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US5742828A
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Compiler and method for evaluation of foreign syntax expressions in source code
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1994-08-03
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2014-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Source code including application defined expressions and non-conforming identifiers are compiled to executable code. The source code is written with an application defined expression or non-conforming identifier enclosed between a predefined pair of matching separators, such as square brackets. When a sequence of characters between the predefined separators is encountered in the source code during compiling, a symbol table is searched for a matching identifier. If found, the characters are interpreted as a non-conforming identifier and bound to the matching identifier. If not found, the characters are interpreted as an application defined expression and bound to a function call for an evaluating function provided in an application library.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Mark Canady
- 👤 Alan Carter
- 👤 Ilan Gabriel Caron
- 👤 Mark Leslie Roberts
- 👤 David Gordon Bradlee
- 👤 Steven E. Lees
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/40; G06F8/41; G06F8/42; G06F8/425; G06F8/427; G06F8/43; G06F8/436
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for compiling source code containing one or more application defined expressions, the source code conforming to a first syntax of a high level programming language and the application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax associated with an application program, the method comprising: providing a library associated with the application program, the library defining an evaluator for evaluating expressions according to the second syntax; compiling the source code according to the first syntax into object code for executing on a computer; interpreting a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators as an application defined expression; and converting said syntax structure to coded instructions in the object code of a function call for invoking the evaluator with the character string as a parameter whereby the evaluator is invoked to evaluate the character string according to the second syntax on execution of the object code.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for compiling source code containing one or more application defined expressions, the source code conforming to a first syntax of a high level programming language and the application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax associated with an application program, the method comprising: providing a library associated with the application program, the library defining an evaluator for evaluating expressions according to the second syntax; compiling the source code according to the first syntax into object code for executing on a computer; interpreting a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators as an application defined expression; and converting said syntax structure to coded instructions in the object code of a function call for invoking the evaluator with the character string as a parameter whereby the evaluator is invoked to evaluate the character string according to the second syntax on execution of the object code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the separators designate that the character string is non-compliant to the first syntax, and further comprising: generating a symbol table comprising a plurality of entries containing names of identifiers defined in the source code; searching the symbol table for an entry containing a name of an identifier matching the character string; and if a matching name is found in the symbol table, binding the syntax structure to the identifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the library defines a plurality of application objects which have associated data and procedure members, and wherein the evaluator is a global evaluating function for evaluating expressions relating to any of the application objects.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the library defines a plurality of application objects which have associated data and procedure members, and the evaluator is an evaluating method associated with a particular one of the objects for evaluating expressions specific to the particular application object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for compiling source code containing one or more application defined expressions, the source code conforming to a first syntax of a high level programming language and the application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax associated with an application program, the method comprising: analyzing the source code to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators; searching an application library for an evaluator having a reserved, non-programmatically determined name, the evaluator containing code for evaluating application defined expressions according to the second syntax; and if the application library includes the evaluator, binding said syntax structure to a function call for invoking the evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for compiling source code containing one or more application defined expressions, the source code conforming to a first syntax of a high level programming language and the application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax associated with an application program, the method comprising: analyzing the source code to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators; searching an application library for an evaluator having a reserved, non-programmatically determined name, the evaluator containing code for evaluating application defined expressions according to the second syntax; and if the application library includes the evaluator, binding said syntax structure to a function call for invoking the evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 6 comprising: if no evaluator having said reserved name is found in the application library, late binding the structure to a function call for invoking an evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 6 comprising, when the syntax structure is unqualified: searching the application library for the evaluator, the evaluator being a global evaluating function; and if the application library defines the global evaluating function, binding the syntax structure to a function call for invoking the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 8.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the separators designate that the character string is non-compliant to the first syntax, and comprising, prior to the step of searching an application library, the additional steps of: generating a symbol table comprising a plurality of entries containing names of identifiers defined in the source code; searching the symbol table for an entry containing a name of an identifier matching the character string; and if a matching name is found in the symbol table, binding the syntax structure to the identifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recite in claim 6.