SYSTEM FOR OBJECT ORIENTED DYNAMIC LINKING BASED UPON A CATALOG OF REGISTERED FUNCTION SET OR CLASS IDENTIFIERS

摘要

A system is provided for managing code resourcesfor use by client applications in a computer, whereinthe computer has internal memory storing at least oneclient application. The apparatus comprises a resource setcatalog stored in the internal memory. The resource setcatalog identifies a plurality of function sets of functionsby respective function set IDs. Further, the resource setcatalog includes set records which characterize the functionswithin me respective sets. A dispatch engine, in theinternal memory, linked with a client application, suppliesa particular function set ID in response to a call by theclient application of a particular function which is a memberof a corresponding function set identified by the particularfunction set ID. A lookup engine in the internal memory,coupled with the resource set catalog and the dispatchengine, is responsive to the particular function set ID tolook up a set tad for a corresponding function set in theresource set catalog. Finally, a link engine in the internalmemory and coupled with the dispatch engine returns theparticular function to the client application in response tothe set record. Thus because the link engine is responsiveto the set record, which is not linked with the client, theclient need not be aware of changes in the structure of thelibrary in which the particular function set resides. Thus, thefunction set can be moved into and out of internal memory,revised placed in different sections of internal memory,and otherwise handled independently of the client, withoutrequiring re-compilation of the client application.