Enhanced version retention systems and methods

In some variants computing systems and methods are described in regard to protecting a first function in a first computing environment by proactively and selectively recording artifacts that support the function, thus allowing a computing environment to retrieve the older artifacts even after newer versions are implemented. Such proactive retention allows a restoration of or other reliable access to the function, even after attacks or other unnoticed changes to the function, optionally as a component of a software migration to a safer computing environment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description that follows is represented largely in terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations by conventional computer components, including a processor, memory storage devices for the processor, connected display devices, and input devices. Furthermore, some of these processes and operations may utilize conventional computer components in a heterogeneous distributed computing environment, including remote file servers, computer servers, and memory storage devices.

It is intended that the terminology used in the description presented below be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain example embodiments. Although certain terms may be emphasized below, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such.

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” and the like are used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. “After,” “alphanumeric,” “altered,” “application-specific,” “associated,” “authorized,” “automatic,” “based,” “component,” “comprising,” “computing,” “conditional,” “configured,” “consecutive,” “corresponding,” “defined,” “detected,” “enabled,” “executable,” “expressed,” “facilitated,” “first,” “identified,” “implemented,” “in,” “indicative,” “invoked,” “manifested,” “new,” “obtained,” “other,” “particular,” “preparatory,” “private,” “protected,” “public,” “recent,” “remote,” “removed,” “responsive,” “scrambled,” “second,” “semantic,” “signaled,” “so as,” “spawned,” “special-purpose,” “subsequent,” “suggested,” “suitable,” “supported,” “synonymous,” “third,” “translated,” “triggered,” “wherein,” “without,” or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not merely as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise. In light of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand from context what is meant by “remote” and by other such positional descriptors used herein. Likewise, they will understand what is meant by “partly based” or other such descriptions of dependent computational variables/signals. “Numerous” as used herein refers to more than one dozen. “Instantaneous” as used herein refers to having a duration of less than 0.1 seconds unless context dictates otherwise “Immediate” as used herein refers to having a duration of less than 2 seconds unless context dictates otherwise. Circuitry or data items are “onboard” as used herein if they are aboard a vehicle or denoting or controlled from a facility or feature incorporated into the main circuit board of a computer or computerized device unless context dictates otherwise. Circuitry is “invoked” as used herein if it is called on to undergo voltage state transitions so that digital signals are transmitted therefrom or therethrough unless context dictates otherwise. Software is “invoked” as used herein if it is executed/triggered unless context dictates otherwise. One number is “on the order” of another if they differ by less than an order of magnitude (i.e., by less than a factor of ten) unless context dictates otherwise. As used herein a term like “PHP parser” or “second-language parser” is used to identify a parser that is configured to parse one or more versions of the identified language but unable to parse one or more other device-executable languages. As used herein “causing” is not limited to a proximate cause but also enabling, conjoining, or other actual causes of an event or phenomenon.

Terms like “processor,” “center,” “unit,” “computer,” or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal sense, in reference to an inanimate structure. Such terms do not include any people, irrespective of their location or employment or other association with the thing described, unless context dictates otherwise. “For” is not used to articulate a mere intended purpose in phrases like “circuitry for” or “instruction for,” moreover, but is used normally, in descriptively identifying special purpose software or structures.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates one or more distributed or other data-handling media100comprising one or more instances of parsers114, of interpreters115, of compilers116, of functions117, of translators118, of transpilers (e.g., combining a translator118with a compiler116), of vulnerabilities119, of services120, or of other such software110or other data items in which one or more technologies may be implemented. In some contexts, for example, such items may include various versions121-123of expressions of legacy programming languages125, each at least partly defined by a respective (instance of a) language specification130. Most primitives131, keywords132, or other terms133of such languages correspond to one or more instances of definitions135, of rules137, or of other protocols139of parsing or translation, for example. Such relationships may be manifested in one or more dictionaries or other tables174, in machine-readable or other programming code175, or in other content176such as translations178. In some variants, for example, code that exists in a first environment191may include several programming instruction series181-183, some of which may feature a vulnerability119by which an exploitative script169may be injected or otherwise built, subjecting that environment191to malware. Worse, as naked source code (such as conventional JavaScript or PHP scripts) exhibits such vulnerabilities119, present and future instruction series184,185in other computing environments192may likewise become vulnerable as more and more hackers understand them.

FIG. 2schematically illustrates one or more memories or other data-handling media200comprising one or more instances of parsers214, of interpreters215, of compilers216, of functions217, of translators218, of vulnerabilities219, of services220, or of other such data items279in which one or more technologies may be implemented more safely. In some contexts, for example, such items279may include various versions221-223of polyscripted or other expressions of systematically diversified programming languages225each at least partly defined by a respective (instance of a) language specification230. Most or all primitives231, keywords232, or other terms233of each such language225described herein correspond to one or more instances of definitions235, of rules237, or of other protocols239of parsing, for example. Such relationships may be manifested in one or more dictionaries or other tables274, in machine-readable or other programming code275, or in other content276such as translations278by which one or more programming instruction series281-282may each migrate to a safer computing environment292. As used herein terms like “safer” describe a software object relative to another object, signaling that the software object lacks one or more recognized attack-vector-vulnerabilities of the other object.

In some variants, for example, programming instruction series284-285may at least avoid a risk of first-language scripts169being injected into environment292by virtue of environment292lacking a first-language interpreter115or similar vulnerability119. In some variants, for example, a suitable second language225may be generated by scrambling as described here:

FIG. 3schematically illustrates salient aspects of a system300by which at-risk software110that is valid in a first programming language125operable in a first environment391can migrate to a translated second programming language225operable in a safer second environment392via one or more interstitial languages operable in one or more interstitial computing or other environments93A. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the first programming language125includes well-known heritage-language terms133A-C implicitly or otherwise defined in a parser114, interpreter115, compiler116, or other such service120operable (e.g., upon one or more instruction series381,382) in the first environment391. For example a language specification130A of (an instance of) the first language125may define a term133A of “String” with a corresponding definition135A, a term133B of “Import” with a corresponding definition135B, and a term133C of “List” with a corresponding definition135C (e.g., in a table174A thereof). The use of such services120may impose one or more instances of rules137A, of parameters138A, or of other (aspects of) protocols139A as further described below.

