Reconciliation of web server session states with client browser states

1. A web-server implemented method of reconciling a web-server session state with a client web-browser state, said method comprising:

responding to an n th request from a client web browser by reading an m th session-state identifier included in said request, where n−1>m≧1, where integer values m correspond to a chronological succession of web-server session states of a session;

assuming an m th session state associated with said m th session-state identifier;

deleting session states m+1 through n−1 from said server in response to said nth request;

a user navigating among pages cached by a web browser; and

said user activating a link on a page cached by said web browser so that n−1>m.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

storing an n th session state and transmitting to said client an n th page related to said n th session state and having an n th link that when activated by said client generates an n th request including an n th session-state identifier for said n th session state.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said navigating at least in part involves activating a back button of said web browser.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said session-state identifiers are serialized.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said requests involve HTTP GET and POST commands and said session reading an m th session state involves making a function call to a program object.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising detecting the use of two or more windows in a session, and tracking the session in each window.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage media comprising:

a program for reconciling a web-server session state with a client web-browser state, said program providing for:

responding to an n th request from a client browser by reading an m th session-state identifier included in said request, where n−1>m≧1, and where integer values of m correspond to chronological session states of a session, and

assuming an m th session state associated with said m th session state identifier;

wherein said program further provides for deleting session states m+1 through n−1 from said server, wherein n−1>m, in response to said n th request;

wherein said program further provides for enabling a user to navigate among pages cached by a web browser so that a user can activate a link on a page cached by said web browser.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 7 wherein said program further provides for storing an n th session state and transmitting to said client an n th page related to said n th session state and having an n th link that when activated by said client generates an n th request including an n th session-state identifier for said n th session state.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 7 wherein said navigating at least in part involves activating a back button of said web browser.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 7 wherein said requests involve HTTP request commands and said session reading an m th session state involves making a function call to a program object.

11. A server system comprising hardware and software for reconciling a web server session state with a client browser state by:

responding to an n th request by reading an m th web-server session-state identifier included in said request, where n−1>m≧1, wherein integer values of m correspond to a chronological series of session states; and

assuming an m th session state associated with said m th session state identifier;

wherein said hardware and software further provide for storing an n th web-serer session state and transmitting to said client an n th page related to said n th session state and having an n th link that when activated by said client generates an n th request including an n th session-state identifier for said n th session state;

wherein said software further includes interface means for enabling a user to navigate among pages cached by a web browser so that a user can activate a link on a page cached by said web browser so that n−1>m.

12. A server system as recited in claim 11 wherein said software further includes means for deleting session states m+1 through n−1 from said server, where n−1>m, in response to said n th request.

13. A server system as recited in claim 11 wherein said navigating at least in part involves activating a back button of said web browser.

14. A server system as recited in claim 11 wherein said requests involve HTTP requests and said session reading an m th session state involves making a function call to a program object.

15. A method of reconciling a web-server session state with a client web-browser state, said method comprising:

responding to a first HTTP request from a client web browser by opening a web session, said first HTTP request being a first request of said session;

receiving an i th HTTP request of said session having a j th session-state identifier embedded therein, i and j being counting number indices and j<i; and

determining from said j th session-state identifier that said i th HTTP request was made from a j th page provided in said session when j=(i−1) and when j<(i−1).

16. A method as recited in claim 15 further comprising responding in accordance with a result of said determining to said i th HTTP request with an i th web page having an i th identifier embedded therein so that an HTTP response thereto has said i th session-state identifier embedded therein.

17. A system comprising non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a program that, when executed, provides for:

responding to a first HTTP request from a client web browser by opening a web session, said first HTTP request being a first request of said session;

receiving an i th HTTP request of said session having a j th session-state identifier embedded therein, i and j being counting number indices and j<i; and

determining from said j th session-state identifier that said i th HTTP request was made from a j th page provided in said session when j=(i−1) and when j<(i−1).

18. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein said program further provides for responding in accordance with a result of said determining to said i th HTTP request with an i th web page having an i th identifier embedded therein so that an HTTP response thereto has said i th session-state identifier embedded therein.

19. A system as recited in claim 17 further comprising a server for executing said program, said server including said media.