Expression evaluation in a multi-language debugger
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorDerek K. Carter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for evaluating expressions in a multi-language debugger. Operandi in an expression are first normalized, and then evaluation routines written in the language of the expression to be evaluated are called. A program storage device, readable by a computer having a memory, tangibly embodying a program of instruction executable by the computer, performs the steps of identifying an operand type for an expression; normalizing the operand; calling a native language routine associated with the expression to produce a result; and un-normalizing the result. Thus, the need for very complex expression evaluation routines is obviated. Further, the native language routines need handle only normalized operandi rather than every variation of each data type.
Claims24
A method for evaluating expressions in a multi-language program, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a type for an operand in an expression;
- normalizing the operand;
- calling a native language routine associated with the expression to produce a result;
- and
- un-normalizing the result obtained from the native language routine.
A computer programming apparatus for evaluating expressions in a multi-language program, comprising:
- a computer, including a user interface and a display device;
- means for identifying a type for an operand in an expression;
- means for normalizing the operand;
- means for evaluating the expression, the evaluation means routine being written in the language of the expression to be evaluated;
- means for performing the expression to obtain a result;
- and
- means for un-normalizing the result.
A program storage device, readable by a computer having a memory, tangibly embodying a program of instruction executable by the computer to perform the steps of:
- identifying a type for an operand in an expression;
- normalizing the operand;
- calling a native language routine associated with the expression to produce a result;
- and
- un-normalizing the result obtained from the native language routine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.