Abstract: A computing system and method of executing a software program and translation of instructions for an emulated computing environment. The computing system includes a programmable circuit capable of executing native instructions of a first instruction set architecture and incapable of executing non-native instructions of a second instruction set architecture. The emulator operates within an interface layer and translates non-native applications hosted within an emulated operating system for execution. The computing system includes translated memory banks defined at least in part by the emulated operating system and capable of native execution on the programmable circuit, where the emulated operating system is incapable of execution on the programmable circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing and validation of translated memory banks used in an emulated system are disclosed. One method includes translating one or more banks of non-native instructions into one or more banks of native instructions executable in a computing system having a native instruction set architecture. The one or more banks of non-native instructions define one or more tests of execution of a non-native instruction set architecture. The method also includes loading a memory with instructions and data defined according to the non-native instruction set architecture and addressed by the one or more tests, and triggering, by an emulator, execution of the translated one or more banks of native instructions. The method further includes, upon detection of an error during execution of the translated one or more banks of native instructions, identifying an error in execution of the non-native instruction set architecture by the computing system.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of permitting the maintenance/control console of a large scale mainframe computer to list the contents of program libraries in the demand or even batch mode with minimum operational impact. The preferred mode of the present invention permits the maintenance and operations personnel to list, pause, and perform other functions without unduly preventing user applications from needed accesses to the libraries.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for expanding usable space for an application data file. A control file is maintained with control structures that indicate available and allocated portions of usable space in the data file, along with quantities of available space in portions of the data file. Access to the control structures is limited while the file is undergoing expansion. Space is allocated in the control file for new versions of control structures, and the contents of the control structures are copied to the space for the new versions of the control structures. Pointers that reference the control structures and that are maintained in the control file are updated to reference the new versions of the first and second control structures.

Abstract: Database access operations require a process of first locating a database of data that contains requested data and then retrieving the requested data from within the database table. The database tables are stored within a database file that contains an index structure to assist in the determination of the location of the table within the file. Depending upon the structure of the tables and their location within the database file, different searching methods may be used to determine the location of the table. Each searching method results in a different processing efficiency for the search. However, the most efficient searching methodologies operate only on database files having a preferred structure. The least efficient searching methodologies will operate on all database files. The present invention determines the most efficient searching methodology that is supported by a database file when it is registered with a processing system.