Client/server system with methods for prefetching and managing semantic objects based on object-based prefetch primitive present in client's executing application

摘要

A client/server system is described incorporating methods for managing object availability through semantic object "load sets." By associating a particular "load set" with each object which might be requested by a client, improved object fetching and cache management is provided. Methods are described for managing object fetching and discarding on a per object basis, not on a per page basis. Each "semantic object" is packaged in a "storable," which incorporates dependency lists indicating the context in which the object is to be used (i.e., with which dependent objects). Additionally, a program developer can specify that the set of behaviors is defined at runtime, using "prefetch" primitives provided by the system. This allows an executing application to prefetch objects based on the then-existing dynamics of the system. With this approach, object availability in a distributed object environment (e.g., Internet) is improved.