EP0546794A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Object oriented data processing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1992-12-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A method, system and program for isolating the executable binary form of computer applications that use object definition libraries from changes in the implementation or specification of object definitions in the library. These objects include adding new methods to art object definition; moving the point of definition for one of the class methods to the class parent class; changing private instance data associated with an object definition; inserting a new parent class definition between the class and its parent class when it has one; and changing the implementation of one of the class methods without changing the methods interface. The objects are achieved by removing offset and size values from the application binary image and putting them in data structures that are initialised at runtime.
Inventors
- 👤 Mike Haden Conner
- 👤 Andrew Richard Martin
- 👤 Larry Keith Raper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488; G06F9/4492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An object-orientated data processing system having means for storing a method procedure table (240) and a state data structure for each application object, in which an offset value (320) is used to select the method procedure for each method name from the method procedure table (240), characterised by means for storing a class data structure (Fig 3) for each object class and logic for storing the offset values (320) corresponding to the procedures defined by the class in the class data structure (Fig 3) when a corresponding class object is initialised, the offset values (320) being recalculated based on the current definitions of the classes used by the application each time the application is executed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An object-orientated data processing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein an application which accesses a public instance variable contained in the state data structure associated with an application object must employ an offset value (310) into the state data structure of the object and comprising logic for storing the offset value (310) for each public data variable in the class data structure (Fig 3) when a corresponding class object is initialised, the offset values (310) being recalculated based on the current definitions of the classes used by the application each time the application is executed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A data processing apparatus for generating version independent object orientated applications which employ one or more externally accessible features of object definitions, comprising: (a) means for compiling an object orientated application and storing a class data structure; (b) means for externalising the class data structure; and (c) means for executing the object oriented application and inserting one or more a offsets in the class data structure for the one or more externally accessible features of object definitions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the externally accessible features are methods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3, including means for extending the class data structure for new externally accessible features without reordering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the externally accessible features are instances.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3, including means for addressing particular variables in an object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3, including means for determining the size of an object at runtime.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of operating data processing apparatus to generate version independent object oriented applications which employ one or more externally accessible features of object definitions, comprising the step of: (a) compiling an object oriented application and storing a class data structure; (b) externalising the class data structure; and (c) executing the object oriented application and inserting one or more a offsets in the class data structure for the one or more externally accessible features of object definitions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the externally accessible features are methods.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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