Abstract: Efficiency of cached objects such as singleton objects and other software constructs having a first-invocation cost is improved by replacing the software code for creating a method instance (the “creation code”) with the instance itself. Upon first invocation, the calling method causes the first version of the method to be performed, and also causes the first version to be replaced by the second version. Thus, the invention facilitates creation of singleton objects that run without any branch logic, so as to improve speed and efficiency. The need for locking and exception handling is reduced, resultant code is simplified, and potential for error is reduced.

Abstract: A scripting bridge allows a developer to automatically build glue classes to access a scriptable application with standard method calls written in a language such as Objective-C. The Objective-C code sends properly formed Apple events automatically (or events according to some other event protocol), so that the developer is not required to have any knowledge of the scripting language of the target application. Classes can be created dynamically at run-time, including dynamic creation of methods within those classes. Lazy evaluation is employed to avoid unnecessary inter-process communication traffic. The present invention provides a straightforward model for controlling scriptable applications that can result in code that is significantly faster and more efficient than prior art methods.

Abstract: Methods, software media, compilers and programming techniques are described for creating copyable stack-based closures, such as a block, for languages which allocate automatic or local variables on a stack memory structure. In one exemplary method, a data structure of the block is first written to the stack memory structure, and this may be the automatic default operation, at run-time, for the block; then, a block copy instruction, added explicitly (in one embodiment) by a programmer during creation of the block, is executed to copy the block to a heap memory structure. The block includes a function pointer that references a function which uses data in the block.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that correlate a plurality of snapshots of system resources to identify allocation of permanent resource objects are described. Each snapshot may include an inventory of resource objects already allocated at the time of the snapshot. The plurality of snapshots may be taken at different instants over a period of time. Temporarily allocated resource objects may be filtered from the plurality of snapshots to identify permanent resource objects according to the correlation among the plurality of snapshots.

Abstract: Methods, software media, compilers and programming techniques are described for creating copyable stack-based closures, such as a block, for languages which allocate automatic or local variables on a stack memory structure. In one exemplary method, a data structure of the block is first written to the stack memory structure, and this may be the automatic default operation, at run-time, for the block; then, a block copy instruction, added explicitly (in one embodiment) by a programmer during creation of the block, is executed to copy the block to a heap memory structure. The block includes a function pointer that references a function which uses data in the block.

Abstract: Efficiency of cached objects such as singleton objects and other software constructs having a first-invocation cost is improved by replacing the software code for creating a method instance (the “creation code”) with the instance itself. Upon first invocation, the calling method causes the first version of the method to be performed, and also causes the first version to be replaced by the second version. Thus, the invention facilitates creation of singleton objects that run without any branch logic, so as to improve speed and efficiency. The need for locking and exception handling is reduced, resultant code is simplified, and potential for error is reduced.

Abstract: A scripting bridge allows a developer to automatically build glue classes to access a scriptable application with standard method calls written in a language such as Objective-C. The Objective-C code sends properly formed Apple events automatically (or events according to some other event protocol), so that the developer is not required to have any knowledge of the scripting language of the target application. Classes can be created dynamically at run-time, including dynamic creation of methods within those classes. Lazy evaluation is employed to avoid unnecessary inter-process communication traffic. The present invention provides a straightforward model for controlling scriptable applications that can result in code that is significantly faster and more efficient than prior art methods.

Abstract: Mounting and populating a mirrored version of at least a portion of a file system of a recruiter machine at a volunteer machine performing one or more data processing tasks for the recruiter machine is disclosed. In some embodiments, an input stored in such a dedicated file system for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine may be locally retrieved and reused, if still consistent with a corresponding input stored in a file system at the recruiter machine, when performing a data processing task for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine. In some embodiments, if an input required by the volunteer machine to perform a data processing task for the recruiter machine is not cached in such a dedicated file system for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine in a state that is consistent with a corresponding input stored in a file system at the recruiter machine, the input is obtained from the recruiter machine.