Method and apparatus for performing byte-code optimization during pauses

• US 20010052117A1
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lars Bak, Urs Holzle
• Original Assignee: Lars Bak, Urs Holzle
• Inventors: Bak, Lars, Holzle, Urs
• Granted Patent: US 6,865,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/141
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/4441 Reducing the execution time required by the program code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/48 Incremental compilation software reuse G06F8/36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45516 Runtime code conversion or optimisation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for dynamically compiling byte codes associated with methods during idle periods in the execution of a computer program are disclosed. The described methods are particularly suitable for use in computer systems that are arranged to execute both interpreted and compiled byte codes. In some embodiments, methods to be dynamically compiled are referenced in one or more lists. The lists may be prioritized to facilitate the compilation of the highest priority methods first. In one embodiment, a pair of compilation lists are provided with a first one of the compilation lists being created prior to processing the computer program while the other is created during the processing of the computer program.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for dynamically compiling methods during an idle period in the processing of a computer program, the computer-implemented method comprising:

identifying the idle period;

identifying a first method selected from a plurality of methods during the idle period, the plurality of methods being included in the computer program, wherein the computer program is arranged to execute both interpreted program code and compiled program code; and

initializing a compilation of the first method, wherein the initialization of the compilation of the first method occurs during the idle period.