Program execution apparatus and method, computer program for performing the program execution method, image forming system, and address solution method

A program execution method for creating an executable program and executing the program, comprising the steps of:

• creating an address reference conversion module containing a function call to call an external function module that is called from a source program;
• transforming the source program into an object program;
• and
• linking the object program produced by the transforming step to the address reference conversion module created by the creating step to form an executable program, thereby the executable program containing the function call.

A computer program embodied therein for performing a program execution method, comprising:

• a first program code means for creating an address reference conversion module containing a function call to call an external function module that is called from a source program;
• a second program code means for transforming the source program into an object program;
• and
• a third program code means for linking the object program produced by the second program code means to the address reference conversion module created by the first program code means to form an executable program, thereby the executable program containing the function call.

A program execution apparatus for creating an executable program and executing the program, comprising:

• a first common library containing one or a plurality of first function modules called in common by a plurality of programs, and first function arrangement information indicating an absolute address of each first function module on a memory;
• and
• a conversion module creating unit creating a first address reference conversion module containing a function call to call one of the first function modules at a corresponding absolute address thereof based on the first function arrangement information,
• wherein the executable program is created by combining the first address reference conversion module, and, when the executable program is run, the corresponding absolute address of said one of the first function modules is stored into the first address reference conversion module contained in the executable program.

An address solution method for use in a program execution apparatus including a common library containing one or a plurality of function modules called in common by a plurality of programs, and function arrangement information indicating an absolute address of each function module on a memory, the address solution method comprising the steps of:

• creating an address reference conversion module containing a function call to call one of the function modules at a corresponding absolute address thereof based on the function arrangement information;
• creating the executable program by combining the address reference conversion module;
• and
• storing, when receiving a request for program execution, the corresponding absolute address of the called function module into the address reference conversion module contained in the executable program.