Likewise, an interstitial language scrambled or otherwise derived from the first programming language125may include various corresponding terms333A-C at least partly defined in a service120operable upon instruction series383in an interstitial environment93A as shown. For example an interstitial language specification330A as shown may define a heritage-language term333A of “String” with a corresponding definition335A, a derived term333B of “String” with an effectively identical definition, and another derived term333C of “String” with the same definition (e.g., in a table374A thereof). The use of such services120may impose one or more instances of rules137A, of parameters138A, or of other (aspects of) protocols139A as further described below.

In some contexts, one or more instances of rules337A, of parameters338A, or of other interstitial-environment protocols339A may manifest two or more such synonymous terms333A-C so as to implement interstitial watermarking as described below. Alternatively or additionally such manifestations may implement term aliasing that maintains human-readability in the derived interstitial language or in first-language instruction series384selectively accessible in the interstitial environment93A (e.g., so as to permit inductive function calls to compiled heritage code175being triggered by one or more aliased terms333B-C) as further described below.

Likewise, a language225scrambled or otherwise derived from the first programming language125may include various corresponding terms233B-C at least partly defined in a service220operable upon instruction series385,386in an environment392as shown (e.g., in a table274A thereof). For example language specification230A as shown may maintain a derived term233B of “String” with an effectively identical definition235A as that of another derived term233C of “String” so that either will behave (nominally) in the same way when invoked in the environment392. Alternatively or additionally a heritage-language term233A like “String” may be rendered inoperable in such downstream environments in some variants of rules237A, of parameters238A, or of other downstream-environment protocols239A. In some variants, for example, such protocols239A may comprise containerized monitoring, real-time notifications or lockdowns, or other exceptional security event handling.

FIG. 4schematically illustrates salient aspects of a system400by which software110that is valid in a first programming language125operable in a first environment491can migrate to a translated second programming language225operable in a safer second environment492via a compound translation478with or without any interstitial environments93A. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the first programming language125includes heritage-language terms133D-F implemented in a parser114, interpreter115, compiler116, or other such service120operable in (an instance of) the first environment491. For example a language specification130B of (an instance of) the first language125may define a term133D with a corresponding inductive definition135D, a term133E with a corresponding bootstrap definition135E, and a term133F with an explicit closed definition135F (e.g., in a table174B thereof). The use of such services120may impose one or more instances of rules137B, of parameters138B, or of other (aspects of) protocols139B as described herein.

Likewise, a language225derived from the first programming language125may include human-readable or other corresponding terms233D-F at least partly defined in a service220operable upon instruction series485in an environment492as shown (e.g., in a table274B thereof). For example, language specification230B as shown may include several working definitions235D-F each corresponding to a respective term even though some such terms were derived from self-referential, bootstrap, or other “open” upstream expressions. In some contexts, in which environment492is an instance of environment392, moreover, one or more rules237B, parameters238B, or other downstream-environment protocols239B may invoke special handling when evidence of injected code275or other suspicious phenomena are encountered.

FIG. 5schematically illustrates one or more distributed or other data-handling media500comprising one or more instances of builder version identifiers513, of parser version identifiers514, of interpreter version identifiers515, of just-in-time (JIT) or other compiler version identifiers516, of function version identifiers517, of translator version identifiers518, of semantic version identifiers519, of service version identifiers520, or of other names or other alphanumeric expressions of object versioning in which one or more technologies may be implemented. In some contexts, for example, such items may include various resource content identifiers521-123of digital expressions in or of various programming languages525. Associations described herein relating such versions to each other or to other objects may be expressed in one or more index files529, which may include internal version identifiers563as well as coarser expressions of progress. As used herein a “digital resource” may include one or more instances of application instruction series184, source code, Application Programmer Interfaces (API's) or other digital libraries, operating systems577, utility tokens or implementations, other device-executable software110, or a combination thereof.

Some variants described below include one or more instances of universal record locators567or other instances of identifiers568, of statuses574or other codes575, of other content576such as operating systems577or builds578, or other digital structures510as further described below. Such structures may include one or more instances of images594, of public keys595, of private keys596, of timestamps597, of thresholds598, or of relevant time periods599.

FIG. 6schematically illustrates salient aspects of a system600in which access to one or more of the above-described functions will be protected according to one or more technologies described herein. As shown, one or more builders613A act upon an environment692A so that one or more primary digital resources651therein that previously relied upon (invocations of) ephemeral versions of native secondary digital resources653for such functions117,217can instead rely upon reliable replicated (versions of such) resources2653. To alleviate a risk of functional degradation associated with a network state2026that may change soon, such replicated resources may be backed up into one or more repositories683each with timestamps597signaling time periods in which they were respectively accessed. This can occur, for example, in a context in which such access is performed periodically (checksums or other digital attributes of) recent retrievals are compared to ascertain whether a latest retrieval signals a transition from a prior value and thus warrants retention.

Although such modifications may generally constitute forward progress, various device-executable software may lose functionality also, particularly when they have numerous dependencies upon native secondary digital resources653-655controlled by different entities. By proactively exercising systematic diligence so as to preserve target digital resources651,653selectively (e.g. by making corresponding replicated digital resources2651,2653thereof for some digital resources651,653but not all digital resources652), a reversibility of such fine-grain modifications becomes viable even for large networks. In a context in which a client identifies one or more primary digital resources651that invoke one or more functions of native digital resource654, for example, a responsive replication thereof as shown may be triggered. In some variants a client may designate one or more such resources indirectly, such as by selecting or articulating one or more rules137,237,337by which designated digital resources may be included into a recordation or excluded from the recordation or other migration.

FIG. 7schematically illustrates subsequent system700in which access to one or more of the above-described functions is being protected according to one or more technologies described herein. As shown, not all digital resources of prior environments692A remain natively accessible. Network state2026no longer exists and in its place is network state2027. Some digital resources652,655of network state2026persist but other digital resources651,653,654have been superseded or otherwise removed. But replicated primary digital resource2651can be used to restore an earlier primary digital resource651automatically or upon request, in some embodiments, and the replicated secondary digital resources2653-2655may likewise be restored.

