Patent · US Expired

Efficient virtual function calls for compiled/interpreted environments

US7032230B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
9References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 2001
Grant dateApr 18, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 3, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/449
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Virtual function calls in hybrid compiled and interpreted computer programming environments are carried out efficiently by dual virtual function tables. Each class object generated is provided with a compiled virtual function table and an interpreted virtual function table. Each table is symmetrically structured and contiguous with the class object. Calls from an interpreted function access the interpreted virtual function table. Entries in that table point to function data structures which provide for the interpretation of the called function, or for transfer to execution of a compiled version of the called function. Calls from a compiled function access the compiled virtual function table. Entries in the compiled virtual function table point to either executable code representing the called function, or to transition code for transition to the interpreter to interpret the called function.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.