Method and apparatus for loading an in-place executable file into a virtual machine

摘要

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates loading of an in-place executable file into a virtual machine. The system operates by loading the in-place executable file into the virtual machine, where the in-place executable file contains internal pointers that point to memory locations within the in-place executable file, and a target memory address that specifies a target location in memory where the in-place executable file is configured to be loaded. The system then determines an actual memory address at which the in-place executable file is actually loaded. If the actual memory address and the target memory address are different, the system generates an offset value, which is the difference between the actual memory address and the target memory address. Finally, the system adjusts each internal pointer within the in-place executable file by the offset value so that the internal pointers point to intended locations inside the in-place executable file.