In addition one or more intermediate builders613B act upon an environment692B so that one or more newer primary digital resources751therein that rely upon (invocations of) ephemeral versions of native secondary digital resources753-754for their functions can instead rely upon reliable replicated (versions of such) digital resources as shown inFIG. 8. To alleviate a risk of functional degradation associated with a network state2027that may change soon, such replicated digital resources2751may likewise be written into the one or more repositories683each with timestamps597signaling when they were respectively accessed.

FIG. 8schematically illustrates another subsequent system800in which access to one or more of the above-described functions is being protected according to one or more technologies described herein. As shown, not all aspects of environment692B remain functional. Network state2027has been supplanted by network state2028. As shown some native digital resources652,754of prior network states2026,2027persist but other digital resources655,751,753no longer operate natively. But replicated primary digital resource2751can be used to restore primary digital resource751as needed, and one or more replicated secondary digital resources2753upon which it depends may also be restored automatically or on request (or both).

In addition one or more advanced builders613C act upon an environment692C so that newer primary digital resources855therein that rely upon (invocations of) ephemeral versions of native secondary digital resources853for their functions can instead rely upon reliable replicated (versions of such) digital resources2853as shown. To alleviate a risk of functional degradation associated with a network state2028that may change soon, such replicated digital resources2753,2754may likewise be retrieved into the one or more repositories683each with timestamps597or other appropriate indicia of versioning.

Alternatively or additionally one or more such outdated builders613A may be adapted to facilitate translations278or other variant implementations of an outdated environment692A, depicted inFIG. 8as an “alternate” environment692D acted upon by one or more alternate builders613D. Such implementations may mitigate a vulnerability119that would otherwise be re-introduced by reverting to an outdated environment692A or builder613A. See descriptions ofFIGS. 9 and 13-19below.

FIG. 9schematically illustrates salient aspects of a system900by which software110that is operable in a first environment991can migrate to one or more other environments992A-B, either of which may be an instance of the above-described safer environments292,392,492,692. In some contexts, for example, each instruction series981,983A that migrates (e.g. to become series982A and series984as shown) is fully transformed and thereby made subject to a single set of rules237, of parameters238, or of protocols239of a monolithic destination environment992A. In other destinations, a subset of instruction series981that migrates (e.g. to become series982B as shown) is fully transformed and thereby made subject to a first set of rules237, of parameters238, or of protocols239of a hybrid destination environment992B. But another subset of instruction series983A that migrates (e.g. to become series983B as shown) is unsuccessfully built or otherwise unsuitable for full transformation, necessitating another set of (one or more) rules237, of parameters238, or of protocols239of the hybrid destination environment992B. In some variants, for example, more vetting may be applied upon all users or processes before access to the latter is permitted.

In an effort to reduce reliance upon one or more upstream environments191,991being maintained, a builder913A of one or more destination environments992A may preserve a tarball908A or other package909A as artifacts910A by which some or all digital resources of the upstream environment(s)191,991may be migrated, tracked, or preserved. Such digital resources may include one or more instances of dependencies907, of patches920, of release version identifiers924or other primary version identifiers, of addresses968, of crawlers971or other bots972that aggregate such digital resources, of tags973describing such digital resources, or of other such instances of code975. Likewise a builder913B of (one or more) other destination environments992B may preserve a tarball908B or other package909B as artifacts910B by which some or all digital resources of the upstream environment(s)191,991may be migrated, tracked, or preserved.

FIG. 10schematically illustrates one or more distributed or other data-handling system1000configured to facilitate trans-oceanic monitoring and comprising transistor-based circuitry1028in one or more data networks1050, in which one or more technologies may be implemented. In the interest of concision and according to standard usage in information management technologies, the functional attributes of modules described herein are set forth in natural language expressions. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that such expressions (functions or acts recited in English, e.g.) adequately describe structures identified below so that no undue experimentation will be required for their implementation. For example, any session parameters or other informational data identified herein may easily be represented digitally as a voltage configuration on one or more electrical nodes (conductive pads of an integrated circuit, e.g.) of an event-sequencing structure without any undue experimentation. Each electrical node is highly conductive, having a corresponding nominal voltage level that is spatially uniform generally throughout the node (within a device or local system as described herein, e.g.) at relevant times (at clock transitions, e.g.). Such nodes (lines on an integrated circuit or circuit board, e.g.) may each comprise a forked or other signal path adjacent one or more transistors. Moreover, many Boolean values (yes-or-no decisions, e.g.) may each be manifested as either a “low” or “high” voltage, for example, according to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), emitter-coupled logic (ECL), or other common semiconductor configuration protocol. In some contexts, for example, one skilled in the art will recognize an “electrical node set” as used herein in reference to one or more electrically conductive nodes upon which a voltage configuration (of one voltage at each node, for example, with each voltage characterized as either high or low) manifests a yes/no decision or other digital data.

Such circuitry1028may comprise one or more integrated circuits (ICs), for example, optionally mounted on one or more circuit boards. Whether implemented in a distributed cloud or within one or more apparatuses1087A-B described herein, transistor-based circuitry1028comprises an event-sequencing structure generally as described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0094046 but configured as described herein. Transistor-based circuitry1028may (optionally) include one or more instances of parsing modules1031-1032configured for local processing, for example, each including an electrical node set1041-1042upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration1051-1052. Transistor-based circuitry1028may likewise include one or more instances of configuration modules1033configured for triggering remote processing (using cloud-based instances of circuitry described herein, for example), each including an electrical node set1043upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration1053. Transistor-based circuitry1028may (optionally) likewise include one or more instances of recognition modules1034configured for triggering remote processing (using cloud-based instances of circuitry described herein, for example), each including an electrical node set1044upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration1054. Transistor-based circuitry1028may likewise include one or more instances of interface modules1035-1036configured for engaging a builder613,1413or other suitable agent, each including an electrical node set1045-1046upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration1055-1056. Transistor-based circuitry1028may (optionally) likewise include one or more instances of processing modules1037configured for selecting a builder1413or other suitable agent, each including an electrical node set1047upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration1057. Transistor-based circuitry1028may likewise include one or more instances of invocation modules1038configured for invoking other particular modules selectively as described herein, each including an electrical node set1048upon which informational data is represented digitally as a corresponding voltage configuration1058.

