System and method for enabling, without recompilation, modification of class definitions and implementations in an object-oriented computer program

Patent 5613120 Issued on March 18, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 20, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

System packaging object class defining information
Patent #: 5257371
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Inventors

Application

No. 325155 filed on 10/20/1994

US Classes:

717/165Object oriented

Examiners

Primary: Kriess, Kevin A.
Assistant: Chaki, Kakali

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

International Class

G06F 009/45

Abstract

A system and method for compiling and linking a source file is described. A compiler generates class information pertaining to object-oriented classes referenced in the source file. The class information is sufficient to enable a linker to resolve class definitions and to perform class relocation operations. The compiler also generates an object file from the source file. The object file includes the class information. The compiler generates the object file such that resolution of class definitions and performance of class relocation operations are delayed until operation of the linker. A linker links the object file potentially with at least one other object file or shared library to thereby generate an executable file or shared library. The linker uses the class information contained in the object file to resolve class definitions and to perform class relocation operations.

Other References

Palay, Andrew J., "C++ in a Changing Environment", Usenix Association: C++ Technical Conference, pp. 195-206
Goldstein, Theodore C. and Alan D. Sloane, "The Object Binary Interface--C++ Objects for Evolvable Shared Class Libraries", Sun Microsystems Laboratories, Inc., Jun. 1994, pp. 191-217
"OS/2 2.0 Technical Library: System Object Model Guide and Reference", IBM Programming Family, Dec. 199