Compiler merging new and preexisting modules while preserving function order

Claim 3

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the interleaving means further comprises: means for parsing the modified original and derivative output files to create a list of function names which appear in both output files, the function names in the list including and ordered according to an order in which function names occur in a first one of the modified original and derivative output files; means for transferring code segments from the modified original and derivative output files according to the method: sequentially comparing function names in an order in which the function names occur in a second one of the modified and unmodified output files to the list; for each function name in the second one of the modified original and derivative output files, storing in the merged output file a corresponding code segment from the second one of the first and second output files; for each function name in both the second one of the modified original and derivative output files and the list, storing in the merged output file portions of corresponding code segments unique to the modified first and second output files; for each function name unique to the list, storing in the merged output file a corresponding code segment from the first one of the modified original and derivative output files.

Claim 4

The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the interleaving means further comprises: means for marking code segments from the modified original and derivative output files in the merged output file to identify from which output file a given code segment originated.

Claim 7

The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the interleaving step further comprises the steps of: parsing the modified original and derivative output files to create a list of function names which appear in both the modified output files, the function names in the list including and ordered according to an order in which function names occur in a first one of the modified oriqinal and derivative, output files; transferring code segments from the modified original and derivative output files according to the method: sequentially comparing function names in an order in which the function names occur in a second one of the modified original and derivative output files to the list; for each function name in the second one of the modified original and derivative output files, storing in the merged output file a corresponding code segment from the second one of the modified first and second output files; for each function name in both the second one of the modified original and derivative output files and the list, storing in the merged output file portions of corresponding code segments unique to the modified first and second output files; for each function name unique to the list, storing in the merged output file a corresponding code segment from the first one of the modified original and derivative output files.

Claim 8

The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the interleaving step further comprises the step of marking code segments from the modified original and derivative output files in the merged output file-to identify from which output file a given code segment originated.

Claim 13

The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of: changing a set of characters indicating comments from a selected one of the newly and previously translated files; and storing comments from the newly and previously translated files in the new file including the changed set of characters.

Claim 14

The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of for each function name automatically inserting a comment that a code segment has been altered if corresponding code segment are found in both the newly and previously translated files.

Claim 15

The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the newly and previously translated files are method implementations for a class object and the portions unique to the previously translated file are programmer added application specific code and the portions unique to the newly translated file are additional method implementations for the class object.

Claim 16

The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of changing the corresponding code segment in the previously translated file into a comment format if the corresponding code segments are found in both the newly and previously translated files.

Claim 17

A computer system for compiling an updated file in a first programming language into a new file in a second programming language wherein two translated files in the second programming language are merged, a newly translated file resulting from translation of the updated file and a previously translated file resulting from translation of a prior version of the updated file, the previously translated file modified in its translated form in response to user input, the method practiced in a memory of a computer system, comprising the steps of: means for translating the updated file to create the newly translated file; means for searching newly and previously translated files to create a list of function names ordered as the function names occur in the newly translated file marking common function names which occur in both the newly and previously translated files; means for sequentially comparing function names in an order in which the function names occur in the previously translated file to an order in which the function names occur in the list; for each function name in the previously translated file, means for storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the previously translated file; for each module name in both the previously translated file and list, means for storing in the new file corresponding code segments unique to the newly and previously translated files; for each function name unique to the list, means for storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the newly translated file.

Claim 18

A computer system for compiling an updated file in a first programming language into a new file in a second programming language wherein two translated files in the second programming language are merged, a newly translated file resulting from translation of the updated file and a previously translated file resulting from translation of a prior version of the updated file, the previously translated file modified in its translated form in response to user input, the method practiced in a memory of a computer system, comprising the steps of: means for translating the updated file to create the newly translated file; means for searching newly and previously translated files to create a list of function names ordered as the function names occur in the newly translated file marking common function names which occur in both the newly and previously translated files; means for sequentially comparing function names in an order in which the function names occur in the previously translated file to an order in which the function names occur in the list; for each function name in the previously translated file, means for storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the previously translated file; for each module name in both the previously translated file and list, means for storing in the new file corresponding code segments unique to the newly and previously translated files; for each function name unique to the list, means for storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the newly translated file.

Claim 19

A computer memory readable by a processor and tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method the method for compiling an updated file in a first programming language into a new file in a second programming language the method including a merge of two translated files in the second programming language, a newly translated file resulting from translation of the updated file with a previously translated file resulting from translation of a prior version of the updated file, the previously translated file modified in its translated form in response to user input, the method comprising the steps of: sequentially comparing function names as the function names occur in the newly and previously translated files; for each function name as ordered in the previously translated file, storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the previously translated file; for each function name as ordered in the previously translated file also present in the newly translated file, storing in the new file portions of corresponding code segments unique to the newly and previously translated files; for each function mane unique to the newly translated file, storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the newly translated file.

Claim 20

A computer memory readable by a processor and tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method the method for compiling an updated file in a first programming language into a new file in a second programming language the method including a merge of two translated files in the second programming language, a newly translated file resulting from translation of the updated file with a previously translated file resulting from translation of a prior version of the updated file, the previously translated file modified in its translated form in response to user input, the method comprising the steps of: sequentially comparing function names as the function names occur in the newly and previously translated files; for each function name as ordered in the previously translated file, storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the previously translated file; for each function name as ordered in the previously translated file also present in the newly translated file, storing in the new file portions of corresponding code segments unique to the newly and previously translated files; for each function mane unique to the newly translated file, storing in the new file a corresponding code segment from the newly translated file.