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for compiling source code containing one or more application defined expressions, the source code conforming to a first syntax of a high level programming language and the application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax associated with an application program, the method comprising: analyzing the source code to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a qualifying reference, and a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators, the qualifying reference indicating a qualifying object having data and method members; searching an application library for an evaluator having a reserved name, the library defining a plurality of application objects which have associated data and procedure members, the evaluator being an evaluating method associated with the qualifying object and containing code for evaluating application defined expressions according to the second syntax; and if the application library defines the evaluating method, binding said syntax structure to a function call for invoking the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for compiling source code containing one or more application defined expressions, the source code conforming to a first syntax of a high level programming language and the application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax associated with an application program, the method comprising: analyzing the source code to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a qualifying reference, and a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators, the qualifying reference indicating a qualifying object having data and method members; searching an application library for an evaluator having a reserved name, the library defining a plurality of application objects which have associated data and procedure members, the evaluator being an evaluating method associated with the qualifying object and containing code for evaluating application defined expressions according to the second syntax; and if the application library defines the evaluating method, binding said syntax structure to a function call for invoking the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the library defines a plurality of application objects which have associated data and procedure members, and comprising, if no evaluating method associated with the qualifying object is defined in the application library: determining whether the qualifying object supports late binding; and late binding the syntax structure to a function call for invoking an evaluating method associated with the qualifying object with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 12.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, the source code comprising one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: an application library having code defining an evaluator for evaluating application defined expressions; a memory for storing the source code; a syntax analyzer operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed within a predefined pair of separators; and a code generator operative, in response to the identification of said syntax structure by the syntax analyzer, to generate executable code corresponding to said syntax structure for invoking the evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, the source code comprising one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: an application library having code defining an evaluator for evaluating application defined expressions; a memory for storing the source code; a syntax analyzer operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed within a predefined pair of separators; and a code generator operative, in response to the identification of said syntax structure by the syntax analyzer, to generate executable code corresponding to said syntax structure for invoking the evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: the application library defines a global evaluating function; the syntax analyzer being operative to determine that said syntax structure is unqualified; and the code generator being operative, in response to the determination of said syntax structure as unqualified, to generate executable code corresponding to said syntax structure for invoking the global evaluating function.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, the source code comprising one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: an application library having code defining an evaluating method associated with an application object for evaluating application defined expressions; a memory for storing the source code; a syntax analyzer being operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a qualifying identifier of the application object and a character string enclosed within a predefined pair of separators; and a code generator being operative, in response to the identification of said syntax structure by the syntax analyzer, to generate executable code corresponding to said syntax structure for invoking the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, the source code comprising one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: an application library having code defining an evaluating method associated with an application object for evaluating application defined expressions; a memory for storing the source code; a syntax analyzer being operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a qualifying identifier of the application object and a character string enclosed within a predefined pair of separators; and a code generator being operative, in response to the identification of said syntax structure by the syntax analyzer, to generate executable code corresponding to said syntax structure for invoking the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, and containing one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing an application library defining an evaluator for evaluating application defined expressions, and for storing the source code; and a processor connected to the memory for compiling the source code into a corresponding executable code, the processor being operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators, and to bind said syntax structure to the evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, and containing one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing an application library defining an evaluator for evaluating application defined expressions, and for storing the source code; and a processor connected to the memory for compiling the source code into a corresponding executable code, the processor being operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators, and to bind said syntax structure to the evaluator with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the evaluator in the application library is a global evaluating function, the processor being operative to determine that said syntax structure is unqualified, and to bind said syntax structure to the global evaluating function with the character string as a parameter responsive to the determination.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, and containing one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing the source code and an application library defining an evaluator for evaluating application defined expressions, the evaluator being an evaluating method of an application object; and a processor connected to the memory for compiling the source code into a corresponding executable code, the processor being operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators and qualified by a reference to the application object, the processor further being operative to bind said syntax structure to the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for compiling source code written in a high level programming language having a first syntax, and containing one or more application defined expressions conforming to a second syntax other than the first syntax, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing the source code and an application library defining an evaluator for evaluating application defined expressions, the evaluator being an evaluating method of an application object; and a processor connected to the memory for compiling the source code into a corresponding executable code, the processor being operative to identify a syntax structure in the source code consisting of a character string enclosed between a predefined pair of separators and qualified by a reference to the application object, the processor further being operative to bind said syntax structure to the evaluating method with the character string as a parameter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4712189A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |