Method and system for translating exception handling semantics of a bytecode class file

• US 6,131,187 A
• Filed: 08/17/1998
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Liao, Yu Chung, Chow, Chung Hen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAM, TUAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/134,826
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 395/705, 395/704, 395/709, 395/702, 707/206, 707/205, 711/202, 711/6, 712/244, 712/245, 712/233, 712/220, 714/57, 714/48
• US Class Current: 717/106
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/481 Exception handling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/30 Creation or generation of source code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/52 Binary to binary

Abstract

A method for translating exception handling semantics of a bytecode class file within a computer system is disclosed. An empty bytecode information array is first established. Pertinent information is then obtained by examining bytecodes within a bytecode stream, and such information are inserted into the bytecode information array. An exception framelist, which includes an exception handling routine, is subsequently obtained from a class file for the bytecode stream. The entries within the bytecode information array corresponding to a starting location and an ending location of the exception framelist are marked. Finally, a high-level code sequence is generated utilizing the bytecode information array.

Claims

1. A method for translating exception handling semantics within a bytecode class file from a bytecode stream in a computer system, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a bytecode information array;

examining each bytecode within said bytecode stream to insert pertinent information into said bytecode information array;

obtaining an exception framelist from said bytecode class file, wherein said exception framelist includes an exception handling routine;

marking said insert pertinent information in said bytecode information array that correspond to a starting location and an ending location of said exception framelist; and

generating a high-level code sequence utilizing said bytecode information array of said marking step.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said pertinent information includes program counters, stack pointers, and exception handler program counter.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said obtaining step further includes a step of obtaining said exception framelist from a class file within said bytecode stream.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said generating step further includes a step of generating a high-level code sequence via a compiler.

5. A computer system capable of translating exception handling semantics within a bytecode class file from a bytecode stream, comprising:

a bytecode information array;

means for examining each bytecode within said bytecode stream to insert pertinent information into said bytecode information array;

means for obtaining an exception framelist from said bytecode class file, wherein said exception framelist includes an exception handling routine;

means for marking said insert pertinent information in said bytecode information array that correspond to a starting location and an ending location of said exception framelist; and

means for generating a high-level code sequence utilizing said bytecode information array of said marking means.

6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein said pertinent information includes program counters, stack pointers, and exception handler program counter.

7. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein said obtaining means further includes a means for obtaining said exception framelist from a class file within said bytecode stream.

8. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein said generating means is a compiler.

9. A computer program product residing on a computer usable medium for translating exception handling semantics within a bytecode class file from a bytecode stream within a computer system, said computer program product comprising:

program code means for establishing a bytecode information array;

program code means for examining each bytecode within said bytecode stream to insert pertinent information into said bytecode information array;

program code means for obtaining an exception framelist from said bytecode class file, wherein said exception framelist includes an exception handling routine;

program code means for marking said insert pertinent information in said bytecode information array that correspond to a starting location and an ending location of said exception framelist; and

program code means for generating a high-level code sequence utilizing said bytecode information array of said marking program code means.

10. The computer program product according to claim 9, wherein said pertinent information includes program counters, stack pointers, and exception handler program counter.

11. The computer program product according to claim 9, wherein said program code means for obtaining further includes a program code means for obtaining said exception framelist from a class file within said bytecode stream.

12. The computer program product according to claim 9, wherein said program code means for generating is a compiler.