Abstract: A method includes executing one or more applications in an execution environment. The one or more applications are capable of requesting allocation of memory during execution. The method also includes allocating a plurality of memory blocks in a heap to the one or more executing applications. The plurality of memory blocks are allocated sequentially in the heap to the one or more executing applications. In addition, the method includes deallocating the plurality of memory blocks during a single deallocation. Memory blocks in multiple heaps could be allocated to the one or more executing applications. A particular memory block in a particular heap could be allocated to a particular executing application by pushing an indicator identifying the particular heap onto a stack. The particular memory block is allocated in the particular heap based on the indicator, and the indicator is popped from the stack after allocation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one memory capable of storing values of a plurality of data items. The data items are categorized into a plurality of categories by one or more programs that define the data items. The apparatus also includes at least one processor capable of executing the one or more programs that define the data items. The at least one processor is also capable of transferring the values of the data items to a second apparatus. The value of each data item is transferred to the second apparatus at a frequency associated with the category of the data item. The plurality of categories may be associated with a plurality of attributes (such as .NET attributes). Each data item is associated with one of the attributes to thereby identify the category associated with the data item.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing relay ladder logic templates are disclosed. The exemplary system may have one or more actuators and sensors. The exemplary system may have one or more actuators and sensors and a controller and memory for storing and executing relay ladder logic instance modules and template modules. The exemplary system may also have a general purpose processor and memory for storing one or more instance modules, template modules, and elements of the modules in a relational database. One or more buses may be in communication with the one or more actuators and sensors, the controller and memory and the general purpose processor and memory.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the activities of a process. The system includes a first computer that uses standard control classes to manage the activities according to a standard control strategy. A second computer is used by a user to input custom data. A custom application program uses the custom data to automatically develop a customized control strategy as a custom class that operates as an inherited class of a base class of the standard classes to augment the standard control strategy with the customized control strategy in the management of the activities.

Abstract: A method includes executing one or more applications in a deterministic execution environment and executing a plurality of background tasks in the deterministic execution environment. The one or more applications and the background tasks are executed in different time slots. At least one of the background tasks cannot be completed within a single time slot. The at least one of the background task is executed incrementally in multiple non-adjacent time slots so as to prevent the at least one background task from interfering with the execution of the one or more applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of software development for special purpose computers or digital system, and in particular, provides systems and methods for generating executable code for a target special purpose system from a general purpose computer language not specifically directed to the special purpose system. In a preferred embodiment, first, general purpose language source code is compiled to an intermediate language, such as Java byte-code; second, the intermediate language is translated to a special purpose language implemented for the special purpose system, often the C language or a variant; and third, the translated special purpose language is compiled into executable code for the special purpose system. Additional embodiments include systems performing these software development methods and related program products and/or computer-readable media.