Abstract: A computer system provides registration of resource for synchronization point processing. Resources include file systems, data bases, and protected conversations. A resource becomes protected by the system when it is registered in the application's execution environment. The execution environment includes but is not exclusive to the interactive environment. Accordingly the invention provides an efficient and uniform method for identification of protected resources. The registration facility is separate from the application. Thus, the users of applications, application program developers, system administrators and operators need not have to consider or design a registration facility but only involve the one provided. A protected resource manager, through its adapter, can modify, at any time, the registration information, either by adding missing information or by changing the existing information. A resource registers only for the work unit in which it wishes to participate.

Abstract: A computer operating system selects a one or two-phase commit procedure for resources to optimize the overall commit process. The optimization utilizes the more efficient one-phase commit procedure when possible and reserves the less efficient two-phase commit procedure for situations where the two-phase commit procedure is required to protect critical resources. If the resources include a protected conversation or two or more resources in the update mode then the two-phase commit procedure is utilized for these resources. Read-only resources or a single resource in the update mode that support one-phase commit are subject to the one-phase commit procedure. To further optimize the overall process, a plurality of resources are registered in a table, which table may reside in the operating system. The registrations include information about the resources and/or work requests which indicate what type of commit procedure is required.

Abstract: A computer system coordinates the handling of error codes and information describing errors in a commit procedure. The system supports a first resource manager of a first type and a second resource manager of a second type. An application is coupled to a sync point manager and initiates a two-phase commit procedure. The sync point manager is coupled to the first and second resource managers and coordinates the two-phase commit procedure involving the first and second resource managers. The sync point manager receives notification of a failure or failures relating to the first and second resource managers that prevent completion of the commit procedure and identification of the resource manager or resource managers associated with the failure or failures.