In some variants, for example, a server or other apparatus1087A in North America may manifest an instance of a migration path1004between an original computing environment191,391,491and a computing environment292,392,492,692. Some such paths may pass through multiple computing or other interstitial environments93B-F of which some may provide one or more rules337, parameters338, or other aspects of respective protocols339thereof to implement one or more watermarks1022or other security tags1025thereof, such as with a judicious use of non-printing characters. Alternatively, or additionally, cloud implementation circuitry1028or a local apparatus1087A (or a combination thereof) may maintain a list1027of tasks, needs, or digital resources as further described below. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more such interstitial environments93B-F may (optionally) each need a respective build script1061or run script1062or both as further described below, so that several clients seeking access to upstream content may each be monitored in a respectively distinct interstitial environment. Data flow diagrams featuring a remote apparatus1087B (e.g. a client, hub, or hacker in Europe) are provided below.

As used herein a “version” of a digital object refers to a variant having partial structural identically with the object or partial functional identically with the object (or both). For example, two “versions” of semicolons may exist in respective programming languages125,225if at least one rule137,237,337applicable to one does not apply to the other. As used herein a first version121-123of an instruction series or other software object is “less safe” than a second version221-223of the object if one or more vulnerabilities119present in the first version are not present in the second version. In some contexts, it is advantageous to migrate a population of instruction series to a less-safe language version or environment93C-D (e.g., to facilitate access by an authenticated entity for analysis or augmentation) and then to a safer version or environment93E. As used herein a modification of a digital item is “facilitated” by triggering, enabling, defining, signaling, or causing the modification (or a combination of these).

Referring now toFIG. 11, there is shown a client device1100in which one or more technologies may be implemented. Client device1100may include one or more instances of processors1102, of memories1104, user inputs1108, and of (speakers or other) presentation hardware1112all interconnected along with the network interface1106via a bus1116. One or more network interfaces1106allow device1100to connect via the Internet or other networks150). Memory1104generally comprises a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read only memory (“ROM”), and a permanent mass storage device, such as a disk drive.

Memory1104may contain one or more instances of operating systems1110, of web browsers1114, of other local apps1124, or of other modules that facilitate operations described herein. These and other software components may be loaded from a non-transitory computer readable storage medium1118into memory1104of the client device1100using a drive mechanism (not shown) associated with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium1118, such as a floppy disc, tape, DVD/CD-ROM drive, flash card, memory card, or the like. In some embodiments, software or other digital components may be loaded via the network interface1106, rather than via a computer readable storage medium1118. Special-purpose circuitry1122(implementing a security feature1160, e.g.) may, in some variants, include some or all of the event-sequencing logic described herein. In some embodiments client device1100may include many more components than those shown inFIG. 11, but it is not necessary that all conventional components of a mobile device be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment.

Referring now toFIG. 12, there is shown a server1200in which one or more technologies may be implemented. Server1200may include one or more instances of processors1202, of memories1204, user inputs1208, and of (speakers or other) presentation hardware1212all interconnected along with the network interface1206via a bus1216. One or more network interfaces1206allow server1200to connect via the Internet or other networks150). Memory1204generally comprises a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read only memory (“ROM”), and a permanent mass storage device, such as a disk drive.

Memory1204may contain one or more instances of operating systems1210, of websites1214, of aggregation modules1226, or of preference implementation services or other such control modules that facilitate modeling the preferences of a user/client. These and other software components may be loaded from a non-transitory computer readable storage medium1218into memory1204of the server1200using a drive mechanism (not shown) associated with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium1218, such as a floppy disc, tape, DVD/CD-ROM drive, flash card, memory card, or the like. In some embodiments, software or other digital components may be loaded via the network interface1206, rather than via a computer readable storage medium1218. Special-purpose circuitry1222may, in some variants, include some or all of the event-sequencing logic described herein. In some embodiments server1200may include many more components than those shown inFIG. 12, but it is not necessary that all conventional components of a server be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 13illustrates an operational flow1300suitable for use with at least one embodiment, such as may be performed on a client device1100or server1200using special-purpose circuitry thereof. As will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, not all events of information management are illustrated inFIG. 13. Rather, for clarity, only those steps reasonably relevant to describing the security-enhanced computing interaction aspects of flow1300are shown and described. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the present embodiment is merely one exemplary embodiment and that variations on the present embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the broader inventive concept set forth in the clauses and claims below.

Operation1305describes obtaining a prioritized list and attributes for each instruction series or similar item to advance.

Operation1320begins an iterative protocol performed upon each instruction series or other item that may be needed in one or more downstream environments.

Operation1330performs a configuration of any authorizations or similar digital resources that may be needed along an intended path for the item.

Operation1345begins an iterative protocol performed upon each successive movement of the current item to a next downstream environment.

Operation1600signals invoking a flow by which the item may be advanced to the next downstream environment. SeeFIG. 16.

Operation1365signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed to advance the current item downstream.

Operation1375signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed upon each item moved.

Operation1385signals a determination whether a current list still signals one or more migrations are needed. If so, control passes back to operation1305.

Otherwise operation1399signals a completion of the operational flow1300, such as by returning a result signaling a successful migration.

FIG. 14illustrates an operational flow1400suitable for use with at least one embodiment, such as may be performed on a client device1100or server1200using special-purpose circuitry thereof. As will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, not all events of information management are illustrated inFIG. 14. Rather, for clarity, only those steps reasonably relevant to describing the security-enhanced computing interaction aspects of flow1400are shown and described. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the present embodiment is merely one exemplary embodiment and that variations on the present embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the broader inventive concept set forth in the clauses and claims below.

Operation1415describes obtaining an item list and attributes for each instruction series or similar item to advance.

Operation1435describes configuring one or more digital resources at a next environment for which the furthest-upstream item is bound.

Operation1455begins an iterative protocol by which other items alongside the furthest-upstream item are designated in turn.

Operation1600signals invoking a flow by which the item may be advanced to the next downstream environment. SeeFIG. 16.

Operation1470signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed upon each item moved.

Operation1485signals a determination whether a current list still signals one or more migrations are needed. If so, control passes back to operation1425.

Otherwise operation1499signals a completion of the operational flow1400, such as by returning a result signaling a successful migration.

