Patent ID: 6345382
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method of extending functionality of an application, said method comprising:instantiating an instance of a class, said class having an interface declaring a first function and a second function, wherein an implementation of the first function is defined with the class and included within the interface; and dynamically loading at run-time an implementation for the second function, wherein the dynamically loading comprises: locating said implementation for the second function, wherein said locating comprises initializing a transfer vector usable in accessing said implementation for the second function, wherein said initializing comprises indicating in said transfer vector an indication of a location of said implementation for the second function; and incorporating the implementation for the second function into the interface of the instantiated instance of the class to extend functionality of the instantiated instance of the class, wherein an implementation for the first function is not dynamically loaded at run-time.