Patent ID: 7114152
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method in a data processing system for loading a class, the method comprising: loading a class; inserting an immutability flag into the class; determining whether the class is immutable; setting the immutability flag if the class is immutable; receiving a request to invoke a server application; examining an argument in the request; if the argument is an object, identifying the class that describes the object; determining whether an immutability flag that is inserted into the class that describes the object is set, wherein the object is immutable if the immutability flag inserted into the class that describes the object is set; if the object is immutable, passing an argument to the server application that includes a reference to the object, the argument not including a copy of the object; and if the object is mutable, passing a copy of the object to the server application.