Non-zero null reference to speed up write barrier checking for garbage collection
US7058669B2 · kind B2 · utility
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15Claims
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Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99957
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system of increasing the speed of a write barrier check. Instead of using zero null references, in one embodiment of the invention a special object is created at a valid and globally accessible location in memory. The special object is colored black, and the valid location of the special object is used in objects linked lists, and other elements whenever a null value is required. Preferably, the special object is colored black by coloring a bit pattern in a header of the special object to represent black.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.