Patent ID: 7376942
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of managing memory for class variables, comprising: loading a class based on a class file that includes a specification of class variables that belong to the class, said class being associated with a variable-format container object and one or more methods; and allocating the variable-format container object for accessing both numeric and non-numeric static class variables belonging to the class, said variable-format container object containing a plurality of slots that store either numeric values for numeric class variables or references to objects associated with non-numeric class variables, wherein said plurality of slots include a first slot storing a numeric value for a numeric class variable and a second slot storing a reference to an object for a non-numeric class variable; using the variable-format container object to access the numeric class variable; and using the variable-format container object to access the non-numeric class variable; wherein using the variable-format container object to access the numeric class variable is performed using at least one fewer dereference operation than would be performed when using the variable-format container object to access the non-numeric class variable.