Patent ID: 6128771
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of generating object-oriented computer programs for accessing and updating persistently stored objects, wherein the method is performed under program control by a computer, the method comprising the steps of:receiving an initial computer program that includes original instructions for accessing objects stored in a computer's main memory;scanning the initial computer program to automatically identify object accessing instructions and corresponding program locations at which additional instructions are to be added representing a first subset of identified program locations;automatically, under computer program control, revising said initial computer program to generate a revised computer program by:adding object loading instructions to the initial computer program at the first subset of the identified program locations, wherein the added object loading instructions, during execution of said revised computer program, load respective ones of said objects from persistent storage into said main memory when each said respective object is accessed for a first time;wherein said received initial computer program also includes original instructions for updating objects stored in the computer's main memory;the method further including:scanning said initial computer program to automatically identify object updating instructions and corresponding program locations at which additional instructions are to be added representing a second subset of program locations;said revising step further including, automatically, under computer program control, revising said initial computer program by:adding object storing instructions to said initial computer program at the second subset of the identified program locations, wherein the added object storing instructions, during execution of said revised computer program, store respective ones of said objects in said computer's main memory into said persistent storage upon the occurrence of predefined events;whereinsaid objects accessed and updated by said original instructions include objects in a first set of object classes, and said objects stored in said persistent storage by said object storing instructions include objects in a second set of object classes that is a subset of said first set of object classes;said original instructions include object data structure defining instructions for defining data structures associated with said objects in said first set of object classes;said revising step further includes:adding supplemental object definition instructions that revise said data structures associated with said second set of object classes so as to enable said objects in said second set of object classes to store both main memory object pointers and persistent storage object identifiers for objects referenced by said objects in said second set of object classes.