BLOCKING TECHNIQUES FOR DATA STORAGE

摘要

Methods to store a first data structure having zero or more fixed-length data items (208, 214) and a reference (210, 212, 216, 218) to a second data structure are described. The second data structure having a variable-length data item (204) (indicated by the reference) may also be stored in the memory. In addition, methods to validate and repair a pointer element having a file identification portion (228) and a file offset portion (230) are described. The methods include determining (400) if the file identification portion indicates an allocated file and indicating an invalid pointer condition if the file identification portion indicates an unallocated file, else determining (404, 406) if the file offset portion indicates an allocated block in the allocated file, and indicating an invalid pointer condition if the file offset portion indicates an unallocated block. The described methods may be stored in any media that is readable and executable by a programmable control device.