Abstract: A multi-phase rendering process generates a document (such as a Web page) using a template (e.g. HTML) containing embedded commands for inserting content into the document. At least some of the commands have phases associated with them. The template is rendered by executing all commands having phases in a specified range of values while leaving any other commands unexecuted, thereby producing a partially-rendered template. The partially-rendered template is then rendered by executing the remaining commands, to produce an output document. For example a first phase may insert relatively static information into a Web page, while a second phase inserts dynamic information at run time.

Abstract: In a method for storing and accessing electronic content (e.g. for a Website), content objects are stored in a structured manner in a content store. Some of the content objects in the content store are identified as shortcuts, pointing to other objects in the content store. When a shortcut is accessed, the target object pointed to by that shortcut is automatically accessed from the content store and returned in place of the shortcut object. This provides a powerful way of structuring websites and other forms of content delivery.

Abstract: In a method for storing and accessing objects in an electronic content store (e.g. for a Website), each object is assigned a version number, such that multiple instances of the same object with different version numbers may coexist. When accessing an object in the content store for reading or writing, a requested version number is specified. When reading an object, if an instance of that object with the requested version number exists in the content store, that instance of the object is returned, and otherwise the most recent older instance of that object is returned. When writing to an object, if an instance of that object with the requested version number exists in the content store, the write is performed to that instance of the object, and otherwise a copy is made of the most recent older instance of the object, the copy is assigned the requested version number, and the write is performed to the copy. This provides an efficient and convenient mechanism for managing versions of the content.

Abstract: A multi-phase rendering process generates a document (such as a Web page) using a template (e.g. HTML) containing embedded commands for inserting content into the document. At least some of the commands have phases associated with them. The template is rendered by executing all commands having phases in a specified range of values while leaving any other commands unexecuted, thereby producing a partially-rendered template. The partially-rendered template is then rendered by executing the remaining commands, to produce an output document. For example a first phase may insert relatively static information into a Web page, while a second phase inserts dynamic information at run time.

Abstract: In an electronic content store (e.g. for a Web site), objects are organized in a tree structure. Some of the objects are class objects, which define a set of classes for other objects in the store, and at least some of the class objects contain information specifying what classes of child object are permitted for objects of the class defined by this class object. At least some of the class objects own other objects, which describe properties of objects of the class defined by this class object by virtue of their own properties.

Abstract: In a method for storing and accessing objects in an electronic content store (e.g. for a Website), each object is assigned a version number, such that multiple instances of the same object with different version numbers may coexist. When accessing an object in the content store for reading or writing, a requested version number is specified. When reading an object, if an instance of that object with the requested version number exists in the content store, that instance of the object is returned, and otherwise the most recent older instance of that object is returned. When writing to an object, if an instance of that object with the requested version number exists in the content store, the write is performed to that instance of the object, and otherwise a copy is made of the most recent older instance of the object, the copy is assigned the requested version number, and the write is performed to the copy. This provides an efficient and convenient mechanism for managing versions of the content.

Abstract: An animation tool is used for debugging electronic templates (e.g. for a Web page) containing embedded commands. The tool renders the template, up to a specified step number, to produce a partial output. The partial output includes items subsequent to the specified step number (e.g. HTML end tags), to ensure that the partial output is well-formed. The tool parses the template to generate a parse tree having a branch at each tag for which there is a corresponding end tag. It then truncates the parse tree to remove parts subsequent to the specified step number, and forms the partial output from the truncated parse tree.

Abstract: In a method for storing and accessing electronic content (e.g. for a Website), content objects are stored in a structured manner in a content store. Some of the content objects in the content store are identified as shortcuts, pointing to other objects in the content store. When a shortcut is accessed, the target object pointed to by that shortcut is automatically accessed from the content store and returned in place of the shortcut object. This provides a powerful way of structuring websites and other forms of content delivery.

Abstract: A computer system comprises first and second processing environments interconnected by a gateway. The gateway emulates a terminal in the second environment, converting service requests from a client in the first environment into dialogues on the emulated terminal by executing scripts in a scripting language. This allows client applications in the first environment to communicate with server applications in the second environment in a way that is completely transparent to the clients. The client is not aware that it is communicating with the server through a dialogue on an emulated terminal; all knowledge of the dialogue is embodied in the scripts. This is of utility in integrating legacy computer sytems with new systems.

Abstract: A computer system is described in which users can access a protected resource only by way of a call to a user monitor command, specifying the protected resource as a parameter. The user monitor command checks that certain conditions are satisfied and performs specified actions before permitting access to the protected resource. The checks may include checking whether options and argument values supplied by the user satisfy specified conditions. The actions may include dynamically modifying a supplementary groups list of a current process temporarily granting or removing privileges to or from the user.