US 7,096,467 B2Granted

Initialization of Java classes in Java virtual machine environments

AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.

InventorsDavid Wallman, Stepan Sokolov

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Abstract

Techniques for initialization of Java classes are disclosed. As such, the techniques can be implemented in a Java virtual machine to initialize Java classes represented in Java class files. A Java class loader suitable for loading class files into the Java virtual machine is disclosed. As will be appreciated, the Java class loader facilitates loading and execution of the Java initialization methods that need to be executed in order to initialize Java classes. Moreover, the Java class loader operates to remove the Java initialization methods after they have been executed and no longer serve a useful purpose. This means that the virtual machine can utilize its memory space more efficiently. As a result, the performance of virtual machines, especially those operating with limited resources is improved.

Claims15

Dependent claims

In a Java computing environment, a method of initializing Java classes in a Java class file suitable for loading by a Java virtual machine operating in the Java computing environment, said method comprising:

by a Java class loader, loading a first initialization method associated with a first Java class into a memory portion of said Java virtual machine, said first initialization method capable of initializing said first Java class when executed;
setting a monitor suitable for synchronization to a first state when said first initialization method has been loaded, wherein the monitor is usable as a synchronization mechanism to allow the Java virtual machine to know when the first initialization method has been loaded and is ready for execution;
executing said first initialization method after said first initialization method has been loaded into said memory portion of said Java virtual machine, thereby initializing said first Java class;
after the first initialization method has been executed, setting said monitor to a second state when said first initialization method has been executed;
and
by the Java class loader, deleting said first initialization method from said memory portion, based upon said monitor being in said second state, after said execution of said first initialization method has been completed, whereby the first initialization method is deleted independent of the loaded class.

3 more elements

A Java computing environment comprising:

a Java virtual machine suitable for loading and execution of Java class files;
a Java class loader operating to:
load a first initialization method associated with a first Java class into a memory portion of said Java virtual machine, said first initialization method capable of initializing said first Java class when executed;
set a monitor suitable for synchronization to a first state when said first initialization method has been loaded, wherein the monitor is usable as a synchronization mechanism to allow the Java virtual machine to know when the first initialization method has been loaded and is ready for execution;
execute said first initialization method after said first initialization method has been loaded into said memory portion of said Java virtual machine, thereby initializing said first Java class;
after the first initialization method has been executed, setting said monitor to a second state when said first initialization method has been executed;
and
delete said first initialization method from said memory portion, based upon said monitor being in said second state, after said execution of said first initialization method has been completed, whereby the first initialization method is deleted independent of the loaded class.

5 more elements

A computer readable medium including computer program code for initializing Java classes suitable for loading by a Java virtual machine operating in a Java computing environment;

said computer readable medium comprising:
computer readable code for loading, by a Java class loader, a first initialization method associated with a first Java class into a memory portion of said Java virtual machine, said first initialization method capable of initializing said first Java class when executed;
computer readable code for setting a monitor suitable for synchronization to a first state when said first initialization method has been loaded, wherein the monitor is usable as a synchronization mechanism to allow the Java virtual machine to know when the first initialization method has been loaded and is ready for execution;
computer readable code for executing said first initialization method after said first initialization method has been loaded into said memory portion of said Java virtual machine;
thereby initializing said first Java class;
computer readable code for, after the first initialization method has been executed, setting said monitor to a second state when said first initialization method has been executed;
and
computer readable code for, by the Java class loader, deleting said first initialization meted from said memory portion, based upon said monitor being in said second state, after said execution of said first initialization method has been completed, whereby the first initialization method is deleted independent of the loaded class.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.