Data structure describing logical data spaces

• US 20070156729A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Shaylor, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/712,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156729A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9024 Graphs; Linked lists G06F16/9027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2205/064 Linked list, i.e. structure using pointers, e.g. allowing non-contiguous address segments in one logical buffer or dynamic buffer space allocation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 5/065 Partitioned buffers, e.g. allowing multiple independent queues, bidirectional FIFO's
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

A data structure is disclosed. The data structure includes a data descriptor record. In turn, the data descriptor record includes a type field, a base address field, an offset field, wherein the, and a length field. The type field may be configured, for example, to indicate a data structure type. The data structure type may be configured to assume a values indicating one of a contiguous buffer, a scatter-gather list and a linked list structure, among other such data structures. The base address field may be configured, for example, to store a base address, with the base address being a starting address of a secondary data structure associated with the data descriptor record. The offset field may be configured, for example, to indicate a starting address of data within a secondary data structure pointed to by a base address stored in the base address field. The length field is configured to indicate a length of data stored in a secondary data structure pointed to by a base address stored in the base address field.

Claims

1-40. -40. (canceled)

41. A data structure comprising:

a data descriptor record, wherein said data descriptor record includes

at least one addressing field, and

a type field, wherein

said type field is configured to indicate a data

structure type of a data storage structure, and

said data storage structure is a data structure described by said data descriptor record.

42. The data structure of claim 41, wherein said at least one addressing field comprises:

a base address field,

an offset field, and

a length field.

43. The data structure of claim 42, wherein

said data structure type if one of a contiguous buffer, a scatter-gather list and a linked list structure.

44. The data structure of claim 42, wherein

said base address field is configured to store a base address, said base address is a starting address of a secondary data structure associated with said data descriptor record, and

said secondary data structure is said data storage structure.

45. The data structure of claim 42, wherein

said offset field is configured to indicate a starting address of data within a secondary data structure pointed to by a base address stored in said base address field, and

said secondary data structure is said data storage structure.

46. The data structure of claim 42, wherein

said length field is configured to indicate a length of data stored in a secondary data structure pointed to by a base address stored in said base address field, and said secondary data structure is said data storage structure.

47. The data structure of claim 42, wherein said data descriptor record further comprises:

a context field.

48. The data structure of claim 47, wherein said context field is configured to store information regarding an address space type in which said data descriptor record exists.

49. The data structure of claim 42, wherein said data descriptor record further comprises:

an in-line data field, and

an in-line data buffer, wherein said data structure is said data storage structure.

50. The data structure of claim 49, wherein said in-line data field is configured to store information regarding said in-line data buffer.

51. The data structure of claim 50, wherein said information regarding said in-line data buffer includes a value representing a length of said in-line data buffer.

52. The data structure of claim 51, wherein said length of said in-line data buffer is capable of assuming only set values.

53. The data structure of claim 52, wherein said value assumes a non-zero value to indicate that said in-line data buffer is used.

54. The data structure of claim 51, wherein said in-line data buffer is a variable-length buffer.

55. The data structure of claim 50, wherein said in-line data buffer is configured to store data contiguously with said data descriptor record.