EP0619544A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Object system with derived metaclasses
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1994-03-17
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for deriving metaclasses of classes of objects defined according to traditional subclassing inheritance is disclosed, which uses a neutral set of information from which object support is enabled for any target language, including support between languages. The information defining a new class is parsed and compiled to generate a bindings file that is input along with method information to the target language compiler to create an object file. The object file is thereafter link edited to create an executable program. When this program is executed, each defined class of objects is implemented by a corresponding object, called a class object, whose parents are determined by its definition, and whose class is a metaclass that is automatically derived and created at runtime according to the parent classes of the class object.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Harrison Danforth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488; G06F9/4492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for deriving a metaclass for a new class defined by subclassing at least one parent class, comprising the steps of: executing a set of instructions to construct for the new class stored in a memory; deriving a new class metaclass for the new class given both a parent class metaclass for the at least one parent class and a second metaclass; and, creating the new class in the memory according to the new class metaclass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the new class metaclass is derived from a plurality of parent class metaclasses, and the second metaclass is a second parent class metaclass for a second parent class from which the new class is subclassed.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second metaclass is a defined metaclass for the new class.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the defined metaclass is an implicit metaclass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the defined metaclass is an explicit metaclass.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
59 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the deriving step further comprises the steps of: determining a list of parent class metaclasses from a plurality of parent classes; filtering (1630) the list of parent class metaclasses to create a list of covering metaclasses; and deriving (1660) the new class metaclass by subclassing the list of covering metaclasses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 which further comprises the step of appending an additional defined metaclass to the list of parent class metaclasses.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for deriving a metaclass for a new class derived by subclassing at least one parent class comprising: means for executing an object module for the new class stored in a memory; means for deriving a metaclass for the new class given on both a parent class metaclass for the at least one parent class and a second metaclass; and means for creating the new class in memory according to the new class metaclass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the new class metaclass is derived from a plurality of parent class metaclasses, and the second metaclass is a second parent class metaclass for a second parent class from which the new class is subclassed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second metaclass is a defined metaclass for the new class.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the defined metaclass is an implicit metaclass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the defined metaclass is an explicit metaclass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the deriving means further comprises: means for determining a list of parent class metaclasses from a plurality of parent classes; means for filtering the list of parent class metaclasses to create a list of covering metaclasses; and means for deriving the new class metaclass by subclassing the list of covering metaclasses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 13 which further comprises the step of appending an additional defined metaclass to the list of parent class metaclasses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.