Techniques for implementing a framework for extensible applications
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorAnselm Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for providing extensible applications arc provided. A bundle or software module can be developed that is able to install itself within an application. The software module can also inform the application upon which services the software module depends so that if the required services are not available, the application can obtain them. An activation function can be defined in the software module that registers the services provided by the software module with the application so that the services can be available to other software modules.
Claims21
In a computer system, a method for providing a software module within an application, the method comprising:
- receiving the software module that is to be added to the application, the software module providing at least one service to the application;
- calling an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;
- and
- calling a dependencies function of the software module that informs the application of services that are required by the software module.
A computer program product for providing a software module within an application, comprising:
- computer code that receives a software module that is to be added to an application, the software module providing at least one service to the application;
- computer code that calls an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;
- computer code that calls a dependencies function of the software module that informs the application of services that are required by the software module;
- and
- a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
In a computer system, a method for defining a software module that is configured for installation within an application, the method comprising:
- defining a service provided by the software module;
- defining an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;
- defining a dependencies function of the software module that indicates services required by the software module;
- and
- defining an activation function of the software module that registers with the application the services provided by the software module.
A computer program product of a software module configured for installation within an application, comprising:
- computer code that retrieves information regarding active objects at a first point in time of the execution of an object-oriented program;
- computer code that defines a service provided by the software module;
- computer code that defines an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;
- computer code that defines a dependencies function of the software module that indicates services required by the software module;
- computer code that defines an activation function for the software module that registers with the application the services provided by the software module;
- and
- a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.