Proactively communicating information between processes through a message repository

摘要

A method and apparatus for proactively communicating information between processes through a message repository is provided. To communicate with other processes, a process may post a message to a message repository. Other processes may, at regular or irregular intervals, search the message repository for new messages that have been posted to the repository since the last search, and retrieve those new messages. Processes may post and retrieve messages relative to the message repository by invoking methods provided by an application programming interface (API). By posting a message to the message repository, a particular process can inform other interested processes proactively of actions that the particular process has taken, is taking, or will take. By retrieving messages from the message repository, a process can determine what actions other processes have taken, are taking, or will take, and adjust accordingly.

主权项

1. A method of interprocess communication, the method comprising:
a first process causing a database server to store, in a message database, a message whose content explicitly identifies an action that said first process will perform; said first process performing said action after causing said database server to store, in said message database, said message; a second process causing said database server to retrieve said message from said message database; wherein said second process performs a responsive action specified by the content of said message; wherein said first process is separate from said second process; wherein said first process and said second process are separate from said database server; wherein said action does not involve said message database; wherein said first process and said second process execute computer programs on one or more computing devices; and wherein said first process is not said action.