Patent ID: 6694346
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for providing in a computer, a virtual data Processing entity that is re-usable by multiple application programs that run on said computer, said method comprising:allocating a shared heap to which said multiple application programs write data; storing in said shared heap, non-application program-specific code that is used to control runtime operations of said computer; allocating a private heap to each respective application program of said multiple application programs, said private heap having an area of memory reserved for exclusive use by the respective application program; storing in each said private heap application program-specific data for the respective application program with which each said private heap is associated; resetting to an initial state, values stored in an associated private heap upon completion of execution of an application program, and retaining contents of said shared heap for subsequent use, thereby enabling said non-application program-specific code stored in said shared heap to be reused without a need for a relinking, re-verification, recompilation or reloading thereof; and retaining data which defines said virtual data Processing entity for use by a subsequent application program.