Patent ID: 6412019
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer implemented method for invocation of operations on objects with interface inheritance in an object oriented programming environment on a data processor containing memory, in which a plurality of objects are categorized into classes according to related operations, said method comprising:creating an mtable for an apparent interface for an object, the mtable including a plurality of pointers to functions for said interface and a plurality of pointers to additional mtables, said additional mtables being for a plurality of inherited interfaces of said object and having the same table structure as said mtable for said apparent interface; providing an identifier field including identifier information for said mtable contained within said mtable; providing a first count field identifying a numerical count of said plurality of pointers to functions contained within said mtable; providing a second count field identifying a numerical count of said plurality of pointers to additional mtables contained within said table; pointing to data for said object using a pointer, said pointer being part of an object reference, said data for said object being separate from said object reference; pointing to said mtable for said object using a pointer, said pointer being part of said object reference, said pointing to data and said pointing to said mtable being facilitated by said object reference using separate pointers; and invoking a plurality of operations on said data and said mtable pointed to by said object reference.