Patent ID: 7464153
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: G06F,G06N

Abstract:
1. A method in a computer for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes, at least some of the state attributes having values that are requested by client-sources to be used for generating values of other state attributes, the method comprising: receiving a request from a first client for a value of a first of the state attributes; determining a client-source able to generate and supply the requested value of the first state attribute by using a value of at least one other state attribute; requesting the client-source to supply the requested value of the first state attribute; and during generating of the requested value of the first state attribute by the client-source, monitoring requests from the client-source for values of one or more indicated state attributes needed for the generating of the requested value of the first state attribute; monitoring other requests for values of indicated state attributes needed for generating values of state attributes that are indicated in previously monitored requests; and when it is determined that a state attribute indicated in one of the monitored requests is the first state attribute, indicating a presence of a circular reference during the generating of the requested value of the first state attribute, wherein the circular reference can result in computational deadlock.