Virtual Typing Executables

A method for deploying modifications to a computer program, the method comprising:

• receiving an identification of an error in a computer program having a virtual type while the computer program is executed by a processor unit;
• responsive to receiving the identification of the error, identifying a modification for the computer program to fix the error;
• and
• sending an instruction string to the computer program, wherein the instruction string comprises a command line switch and instructions, wherein the instructions comprise a new value, and wherein the computer program replaces a value for the virtual type with the new value for the virtual type while the computer program is executed by the processor unit.

An apparatus comprising:

• a computer program having a virtual type;
• a header file comprising a value associated with the virtual type;
• and
• a number of storage devices, wherein the computer program and the header file are located on the number of storage devices, wherein the computer program is in a form that is capable of being executed by a processor unit and is capable of receiving an instruction string comprising a command line switch and instructions comprising a new value for the virtual type, and replacing a current value with the new value to modify the computer program while the computer program is executing.

A computer program product for modifying a computer program, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer recordable storage medium;
• program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for receiving a new value to replace a value associated with a virtual type in the computer program during execution of the computer program by a processor unit;
• and
• program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for replacing the value with the new value, wherein the new value modifies the computer program, and wherein the computer program is modified while the computer program is executed by the processor unit.

A data processing system for modifying a computer program, the data processing system comprising:

• a bus system;
• a communications system coupled to the bus system;
• a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions;
• a processor unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processor unit executes the set of instructions to receive a new value to replace a value associated with a virtual type in the computer program during execution of the computer program by the processor unit;
• and replace the value with the new value, wherein the new value modifies the computer program, and wherein the computer program is modified while the computer program is executed by the processor unit.