Referring now toFIG. 15, there is shown a waypoint1500comprising an interstitial environment1592positioned between one or more upstream environments1591and one or more downstream environment1593. The one or more upstream environments feature an established or other legacy language specification130in which at least one (kind of) legacy instruction1505defines a first argument1501and a second argument1502in that order. As a part of one or more upstream translations1578, however, a transposition is implemented so that in the instruction1505at environment1592, a corresponding first argument1501must be presented after a corresponding second argument1502. Such a translation1578might effectively convert an IF-THEN instruction in a legacy language into a TH #N-/F instruction, for example, confounding malware that could otherwise glean or modify the meaning of an instruction series that included one or more such modified-grammar instructions1505.

FIG. 16illustrates an operational flow1600suitable for use with at least one embodiment, such as may be performed on a client device1100or server1200(or both) using special-purpose circuitry thereof. As will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, not all events of information management are illustrated inFIG. 16. Rather, for clarity, only those steps reasonably relevant to describing the security-enhanced computing interaction aspects of flow1600are shown and described. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the present embodiment is merely one exemplary embodiment and that variations on the present embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the broader inventive concept set forth in the clauses and claims below.

Operation1610describes readying an environment, such as by retrieving, accessing, or otherwise obtaining a translator218or local language specification230(e.g., pertaining to an instantiation of one or more environments292,392,1592described herein) or allocating computing digital resources for its use.

Operation1620begins an iterative protocol performed upon each instruction or other item segment (e.g., during an instruction series translation).

Operation1630performs a translation upon that segment from an upstream language into a current local language. As used herein a “local” feature may pertain to an interstitial or environment, irrespective of physical geography.

Operation1640signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed upon each item segment.

Operation1650begins an iterative protocol pertaining to each local rule (e.g., for multiple validation or security rules237,337imposed by the local environment292,392,1592).

Operation1660applies the rule of the current iteration.

Operation1680signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed upon each local rule.

Operation1699signals a completion of the operational flow1600, such as by returning a result to a flow1300,1400that invoked flow1600.

FIG. 17depicts a particular scenario and progressive data flow1700in which client devices1100of respective human clients10A-B interact with one or more servers1200to facilitate creation or restoration of protected computing environments described herein. After an authentication1722A in which client10A and cloud server1200A each provide a keyword or other identifying information, one or more parameters1724A are downloaded to initiate a session1726A during which one or more client devices1100of that client10A have access to a unique environment derived from and accessible only with a combination of such identifying information from both sides.

Likewise, after an authentication1722B in which a non-human hub20and cloud server1200A each provide a keyword or other identifying information, one or more parameters1724B are downloaded to initiate a session1726B during which the hub has access to a unique environment derived from and accessible only with a combination of such identifying information from both the hub20and the server1200A. Likewise after an authentication1722C in which one or more other human clients10B and cloud server1200A each provide a keyword or other identifying information, one or more parameters1724C are downloaded to initiate a session1726C during which one or more respective client devices1100of those clients10B have access to a unique environment derived from and accessible only with a combination of such identifying information from both/all sides.

In this way, cloud server1200A may facilitate respective secure environments such that sharing digital resources among clients occurs only in one-off environments1592of which other entities are expected to have no access. As such a time-limited additional authentication1722D may be imposed by the server1200A on an unscheduled basis or in response to alien watermarks1022, unexpected hidden characters1024, behavioral deviations from that of a prior code version221-223, or other such unforeseen phenomena being detected (e.g., by one or more risk-indicative-pattern recognition modules1037) in such one-off environments1592. Such measures can be even for instruction series originally created in an open programming language125not conventionally susceptible of migratory translations178,1578as described herein.

In some variants, for example, several terms233,333in an interstitial or language specification230,330are each configured to have several terms233,333to have several characters in common with a corresponding legacy-language term133so that the local language specification230,330is not a legacy language expression but is human-readable as well as device-executable. Even arcane local language specifications can be satisfied by providing custom code275in the local environment that allows an instruction series to be modified and thereby temporarily violate the local language specification330A during modifications by an authenticated human client10B. Once the hapless-but-privileged human client10B finishes an attempted code modification, the custom code275can decide whether to restore one or more suitable watermarks1022in the locally modified instruction series. This can occur in a context, for example, in which effective human participation in an upgrade would otherwise require falling back to outdated or otherwise untrustworthy heritage-language scripts181-183.

FIG. 17depicts an operational flow1700in which one or more improved technologies may be incorporated to use and access one or more cloud-based repositories113A-D for protecting software functionality cost-effectively in containerized computing environments191,291,391,491,991with a vulnerability119,219to unnoticed attacks or other degradation over time. In a scenario as shown, for example, one or more client devices1100A provide one or more operating parameters1725to an open-source builder1713A (e.g. based on Linux), including one or more indications of conditions under which a local copy or extraction of an upstream repository83A may download data1727according to one or more requests1726. Such parameters1725may indicate a time period599within an order of magnitude of an hour or a day, for example, controlling periodic updates to receive data1727for periodic uploads1734to a local repository83D, triggering a response1736that includes an inventory1736thereof including timestamps579and other indicia of versioning as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, such synchronization may likewise include a periodic or other occasional implementation1730of a local build578A.

If every designated package909is built successfully, a monolithic environment992A may result for client1770so that no unresolved dependencies907to the upstream environment991need to be preserved and so that one or more language specifications130thereof need not be implemented in the destination environment992A. Otherwise some functionality will either fail to migrate or be delivered in an unimproved form (e.g. as an instance of instruction series983B that is identical to a corresponding instruction series983A) so as to create a hybrid destination environment992B. Until every designated package909is built, such as by setting crawlers971or other bots972to acquire missing digital resources, one or more dependencies907(e.g. upon the upstream environment language specification130or other build environment artifacts910B) will remain when one or more functions117,217(e.g. of instruction series983) are invoked. System900illustrates that although a hybrid environment992B (i.e. one that enables one or more instances of translated packages909B alongside one or more one or more instances of untranslated packages909B) is not ideal in some respects, it does allow a client1770A to remove one or more repositories113D that would otherwise need to be maintained for access to one or more functions217resident in one or more unimproved instruction series983B. Also a hash function or other result1738of the implementation1730is recorded in a (blockchain or other) write-only repository83C and a report of the implementation1730or a signature1746confirming such recordation (or both) is returned to the client device1100A as shown.

