Patent ID: 7424496
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A process for updating a database entry in a computer storage, the process comprising operations of: invalidating the database entry by changing a valid indicator which indicates whether the database entry is valid, the valid indicator being changed from a value which indicates that the database entry is valid to a value which indicates that the database entry is invalid; obtaining an indication that one or more first tasks have completed one or more first processing operations after invalidating the database entry, wherein in each first processing operation, the one or more first tasks do not access the database entry without first checking the valid indicator to ascertain that the database entry is valid, and wherein in at least one first processing operation, the one or more first tasks are operable to check the valid indicator before invalidating the database entry but to finish reading the database entry after the database entry has been invalidated in the operation of invalidating the database entry; and updating the database entry when said indication has been obtained.