The described embodiments distribute and synchronize objects in a network. More specifically, the described embodiments distribute copies of objects locally (i.e., store copies of objects in local address spaces). By storing a copy of a given object in a local address space, the object's methods may be executed locally, which can help to avoid excessive network traffic associated with remotely executing the object's methods. However, executing an object's methods locally can result in the state of the object (i.e., data associated with the object, etc.) becoming out of sync with other copies of the object in the network. To avoid issues associated with unsynchronized copies of the object in the network, the described embodiments use a policy that specifies conditions under which objects are to be synchronized.

A network storage system comprises data storage, one or more file system APIs, and a metadata handler. The data storage can comprise file data and associated metadata. The file system APIs can be configured to read and write file data and metadata to and from the data storage. The metadata handler can have a library of functions for handling the metadata. The library can include a metadata blob creation function and a metadata blob extraction function. The metadata blob creation function cooperates with the file system APIs to read source metadata associated with specified file data and creates and populates a metadata blob from which a substantial copy of the source metadata can be generated. The metadata blob extraction function receives at least a metadata blob, extracts information from the metadata blob, and cooperates with the file system APIs to generate destination metadata, a substantial copy of the source metadata.

A system for tracking client contacts for a host organization utilizes a multimedia database and a user interface at a connected computer device. The database stores client communications as full content, and relates contacts by issue, and the user interface displays client contact communications as objects, such as icons, in issue related chronological strings. In a preferred embodiment the interface also provides an input facility for a host agent to select appropriate responses to client communications, to make commitments for response, to assign responsibility for commitments, and to notify personnel affected by entered commitments in various ways, such as reminders. Other notifications include fulfilled and unfulfilled commitments.

A method and system for accurately estimating a result size of a Group-By operation in a relational database. The estimate utilizes the probability of union of the columns involved in the operation, as well as the relative cardinality of each column with respect to the other columns in the operation. In addition, the estimate incorporates the use of table filters when indicated such that table filters are applied prior to determining the size of the tables in the operation, as well as including equivalent columns into the list of columns that are a part of the Group-By operation. Accordingly, the estimate of the result size of the operation includes influencing factors that provide an accurate estimation of system memory requirements.

Techniques are provided for a fully-automated process for tuning database query language statements that selects database query language statements for tuning, tunes the database query language statements and generates tuning recommendations, tests the tuning recommendations, and determines whether to implement the tuning recommendations based on the test results. The fully-automated tuning process may also automatically implement certain tuning recommendations and monitor the performance of the database query language statements for which tuning recommendations have been implemented.

The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of searching an RDF triples data store of the type in which the triples are maintained in accord with a first storage schema. The method includes inputting a first query specifying RDF triples that are to be identified in the data store. That first query assumes either (i) that the triples are stored in a schema-less manner (i.e., with no storage schema) or (ii) that the triples are maintained in accord with a second storage schema that differs from the first. The method further includes generating, from the first query, a second query that specifies those same RDF triples, yet, that reflects the first storage schema. That second query can be applied to the RDF triples data store in order to identify and/or retrieve the desired data.

An electronic media distribution/play system includes a service facility that has a communications network interface and maintains a data file catalog. The catalog is sent over the network to requesting users, and the system processes payments from customers in establishing file access authorizations. Encrypted user-selected files and a player program are transmitted to each customer for metered access to received data files as limited by the authorization, and customers can make additional selections and play the encrypted files freely while the authorization remains established. The system can transmit the data files from local storage, and also provide links to encrypted files that are stored at remote vendor facilities. Authorizations can be for selected portions or class levels of the catalog, and for terms measured as calendar time, play time, and collective number of plays. Also disclosed is a method for facilitating the distribution and accessing of electronic files.

Data storage systems monitor the performance of data storage operations on a granular level and compile the information for presenting to a user. The system measures the time of execution for individual granular stages of the storage operation and in response to the monitoring results, automatically adjust parameters to optimize performance. Further, the system performs a performance test by simulating the data storage operation, but may not actually write the data to the secondary storage medium.

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment includes, for each repository data chunk in repository data that comprises a plurality of the repository data chunks, generating a corresponding set of repository distinguishing characteristics (RDCs). Each set of RDCs is generated by: applying a hash function to the respective input data chunk or repository data chunk to generate a plurality of hashes, each hash comprising a hash value and a hash position within the data chunk, applying a first function to the plurality of generated hashes to identify a first subset of hashes distributed across the data chunk, applying a second function to the hash positions of the hashes of the first subset to identify a second subset of the plurality of generated hashes, and defining the second subset of hashes as the set of RDCs.

A method and apparatus are provided for generating a document preview. According to the method, a preview handler provides an interface to one or more previewers. The previewers are software components capable of generating a visual preview for one or more document types. In response to a request from a host application to generate a preview for a document, the preview handler is operative to identify the appropriate previewer for generating a preview for the document. The preview handler may then call the previewer and instruct the previewer to load the document and to show the preview in a sub-window of a window provided by the calling host application.