After a delay1759of months or years, client device1100A provides one or more operating parameters1775to the builder1713A, including one or more indications of conditions under which a local copy or extraction of an upstream repository83A may download data1777according to one or more requests1776. Such parameters1775may indicate complaints, errors, or other events that signify one or more functions117,217that no longer seem to work as they once did. Upon a validation1780of the returned data1780(e.g. using a public key595to confirm a signature thereof), a rebuild1778at another facility1778is initiated at (a destination environment operated by) another client1770B, and a confirmation1789to this effect is returned to the client device1100A as shown.

FIG. 18schematically illustrates one or more memories or other data-handling media1800comprising one or more instances of complaints1881, of exceptions or other errors1882, of imbalances1883, of degradations1884, or of other digitally expressed indications1885of an apparent loss of one or more functions117,217. In some variants as described herein, one or more such events1890may trigger one or more instances1894of artifact retrievals1891, of restorations1892, or of installations1893as further described below.

FIG. 19illustrates an operational flow1900suitable for use with at least one embodiment, such as may be performed on a client device1100, a server1200, or a human operator invoking circuitry1028that performs these operations (or some combination thereof) using special-purpose circuitry thereof. As will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, not all events of information management are illustrated inFIG. 19. Rather, for clarity, only those steps reasonably relevant to describing the security-enhanced computing interaction aspects of flow1900are shown and described. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the present embodiment is merely one exemplary embodiment and that variations on the present embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the broader inventive concept set forth in the clauses and claims below. In some contexts, for example, some or all of flow1900may be performed automatically by one or more processors1102,1202on an ongoing basis.

Operation1920begins an iterative protocol (e.g. performed upon each function117,217corresponding to an obtained package909).

Operation1925designates some artifacts910where a package909is found that identifies them.

Operation1930signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed upon each identified function.

Operation1940begins an iterative protocol pertaining to each designated artifact.

Operation1945signals a (retrieval1891and) recordation, either for immediate implementation or batch process.

Operation1950signals a repetition or conclusion of the iterative protocol performed upon each designated artifact.

Operation1955signals a branch determination of whether one or more additional packages909need processing, returning control to operation1910if so. Otherwise control passes to operation1965. In light of teachings herein. a client1770, technician, or other user may choose one or more criteria (e.g. thresholds598) appropriate for operation1955without any undue experimentation.

Operation1965signals a branch determination of whether a new version exists for any of the designated items, passing control to operation1970if so. Otherwise control passes directly to operation1980.

Operation1980signals an implementation (e.g. by performing a compilation, validation, or other such components of a build578as described herein).

Operation1985signals a branch determination of whether one or more exceptions or other events1890need processing, returning control to operation1980if not. Otherwise control passes to operation1992. In light of teachings herein. a client1770, technician, or other user may choose one or more criteria (e.g. thresholds598) appropriate for operation1985without any undue experimentation.

Operation1980signals a restoration1892of some or all functions117,217to which the one or more exceptions or other events1890pertain, such as by response protocols described herein.

Operation1999signals a completion of the operational flow1900, such as by returning a result to a human or other entity that invoked flow1900.

Referring again to the figures above, there are shown several operational flows1300,1400,1600,1900configured to coordinate or otherwise cause a migration of software110in one or more installations1893or builds578(or both) of a destination environment992. In some variants one or more instances of parsing modules are invoked so as to extract or otherwise obtain a first version identifier (e.g. alphanumeric version number or version-indicative timestamp597) associated with a first version121-123of one or more instruction series183-184of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117to be protected. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a first artifact910A of a first computing environment192supports the one or more functions117but a second artifact910does not support the one or more functions117and in which a voltage configuration1051on an electrical node set1041thereof manifests such version identification.

One or more interface modules may be invoked so as to signal or otherwise facilitate a first upload1734or other recordation1945of the first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292that supports the one or more functions117. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a voltage configuration1055on an electrical node set1045thereof manifests such artifact(s)910.

One or more (instances of) configuration modules1033are invoked so as to signal or otherwise facilitate a modification of the one or more instruction series181-185that alters a particular identifier568that refers to the first artifact910A so that the first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292does not support a translation278or other second version221-223of the one or more instruction series181-185. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a voltage configuration1053on an electrical node set1043thereof manifests an address or other reference to a proactively created instance of the first artifact910A.

One or more processing modules1037may be invoked so as to translate the first version121-123of the one or more instruction series183-184of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement the one or more functions117in a first device-executable language125defined by a first language specification130into the second version221-223thereof. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a voltage configuration1057on an electrical node set1047thereof manifests a language specification230of a destination environment.

One or more (instances of) parsing modules1032are invoked so as to obtain a second version identifier (e.g. a “beta” status574or other alphanumeric designation) associated with the second version221-223of the one or more instruction series181-185. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a voltage configuration1052on an electrical node set1042thereof manifests such version identification.

In some variants one or more other configuration modules1033may be invoked so as to trigger, enable, authorize, or otherwise allow the translated second version of the one or more instruction series to execute in the destination environment. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a parser214of the destination environment applies the second language specification230in lieu of the first language specification130and in which a parser114of one or more upstream computing environments191applies the first language specification130in lieu of the second language specification230and in which a voltage configuration1054on an electrical node set1044thereof manifests a private key596by which such activity is authorized.

Referring again to the figures above, there are shown several variant systems300,400,700,900and contexts in which one or more functions117,217are preserved or re-deployed notwithstanding their prior dependencies907upon externally controlled digital resources653-655,753-755natively available on the Internet or other networks1050. In some contexts one or more parsing modules1031may be configured to receive or generate an alphanumeric version number or date-indicative timestamp597as a version identifier like those ofFIG. 5. Such identifiers may formally or otherwise identify one or more operating systems577or other instruction series as “primary” digital resources651,751having an “early” version123that invokes one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753having an “early” version123and thereby creates a dependency907by which a partial or total obsolescence may be created (e.g. in a later state2027,2028).

