Algorithms for block-level code alignment of software binary files
US7031972B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99942
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A file differencing and updating system is provided that includes a file differencing component and a file updating component. The file differencing component, or file differencing engine, generates a difference file in a first processor-based or computer system from an original or old version and a new version of an electronic file. Generation of the difference files includes processing to reduce the number of file changes introduced by code block swaps. The processing uses an alignment algorithm, which includes a sorting algorithm, to align the code blocks of the original version in the same order as those of the new version, thereby eliminating the increase in the number of byte-level file differences due to code block swaps. During the alignment operations, the block movements are dynamically recorded at a minimum cost level and encoded for transmission to the file updating component for use in code recovery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.