Apparatus for executing a plurality of program segments having different object code types in a single program or processor environment
US5452456A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4484
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a method and apparatus for switching between execution of a plurality of object code types having different conventions for invoking program procedures and performing stack manipulations. The invention may also be used to switch between different calling conventions within a single object code type. Briefly according to the invention, a computer system comprises a routine descriptor, a stack switch frame, a mode switching mechanism for switching from a first processor, code or calling convention type to a second processor, code or calling convention type and means for executing instructions in various code type codes. A routine descriptor describes a program or code segment and its code type and calling conventions. A routine descriptor contains, among other information, a "mixed mode" field which is set to a specific, predetermined value such as a value indicating an instruction which is not legal in the runtime environment of a first processor, code or calling convention type. When that instruction is encountered, control is transferred to the mode switching mechanism. A routine descriptor also contains a "procedure information" field which is set to a valu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.