In some variants a recognition module1034and aggregation module1226may be configured jointly to detect one or more software updates or other indicia of new revision and to take appropriate action long before digital resources become obsolete. For example such circuitry may be configured to make replicated or other recordations1945in one or more repositories83,683of respective resource versions123,223before and after each apparent revision, and to annotate such recordations with one or more timestamps597that signal when the (apparent) revision occurred irrespective of whether any substantive particulars about the resource change are available. With daily or weekly hash function comparisons or other suitably probative event detection, even surreptitious software versioning can be detected soon enough to allow for a meaningful rollback protocol as described herein.

In some variants an interface module1035may be configured to cause a first recordation1945of various digital resources on a sufficiently selective basis to preserve most or all recently-used resources651,653-655,751,753-755(e.g. implementing a suitable recency threshold598on the order of days or weeks prior) in a target environment191-192,692,992,1592with a frequency on the order of a few hours or a few days even while excluding a majority of digital resources652(e.g. as measured in aggregate resource count or aggregate resource size).

In some variants a parsing module1032may be configured to identify a second version223of (at least one of) the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753to supersede a first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753whereby (at least some of) the a version123of (at least one of) the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753becomes (at least partly) obsolete in the first environment191-192,692,992,1592. Alternatively or additionally, one or more one or more component configuration modules1033thereof may be configured to cause a modification of one or more instruction series183-184of the one or more primary digital resources651so as to alter a particular identifier568thereof that refers to a first artifact910A of the one or more secondary digital resources653,753so that the first artifact910A does not support a (translation278of or other) second version223of the one or more instruction series183-184thereafter.

In some variants another instance of an interface module1035is configured to signal a selective recordation1945of a first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292that supports the one or more functions117,217as the first recordation. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the first artifact910A includes the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753.

In some variants another instance of an interface module1036may be configured to retrieve a (translation or copy or other instance of) the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to support (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651with the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753in lieu the second version223of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753. In some variants a builder613D may implement a second environment692D as an automatic and conditional response1895to a functional (breakdown or other apparent) degradation1884of (at least one of) a primary digital resource651. In some variants such an environment692D may implement a safer version of a client-requested outdated environment, for example, partly based upon a user-selected date and partly based on an array of date-indicative and version-indicative timestamps597so as to exclude any remnant of resources that are “too new” (e.g. relative to a time period599that implements the user-selected date).

In some variants another instance of a processing modules1037may be configured to translate or otherwise migrate a first version123of one or more instruction series184of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117,217in a first device-executable language125defined by a first language specification130into a second version223of the one or more instruction series184of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement the one or more functions117,217in a second device-executable language225defined by a second language specification230. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the second version223of the one or more instruction series184is noncompliant with the first language specification130as applied by a first parser114and in which the first version123of the one or more instruction series184is noncompliant with the second language specification230as applied by a second parser214.

Although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

While various system, method, article of manufacture, or other embodiments or aspects have been disclosed above, also, other combinations of embodiments or aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above disclosure. The various embodiments and aspects disclosed above are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the final claim set that follows.

In the numbered clauses below, first combinations of aspects and embodiments are articulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respective embodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other such identifiers appear to be introduced (e.g., with “a” or “an,”) more than once in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identify the same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called “dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respective embodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they refer or other features described above.

CLAUSES

1. (Independent) A computing method (e.g., comprising one or more data flows1700or operational flows1600,1900described above) for protecting one or more functions117,217in a first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592, comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more parsing modules1031receiving or generating an alphanumeric version number or date-indicative timestamp597as a version identifier like those ofFIG. 5) configured to identify one or more (operating systems577, application instruction series184,984or other) primary digital resources651(e.g. packages containing functions117,217implemented in device-executable code975) and a first version123of one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753(e.g. wherein such a dependency907may include one or more native or replicated artifacts910that such functions117,217can invoke) upon which the one or more primary digital resources651are dependent in the first environment191-192,692,992,1592; and

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1035) configured to cause a first recordation1945of the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753that is selective insofar that one or more other digital resources652of the first environment191-192,692,992,1592are excluded from the first recordation1945.

2. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more parsing modules1032) configured to identify a second version223of (at least one of) the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753to supersede the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753.

3. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1036) configured to retrieve a (translation or copy or other instance of) the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to support (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651with the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to supersede the second version223of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753.

4. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more instances of interface modules1036) configured to retrieve a (translation or copy or other instance of) the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to support (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651with the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753in lieu of the second version223of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753.

5. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1036) configured to retrieve a (translation or copy or other instance of) the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to support (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651with the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753in a second environment692,992,1592.

6. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

after a functional degradation1884of (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651, invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1036) configured to retrieve a (translation or copy or other instance of) the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to support (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651with the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753.

7. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

in response to a functional degradation1884of (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651, invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1036) configured to retrieve a (translation or copy or other instance of) the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753so as to support (at least one of) the one or more primary digital resources651with the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753.

8. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1035) configured to cause a first recordation1945of digital resources selectively enough to preserve more than half of all recently-used resources651,653-655,751,753-755in the first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592with a frequency within an order of magnitude of 1 hour even while excluding a majority of digital resources652by aggregate resource count.

9. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more instances of interface modules1035) configured to cause a first recordation1945of digital resources selectively enough to preserve more than half of all recently-used resources651,653-655,751,753-755in the first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592with a frequency within an order of magnitude of 1 hour even while excluding a majority of digital resources652by aggregate resource size.

10. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1035) configured to cause a first recordation1945of digital resources selectively enough to preserve more than half of all recently-used resources651,653-655,751,753-755in the first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592with a frequency within an order of magnitude of 1 day even while excluding a majority of digital resources652by aggregate resource count.

11. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to cause a first recordation1945of digital resources selectively enough to preserve more than half of all recently-used resources651,653-655,751,753-755in the first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592with a frequency within an order of magnitude of 1 day even while excluding a majority of digital resources652by aggregate resource size.

12. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

facilitating a selective recordation1945of an artifact910A of the first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592that supports the one or more functions117,217by

13. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a modification comprises defining a modification.

14. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

facilitating a modification comprises suggesting or otherwise signaling a modification.

15. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

facilitating a modification comprises enabling a modification.

16. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

facilitating a modification comprises triggering a modification.

17. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

translating the first version123of the one or more instruction series183-185into a second version223of the one or more instruction series183-185.

18. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a modification comprises causing a modification.

19. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a modification comprises implementing a translation278that implements a modification.

20. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a modification comprises obtaining a software patch920that implements a modification.

21. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a modification comprises implementing a rebuild1778that implements a modification.

22. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. a variant of interface module1035) configured to signal or otherwise facilitate a first upload1734or other recordation1945of a first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292that supports the one or more functions117,217.

23. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. an instance of interface module1035) configured to signal or otherwise facilitate a first upload1734or other recordation1945of a first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292that supports the one or more functions117,217; and

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. an instance of configuration module1033) configured to facilitate a modification of the one or more instruction series183-185that alters a particular identifier568that refers to the first artifact910A so that the first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292does not support a (translation278or other) second version223of the one or more instruction series183-185.

24. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. an instance of interface module1035) configured to signal or otherwise facilitate a first upload1734or other recordation1945of a first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292that supports the one or more functions117,217;

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more configuration modules1033) configured to facilitate a modification of the one or more instruction series183-185that alters a particular identifier568that refers to the first artifact910A so that the first artifact910A of the first computing environment192,292does not support a (translation278or other) second version223of the one or more instruction series183-185; and

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. an instance of parsing module1032) configured to obtain a second version identifier associated with the second version223of the one or more instruction series181-185.

25. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the invoking the transistor-based circuitry configured to cause the selective first recordation1945of the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753comprises:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to cause a write-only first (upload1734or other) recordation1945of the first version123of the one or more instruction series183-184of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement the one or more functions117,217in the first device-executable language125,225defined by the first language specification130,230(e.g. into one or more write-only repositories).

26. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein a modification of one or more instruction series183-185thereof (exists and) comprises a spawn or other rebuild1778.

27. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein a modification of the one or more instruction series182-184(exists and) comprises a translation278.

28. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more processing modules1037) configured to translate a first version123of one or more instruction series184of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117,217in a first device-executable language125defined by a first language specification130into a second version223of the one or more instruction series of the one or more primary digital resources651that implement the one or more functions117,217in a second device-executable language225defined by a second language specification230, wherein the second version223of the one or more instruction series is noncompliant with the first language specification130as applied by a first parser114and wherein the first version123of the one or more instruction series is noncompliant with the second language specification230as applied by a second parser214.

29. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein numerous other digital resources652of the first environment191-192,692,992,1592are excluded from the first recordation1945and wherein the numerous other digital resources652include the one or more other digital resources652.

30. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a version-indicative timestamp597.

31. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a date-indicative and version-indicative timestamp597.

32. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a builder version identifier513.

33. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a parser version identifier514.

34. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by an interpreter version identifier515.

35. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a (just-in-time or other) compiler version identifier516.

36. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a function version identifier517.

37. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a (scrambler or other) translator version identifier518.

38. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a semantic version identifier519.

39. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a service version identifier520.

40. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a digital resource content identifier521-523.

41. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a language version identifier525.

42. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by an internal version identifier563.

43. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a release version identifier924.

44. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein the first version is identified by a first (instance of a) date-indicative timestamp597and wherein a second version is identified by a subsequent second date-indicative timestamp597.

45. The computing method of any of the above Clauses performed so as to include most or all operations of flow1300ofFIG. 13.

46. The computing method of any of the above Clauses performed so as to include most or all operations of flow1400ofFIG. 14.

47. The computing method of any of the above Clauses performed so as to include most or all operations of flow1600ofFIG. 16.

48. The computing method of any of the above Clauses performed so as to include most or all components of data flow1700ofFIG. 17.

49. The computing method of any of the above Clauses performed so as to include most or all operations of flow1900ofFIG. 19.

50. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking one or more modules1031-1038of transistor-based circuitry1028that enable a modification of one or more instruction series183-185.

51. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

altering a memory address968as a component of a particular identifier568.

52. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

altering a universal record locator567as a component of a particular identifier568.

53. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

altering a pointer as a component of a particular identifier568.

54. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

altering an index file529as a component of a particular identifier568.

55. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to signal or otherwise facilitate a restoration1892of a first version123of one or more instruction series183-184of one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117,217.

56. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a restoration1892of a first version123of one or more instruction series183-184of one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117,217wherein a restoration1892includes a retrieval1891of a first artifact910A and an installation1893of a replacement instance1894of a first artifact910in a first computing environment192,292.

57. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to (signal or otherwise) facilitate a restoration1892of a first version123of one or more instruction series183-184of one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117,217as an automatic and conditional response1895to a detected event1890.

58. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

invoking transistor-based circuitry configured to facilitate a restoration1892of a first version123of one or more instruction series183-184of one or more primary digital resources651that implement one or more functions117,217wherein a restoration1892includes a retrieval1891of a first artifact910A and an installation1893of (a replacement instance1894or supplemental instance1894of) a first artifact910in a first computing environment192,292into another computing environment992A-B.

59. The computing method of any of the above Clauses comprising:

obtaining an implementation1730of one or more functions117,217as one or more instruction series183-185expressed in a first device-executable language125,225defined by a first language specification130,230in a first computing environment192,292.

60. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein a modification of one or more instruction series183-185comprises a spawn or other rebuild1778.

61. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein a first version identifier comprises a version-indicative timestamp597.

62. The computing method of any of the above Clauses wherein a first version identifier comprises a first (instance of a) date-indicative timestamp597and wherein a second version identifier comprises a subsequent second date-indicative timestamp597.

63. (Independent) A computing system300,400,600,700,800,900,1000for protecting one or more functions117,217in a first computing environment191-192,692,992,1592, the system comprising:

transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more parsing modules1031receiving or generating an alphanumeric version number or date-indicative timestamp597as a version identifier like those ofFIG. 5) configured to identify one or more (operating systems577, application instruction series184,984or other) primary digital resources651(e.g. packages containing functions117,217implemented in device-executable code975) and a first version123of one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753(e.g. wherein such a dependency907may include one or more native or replicated artifacts910that such functions117,217can invoke) upon which the one or more primary digital resources651are dependent in the first environment191-192,692,992,1592; and

transistor-based circuitry (e.g. one or more interface modules1035) configured to cause a first recordation1945of the first version123of the one or more corresponding secondary digital resources653,753that is selective insofar that one or more other digital resources652of the first environment191-192,692,992,1592are excluded from the first recordation1945.

With respect to the numbered claims expressed below, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other such transitive, relational, or other connections do not generally exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.