Patent ID: 6182282
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer implemented method of compiling at least a portion of a computer program for calling at least one inherited virtual function in at least one class, the method comprising the steps of:determining the inherited virtual functions in said at least one class for which an address adjustment value would be stored in a virtual function table; andconstructing said virtual function table for said at least one class, said virtual function table comprising an entry for each inherited virtual function and for any new virtual function introduced in said at least one class, said virtual function table comprising entries of at least two different types, wherein each entry of a first type in said virtual function table for each said determined inherited virtual function includes a first field containing an address pointer of a virtual function and a second field containing an address adjustment value by which to adjust said address of a virtual function contained in said first field, and wherein each entry of a second type in said virtual function table for each remaining inherited virtual function and for each new virtual function comprises a first field containing an address pointer and does not include a field containing an address adjustment value, each said address pointer in a first field of an entry of said second type representing one of the location of an address adjustment program and an address of said function.