System and method for lazy loading of shared libraries

An apparatus for loading an executable program into memory from permanent storage, the apparatus comprising:

• tasking block;
• loading block;
• and
• virtual memory block;
• wherein, when a user space requests an executable program:
• the tasking block creates a task, registers the task with the virtual memory block, and causes the loader block to initiate memory loading of the executable program;
• the loader block accesses a main executable file and objects identified in first level object libraries based on a executable file header, loads initial executable code of the main executable file into user memory, and, for each object identified in one of the first level of libraries, provides a module table entry which is registered with the virtual memory block;
• the virtual memory block stores a virtual representation of the objects identified in the first level object libraries and a virtual representation of data of the main executable file;
• wherein, when the user space is executing the executable program:
• the tasking block detects when one of the objects identified in the first level object libraries is referenced by the initial executable code, generates a load command and determines a second level object library from the one of the objects identified in the first level object libraries;
• the virtual memory block, in response to the load command, determines whether the one of the objects identified in the first level object libraries is currently in the user memory, and when the one of the objects identified in the first level object libraries is not in the user memory, generates a page fault, and provides a virtual representation of objects identified in the second level object library;
• the loader block, in response to the page fault, accesses the one of the objects identified in the first level object libraries to load into the user memory.