Loader conditionally replacing a code sequence with a functionally-alike code sequence in an executable program intended for execution in different run-time environments
US6115550A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/44547
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A compiler-loader system enables the creation of different loaded executable images in target computers complying with different versions of an instruction-set architecture, the different images being created from a single executable program on secondary storage. The compiler generates an executable program containing a routine executable on both versions of the target computers, and also containing an architecture entry with (i) an address of the program location from which the routine is called, (ii) an instruction executable on only one version of the target computers that performs the same function as the routine but with superior performance, and (iii) a value indicating which version of the target machines the instruction can be executed on. The loader determines whether the target machine can execute the instruction, and if so replaces the subroutine call appearing at the address in the architecture entry with the instruction appearing in the architecture entry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.