Method and apparatus for extending a program element in a dynamically typed programming language
US6925640B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/449
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for extending a program element in a dynamically typed programming language. In one embodiment, a program element is extended without altering the source code defining the program element. An extend structure is used to extend a program element in a particular program. In one embodiment, the program element is a function. The function is extended by adding code to be executed by the function. In another embodiment, the program element is an enumeration. The enumeration is extend by adding additional constants to the enumeration. In another embodiment, the program element is a class. In one embodiment, a class is extended by adding code to the constructor of the class. In another embodiment, a class is extended by adding member variables to the class. In yet another embodiment, a class is extended by adding member functions to the class.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.