Abstract: A program which is linked or bound by reference (referenced program) into one or more other programs supports multiple valid export signatures, each corresponding to a respective version of the referenced program. When a program is built, it records the current signature of each referenced program it is bound to. When subsequently determining whether to rebuild the program, the previously recorded signature of any referenced program is compared with all currently supported signatures of the referenced program, and only if none of the supported signatures matches does the program need to be re-built to ensure compatibility with the referenced program. Preferably, the referenced program is a program library containing supporting procedures, intended to be used by multiple applications programs which are bound to it.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture utilizing the biological principle of dominance to affect the operation of a genetic algorithm are provided. The genetic algorithm may be used to select a multi-parameter solution set to a user-defined problem, with each parameter modeled as a gene. Dominance may be introduced by associating a dominance attribute with one or more gene values (i.e., traits), for example, that are known to lead to good solution sets, allowing the corresponding gene values to be specified as dominant or recessive. By specifying the known good gene values as dominant, system performance may be optimized as the genetic algorithm may quickly arrive at a good solution set (e.g., due to the known good value appearing more often in future generations). On the other hand, by specifying the known good gene value as recessive, the search space may be increased as the genetic algorithm may evaluate a larger number of possible solution sets (e.g.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, accumulate multiple work units into a bundle and send the bundle to a selected active server. The active server is selected based on the relative costs for the work units and costs for servers. In an embodiment, selecting the active server includes determining relative work unit costs and relative server costs, calculating total weighted costs for the servers based on the relative work unit costs and the relative server costs, and selecting the active server that has the lowest total weighted cost. The active server may either process a work in the bundle locally or send the work unit to a passive server for processing. The active server determines whether each work unit can be executed at the active server. If the work unit can be executed on the active server, the active server executes the work unit and creates local results.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, route requests to servers based on a synchronization level of data that the servers provide. In an embodiment, synchronization levels that servers provide are determined, a synchronization level that a request requires is determined, a server is selected based on the provided synchronization levels and the required synchronization level, and the request is routed to the selected server. The selection of the server may include selecting a subset of the servers, ordering the subset based on the provided synchronization levels, and selecting the highest synchronization level that is processing less than a threshold number of requests.

Abstract: A method, distributed-computing system, and computer program product for providing efficient workload management within a distributed computing environment. Each device within the distributed-computing environment is enhanced with a workload management controller (WLMC) functionality/utility, designed specifically for the type of device (i.e., client WLMC versus server WLMC) and utilized to collect process data about the particular device (e.g., status information) and about the device's interaction with the network. With the localized device-based WLM Controllers, each device utilizes fully distributed tagged information to accomplish capacity-based routing, context-based routing, and resource-based routing without any overhead or loss of data and without any network congestion. The distributed WLM Controller model enables each device to operate without concern for the level of CPU usage or memory usage of the particular device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture utilizing the biological principle of dominance to affect the operation of a genetic algorithm are provided. The genetic algorithm may be used to select a multi-parameter solution set to a user-defined problem, with each parameter modeled as a gene. Dominance may be introduced by associating a dominance attribute with one or more gene values (i.e., traits), for example, that are known to lead to good solution sets, allowing the corresponding gene values to be specified as dominant or recessive. By specifying the known good gene values as dominant, system performance may be optimized as the genetic algorithm may quickly arrive at a good solution set (e.g., due to the known good value appearing more often in future generations). On the other hand, by specifying the known good gene value as recessive, the search space may be increased as the genetic algorithm may evaluate a larger number of possible solution sets (e.g.

Abstract: A mechanism for monitoring and responding to the changes of a local area network (LAN) is disclosed. The automatic configuration mechanism (ACM) of the present invention is initiated as part of the normal "startup" of a network node. Once initialized, the ACM has three functions. First, nodes use the ACM to obtain configuration information from other nodes. Second, nodes use the ACM to provide configuration information to the other nodes of the network. Lastly, nodes use the ACM to respond to other nodes which seek configuration information.

Abstract: A predictive dialing system having a computer connected to a telephone switch stores a group of call records in its internal storage. Each call record contains a group of input parameters, including the date, the time, and one or more workload factors. Workload factors can indicate the number of pending calls, the number of available operators, the average idle time, the connection delay, the completion rate, and the nuisance call rate, among other things. In the preferred embodiment, each call record also contains a dial action, which indicates whether a call was initiated or not. These call records are analyzed by a neutral network to determine a relationship between the input parameters and the dial action stored in each call record. This analysis is done as part of the training process for the neutral network.

Abstract: An interpreter is provided which enables a user of a computer to add additional function to existing programming applications independent of the applications. The interpreter interfaces between an advanced function, such as voice synthesis, and an application, such as an office calendar and mail system. The user defines the part of the application on which to apply the voice synthesis in a high level computer language. This definition can include transformation of touch tone pulses to commands for the application as would generally be entered by keyboard. The definition then applies the function as directed by the user, such as to read the mail, or read the calendar, either by means of speaker coupled to the computer or over telephone lines to a remote user.

Abstract: A digital multiplier has recoders for recoding the multiplier bits to form selection bits which are applied to selectors for selecting forms of the multiplicand, either the multiplicand itself or multiples of the multiplicand, the selected forms being applied to adders which produce partial products, the adders being interconnected to produce the product. Special product generators simultaneously generate multiples of the multiplicand which are applied to the selectors.