Flexible multi-platform partitioning for computer applications

A method of loading an application program on interconnected computers selected from at least two classes of computers, said method comprising

• selecting a first class of computers comprising a first plurality of computers, each of distinct types,
• selecting a second class of computers comprising a second plurality of computers, each of distinct types, any one of said second plurality of computers interconnectable with any one of said first plurality of computers, and
• preparing a logical application definition for an .application program, said logical application definition comprising
• a first service object,
• a second service object, and
• a third service object, such that each of said first, second and third service objects can communicate with at least one of the other said service objects,
• said first service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said first plurality of computers,
• said second service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said second plurality of computers,
• said third service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said first plurality of computers and also capable of execution on substantially any one of said second plurality of computers, but without selecting, at the time of preparing the logical application definition,
• a specific one of said first plurality of computers on which to execute said first service object,
• a specific one of said second plurality of computers on which to execute said second service object, or
• a specific one of said first plurality of computers or a specific one of said second plurality of computers on which to execute said third service object,
• then providing a plurality of heterogeneous environments in each of which said application can execute independently,
• each heterogeneous environment comprising
• a first computer for said heterogeneous environment, selected from said first plurality of computers and
• a second computer for said heterogeneous environment, selected from said second plurality of computers and interconnected with said first computer for said heterogeneous environment,
• selecting a first heterogeneous environment of said plurality of heterogeneous environments,
• loading said first service object on said first computer of said first heterogeneous environment,
• loading said second service object on said second computer of said first heterogeneous environment, and
• selectively loading said third service object on one of said first computer or said second computer of said first heterogeneous environment, and
• selecting a second heterogeneous environment of said plurality of heterogeneous environments,
• loading said first service object on said first computer of said second heterogeneous environment,
• loading said second service object on said second computer of said second heterogeneous environment, and
• selectively loading said third service object on one of said first computer or said second computer of said second heterogeneous environment, independent of the selective loading of the third service object in said first heterogeneous environment.

A method of using a computer to execute an application program on at least two interconnected computers, selected from at least two classes of computers, said method comprising

• selecting a first class of computers comprising a first plurality of computers, each of distinct types,
• selecting a second class of computers comprising a second plurality of computers, each of distinct types, any one of said second plurality of computers interconnectable with any one of said first plurality of computers, and
• preparing a logical application definition for an application program, said logical application definition comprising
• defining a first service object,
• defining a second service object, and
• defining a third service object, such that each of said first, second and third service objects can communicate with at least one of the other said service objects,
• said first service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said first plurality of computers,
• said second service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said second plurality of computers,
• said third service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said first plurality of computers and also capable of execution on substantially any one of said second plurality of computers,
• but without selecting, at the time of preparing the logical application definition,
• a specific one of said first plurality of computers on which to execute said first service object,
• a specific one of said second plurality of computers on which to execute said second service object, or
• a specific one of said first plurality of computers or a specific one of said second plurality of computers on which to execute said third service object,
• providing a heterogeneous environment in which said application can execute, said heterogeneous environment comprising a first computer selected from said first class of computers and a second computer selected from said second class of computers, said second computer interconnected with said first computer, said second computer of a different type than said first computer,
• selecting said heterogeneous environment,
• loading said first service object on said first computer,
• loading said second service object on said second computer, and
• loading said third service object on said first computer,
• then executing each of said first, second and third service objects to execute said application program.

A method of using a computer to execute an application program on at least two interconnected computers, selected from at least two classes of computers, said method comprising

• selecting a first class of computers comprising a first plurality of computers, each of distinct types,
• selecting a second class of computers comprising a second plurality of computers, each of distinct types, any one of said second plurality of computers interconnectable with any one of said first plurality of computers, and
• selecting a first service object,
• selecting a second service object, and
• selecting a third service object, where each of said first, second and third service objects can communicate with at least one of the other said service objects,
• said first service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said first plurality of computers,
• said second service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said second plurality of computers,
• said third service object capable of execution on substantially any one of said first plurality of computers and also capable of execution on substantially any one of said second plurality of computers,
• providing a heterogeneous environment comprising a first computer selected from said first class of computers and a second computer selected from said second class of computers, said second computer interconnected with said first computer, said second computer of a different type than said first computer,
• selecting said heterogeneous environment,
• loading said first service object on said first computer,
• loading said second service object on said second computer, and
• selectively loading said third service object on one of either said first computer or said second computer,
• then executing each of said first, second and third service objects to execute said application program.