Type checking in java computing environments
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorStepan Sokolov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for type checking in Java computing environments are disclosed. As will be appreciated, the techniques can be used by a Java virtual machine to efficiently perform type checking. In one embodiment, a Java class hierarchy is implemented in an internal class representation. The Java class hierarchy represents the hierarchical relationship of the parent classes for the Java class. The Java class hierarchy can be implemented, for example, as an array of class references. The array of class references can be used to efficiently perform type checking in Java computing environments. As a result, the performance of Java virtual machines, especially those operating with limited resources, can be significantly enhanced.
Claims20
In a Java computing environment, an internal class representation suitable for representation of a Java class in a Java virtual machine, said internal class representation comprising:
- a Java class hierarchy for said Java class;
- wherein said Java class hierarchy represents all the parent classes of said Java classes in a hierarchical relationship.
A method of type checking Java class types, said method comprising:
- receiving a first and a second reference, said first and second references respectively referencing a first and a second Java class;
- finding a class representation for said first Java class, said class representation including a Java class hierarchy for said first Java class;
- said Java class hierarchy including all the parents of said first Java class;
- reading said Java class hierarchy;
- and
- determining whether said second Java class is represented in said Java class hierarchy.
In a Java computing environment, a Java virtual machine, said Java virtual machine comprising:
- an internal class representation suitable for representation of a Java class in a Java virtual machine, said internal class representation including:
- a Java class hierarchy for said Java class;
- wherein said Java class hierarchy represents all the parent classes of said Java class in a hierarchical relationship.
A computer readable media including computer program code for type checking Java class types, said computer program code comprising:
- computer program code for receiving a first and a second reference, said first and second reference respectively referencing a first and a second Java class;
- computer program code for finding a class representation for said first Java class, said class representation including a Java class hierarchy for said first Java class;
- said Java class hierarchy including all the parents of said first Java class;
- computer program code for reading said Java class hierarchy;
- and
- computer program code for determining whether said second Java class is represented in said Java class hierarchy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.