Controlling access to software component state

A method implemented by one or more processors of a device, the method comprising:

• receiving a setting declaration for a software component, the setting declaration identifying an appropriate format for accessing a declared setting;
• receiving, for the declared setting, multiple values;
• and
• concurrently maintaining the multiple values.

A method implemented by one or more processors of a device, the method comprising:

• receiving a setting declaration for a software component of a software product, the setting declaration identifying an appropriate format for accessing a declared setting and also including a default value for the declared setting, the setting declaration being received as part of a manifest storing metadata describing the software component;
• receiving a request from the software component to write an additional value for the declared setting;
• checking whether the request to write the additional value conforms to an appropriate format for the declared setting, the checking comprising checking both whether a name identified in the request and a name of the declared setting are the same, and whether a setting type for the additional value in the request and a setting type of the declared setting are the same;
• and
• if the request conforms to the appropriate format for the declared setting, then performing the request by storing the additional value while maintaining the default value, and denying the request if the request does not conform to the appropriate format for the declared setting.