-components. Each of the pipeline sub-components are associated with a command, such as a base command provided by an operating system or a third party command provided by a third party developer. The parser invokes a method that is associated with the first pipeline sub-component. The method obtains objects of interest from a specified input (e.g., XML). The objects are sent to subsequent pipeline sub-components for further processing. The pipeline sub-components may execute in the same process.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies directed towards providing a common mechanism for tracking the activity status of one or more software actions of a computer system. Furthermore, the described technologies facilitate managing the presentation of the tracked activity status of individual actions and/or of a collection of such actions.

Abstract: The present comparison technique operates on objects having the same type, similar types, or different types. Multiple comparison objects may be compared against one or more reference objects. The comparison objects may be obtained from a prior cmdlet in a pipeline of cmdlets operating in an object-based environment. The reference object and comparison object may be compared in an order-based manner or in a key-based manner. In addition, specific properties may be specified which will identify which properties of the reference object and the comparison object to compare during the comparison. The comparison may generate an output that identifies the difference and/or similarities. The output may be pipelined to another cmdlet for further processing.

Abstract: A computer system events interface is described. In embodiment(s), the computer system events interface includes event indicators that each indicate a past computer event. An event indicator is selectable to initiate an information display pertaining to a corresponding past computer event. The computer system events interface can also include additional event indicators that each indicate a future computer event. An additional event indicator is selectable to initiate a configuration interface from which a corresponding future computer event can be modified. The computer system events interface can also include current event indicators that each indicate a current computer event. A current event indicator is also selectable to initiate a configuration interface from which corresponding current computer events can be modified.

Abstract: Method and system for direct access of language metadata are disclosed. In an implementation, the method includes receiving commands from a user to modify language metadata of a programming language. The metadata is modified based on the command and the modified metadata is utilized as a feature in the programming language at runtime.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method for scope-constrained specification of features in programming language is disclosed. In an implementation, the method includes modifying a parse tree of a grammar to allow registering of new nodes in the parse tree. A correct node to be utilized for the parse tree is determined and an output program is generated based on the correct node.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A command line utility is described that overlays the management infrastructure of an enterprise to provide easier command options for administrators to effectively manage the enterprise. The primary intent of the command line utility is to facilitate management of the environment without requiring administrators to write scripts or navigate a vast schematized enterprise exposed through the management infrastructure. The command line utility provides command options through class aliases that enable the mapping of management queries and operations to a common term or friendly name that can be extended both in an alias file or at run time in the command line.

Abstract: In a command line environment, an error object is used to store information about each occurrence of an error during processing of a command-line instruction. In an object-based command line environment, each command in a complex command-line instruction stores sufficient information in the error object to completely describe the error. That information may be later used either by subsequent commands or in conjunction with another command-line instruction to further process the unprocessed resources.

Abstract: In an administrative tool environment, user input is supplied to an administrative tool framework for processing. The administrative tool framework maps user input to cmdlet objects. The cmdlet objects describe a grammar for parsing the user input and input objects to obtain expected input parameters. The input objects are emitted by one cmdlet and are available as input to another cmdlet. The input objects may be any precisely parseable input, such as .NET objects, plain strings, XML documents, and the like. The input objects are not live objects. The cmdlets may operate within the same process. Alternatively, one cmdlet may operate locally while another cmdlet operates remotely. The cmdlets may be provided by the administrative tool framework or may be provided by third party developers. The user input may be supplied to the framework via a host cmdlet.

Abstract: In an administrative tool environment, user input is supplied to an administrative tool framework for processing. The administrative tool framework maps user input to cmdlet objects. The cmdlet objects describe a grammar for parsing the user input and input objects to obtain expected input parameters. The input objects are emitted by one cmdlet and are available as input to another cmdlet. The input objects may be any precisely parseable input, such as .NET objects, plain strings, XML documents, and the like. The cmdlets may operate within the same process. Alternatively, one cmdlet may operate locally while another cmdlet operates remotely. The cmdlets may be provided by the administrative tool framework or may be provided by third party developers. The user input may be supplied to the framework via a host cmdlet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a computing environment and method that supports object-based pipelines. The computing environment includes a runtime shell, a parser, and base commands. The runtime shell receives an object-based pipeline (e.g., via a command line). The runtime shell sends the object-based pipeline to the parser that parses the object-based pipeline into pipeline sub-components. Each of the pipeline sub-components are associated with a command, such as a base command provided by an operating system or a third party command provided by a third party developer. The parser invokes a method that is associated with the first pipeline sub-component. The method obtains objects of interest from a specified input (e.g., XML). The objects are sent to subsequent pipeline sub-components for further processing. The pipeline sub-components may execute in the same process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a computing environment and method that supports object-based pipelines. The computing environment includes a runtime shell, a parser, and base commands. The runtime shell receives an object-based pipeline (e.g., via a command line). The runtime shell sends the object-based pipeline to the parser that parses the object-based pipeline into pipeline sub-components. Each of the pipeline sub-components are associated with a command, such as a base command provided by an operating system or a third party command provided by a third party developer. The parser invokes a method that is associated with the first pipeline sub-component. The method obtains objects of interest from a specified input (e.g., XML). The objects are sent to subsequent pipeline sub-components for further processing. The objects do not have methods. The pipeline sub-components may execute in the same process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a reflection-based shell that provides reflection-based processing of input parameters for a command. The reflection-based processing includes parsing, data generation, data validation, object encoding, object processing, documentation, and the like. The reflection-based shell provides a mechanism for specifying a grammar for the input parameters using a class. The method includes receiving a parsable stream that includes a command and at least one parameter. Retrieving definitional information that describes an expected parameter for the command. Using the definitional information to create an object for storing the at least one parameter in a format in accordance with the description of the expected parameters. Passing the object to the command.

Abstract: Runtime polymorphism may be enabled with metadata that is usable for casting objects to casted objects. In an exemplary media implementation, processor-executable instructions cause operations including: discover at least one type of an object while in a runtime environment; and create a casted object from the object by casting the object to the casted object using metadata. An exemplary computing device implementation includes: one or more processors; and one or more media in operative communication therewith, the one or more media including: an object of a first type; metadata that is capable of being used to cast unknown objects in a runtime environment; and processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform an action including: casting the object of the first type to a casted object of a second type using the metadata in the runtime environment, the first type differing from the second type.

Abstract: In a command line environment, an error object is used to store information about each occurrence of an error during processing of a command-line instruction. In an object-based command line environment, each command in a complex command-line instruction stores sufficient information in the error object to completely describe the error. That information may be later used either by subsequent commands or in conjunction with another command-line instruction to further process the unprocessed resources.

Abstract: A command line utility is described that overlays the management infrastructure of an enterprise to provide easier command options for administrators to effectively manage the enterprise. The primary intent of the command line utility is to facilitate management of the environment without requiring administrators to write scripts or navigate a vast schematized enterprise exposed through the management infrastructure. The command line utility provides command options through class aliases that enable the mapping of management queries and operations to a common term or friendly name that can be extended both in an alias file or at run time in the command line.