Methods, systems, and configured storage media are provided for discovering software updates, discovering if a given computer can use the software update, and then updating the computers with the software as needed automatically across a network without storing the updates on an intermediate machine within the network. Furthermore, when a failure is detected, the rollout is stopped and the software can be automatically removed from those computers that already were updated. The software update can be stored originally at an address that is inaccessible through the network firewall by intermediately uploading the software update to an update computer which is not a part of the network but has access through the firewall, which is then used to distribute the update.

Non-invasive automatic offsite patch fingerprinting and updating system and method

A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the surgical cutting and stapling apparatus to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position.

Disposable motor-driven loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatus

Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased computer software calls the update service on a periodic basis. The update service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software may be out-of-date, and/or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to the update service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.), and new and enhanced versions of existing products, which can be purchased electronically by a user from the update service.

Method and system for identifying and obtaining computer software from a remote computer

An intelligent framework is provided that is disposed between a high-level language environment and a database system environment According to one embodiment, the framework programmatically receives information regarding definitions of data structures of objects participating in a software application and information regarding relationships among the objects Based upon the particular request from the high-level language environment and upon the definitions and relationships, the framework programmatically and dynamically generates appropriate statements associated with the database system environment that accomplish the request For example, the framework may issue statements to define the structure of a database, access information from the database, and/or manipulate information within the database

Software framework that facilitates design and implementation of database applications

A software package manager uses a distribution unit containing components for a software package and a manifest file that describes the distribution unit to manage the installation, execution, and uninstallation of software packages on a computer. Information in the manifest file pertaining to a software package is stored in a code store data structure upon installation of the package. The manifest file also contains information that permits the software package manager to resolve any software dependencies upon installation. The software package manager uses the code store data structure to locate the required components when the software is executed and to remove the components appropriately when the software is uninstalled.

Software package management

Installation of a multi-package distribution software pack (45) is split into installation of each dominant, or primary, package and installation of the dependent, or secondary, packages dependent on that dominant package. The dependent packages are installed (129) before or after installation (122) of the dominant package depending upon the constraints of the target system for the installation. As the dominant package is installed or delayed for later installation, an action list of dependent packages to be installed is built, and a trailer script executable by the installation utility is created (114) to install the dependent packages on the action list. Since a dependent package may also be a dominant package, the flow of operations in the invention are layered to add additional entries on the action list for additional dependent packages dependent from a dominant package that is dependent from another dominant package.

Multiple-package installation with package dependencies

A software package installed on a UNIX system V computer system is repaired by installing a System V software patch package. During installation of the patch package using the pkgadd utility and scripts in the patch package, a backout software package is constructed. This backout package will, when later installed on the computer system using pkgadd, operate to restore the software in the computer system to its original state before installation of the patch package.

Software patch architecture

A file system for use in a network computer system has a server file system in the server, which contains at least some file elements to be selectively accessed by the client. An overlay file system is assigned to the client within the server, and contains at least some file elements that have corresponding file elements in the server file system. The overlay file system is configured to provide an overlay file system element to the client when the file element exists in the overlay file system, and to allow access to a server file element when a corresponding file elements does not exist in the overlay file system. Through the use of such file system, a network file system can be configured to allow the client to write to it, with the appearance to the client that it is writing directly to the server file system. The overlay file system permits the installation or updating of software applications to client computers in very little time compared to previous techniques, and enabling the client computers to change or customize their operating environments, particularly those using shared file elements, without the involvement of system operators and without affecting the operations of other client computers.

Reference based software installation

A software package is installed to multiple target systems in a client/server distributed processing system. The software package is installed on program files of the server. A target list of clients served by the server is established, and the software package is installed on program files of each client in the target list. In one embodiment, the software package contains installation options for each client in the target list, and the target list establishing operation analyzes each client to determine what, if any, installation options are to be installed on the client and constructs a target list of clients and installation options for each client as determined by the analysis. In another embodiment, the software package contains additional software packages for each client on the target list and the target list establishing operation analyzes each client to determine if one or more client-specific packages are to be installed on the client and what are the to-be-installed, client-specific packages. The installing operation in this embodiment reads from the target list a client entry, identifying a client and client-specific packages for the client, and installs onto the file system of the client the client-specific packages identified in the client entry.

System for multiple-client software installation and upgrade

Provided is a method, system, program, and data structures for generating a user interface. An application program processes data and generates application output and a user interface module processes the application output to generate output data to render on an output device. The user interface module generates output data to render on the output device in response to processing statements in the user interface module. The user interface module reaches a processing point where the user interface module does not include statements to generate output data. After reaching the processing point, the user interface module receives an interaction object from the application program specifying data to generate as output data. The user interface module then generates output data to render on the output device from the interaction object.

Julian S. Taylor

Papers

Multiple-package installation with package dependencies

Software patch architecture

Reference based software installation

System for multiple-client software installation and upgrade

Method, system, and program for generating a user interface