Integration of objects including Java bytecodes with legacy 3270 applications

• US 6,480,895 B1
• Filed: 05/06/1998
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gray, James Peyton, Kaminsky, David Louis, Peters, Marcia Lambert, Telford, Richard Dean, Mathewson, James Merwin II
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kang, Paul H
• Application Number:
  US09/073,423
• Time in Patent Office: 1,651 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/203, 709/227, 709/328, 709/231, 709/230, 709/236, 370/401
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 Software maintenance or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications

Abstract

Objects including Java bytecodes are embedded in a 3270 datastream structured field. The 3270 datastream structured field, including the objects so embedded, are passed between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture. An initialization protocol sends a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java. The secondary logical unit sends a Query Reply structured field to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit if the secondary logical unit supports Java. In response to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit, the 3270 datastream structured field including embedded objects such as Java bytecodes is passed between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit. The objects that are embedded in a 3270 datastream structured field may include Java bytecodes, images and audio. Spanning may be used to send objects that exceed structured field length limits. Accordingly, Java and other objects may be integrated with legacy 3270 applications, without requiring the rewriting of legacy applications, and allowing the use of the highly developed 3270 datastream architecture.

Claims

1. A system for passing Java bytecodes between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the system comprising:

means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

means for passing the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:

means for determining whether the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports Java.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the system further comprising:

means for determining if the middle tier server supports Java;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support Java.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein the determining means comprises:

means for sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java; and

means for sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the passing means being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises:

means for embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

6. A system according to claim 1:

wherein the means for embedding comprises means for embedding Java bytecodes of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the means for passing comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

7. A system according to claim 6 further comprising:

means for caching the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields in the secondary logical unit to thereby reduce latency.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the means for spanning comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields including an indicator that inhibits invocation of the Java bytecodes, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

9. A system according to claim 7 further comprising:

means for invoking the Java bytecodes by reference;

means for testing whether the Java bytecodes that are invoked by reference are cached in the secondary logical unit; and

means for requesting the Java bytecodes from the primary logical unit if the Java bytecodes that are invoked by reference are not cached in the secondary logical unit.

10. A system for passing Java bytecodes from a primary logical unit to a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the system comprising:

means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

means for pushing the 3270 datastream structured field including Java bytecodes so embedded, from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit under control of the primary logical unit, without receiving a request for the Java bytecodes from the secondary logical unit.

11. A system according to claim 10 further comprising:

means for determining whether the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the pushing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports Java.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the system further comprising:

means for determining if the middle tier server supports Java;

the pushing means being responsive to the determining means, to push the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support Java.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein the determining means comprises:

means for sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java; and

means for sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the pushing means being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

14. A system according to claim 10 wherein the means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises:

means for embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

15. A system according to claim 10:

wherein the means for embedding comprises means for embedding Java bytecodes of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the means for pushing comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit.

16. A method for passing Java bytecodes between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the method comprising the steps of:

embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

passing the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the following step is performed before the passing step:

determining whether the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the passing step being responsive to the determining step to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports Java.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the method further comprising the step of:

determining if the middle tier server supports Java;

the passing step being responsive to the determining steps, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support Java.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the determining step comprises the steps of:

sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java; and

sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the passing step being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

20. A method according to claim 16 wherein the step of embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises the step of:

embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

21. A method according to claim 16:

wherein the step of embedding comprises the step of embedding Java bytecodes of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the step of passing comprises the step of spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the spanning step is followed by the step of:

caching the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields in the secondary logical unit to thereby reduce latency.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of spanning comprises the step of spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields including an indicator that inhibits invocation of the Java bytecodes, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

24. A method according to claim 22 further comprising the step of:

invoking the Java bytecodes by reference;

testing whether the Java bytecodes that are invoked by reference are cached in the secondary logical unit; and

requesting the Java bytecodes from the primary logical unit if the Java bytecodes that are invoked by reference are not cached in the secondary logical unit.

25. A method for passing Java bytecodes from a primary logical unit to a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the method comprising the steps of:

embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

pushing the 3270 datastream structured field including Java bytecodes so embedded, from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit under control of the primary logical unit, without receiving a request for the Java bytecodes from the secondary logical unit.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the following step is performed before the pushing step:

determining whether the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the pushing step being responsive to the determining step to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports Java.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the method further comprising the step of:

determining if the middle tier server supports Java;

the pushing step being responsive to the determining steps, to push the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support Java.

28. A method according to claim 26 wherein the determining step comprises the steps of:

sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java; and

sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the pushing step being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

29. A method according to claim 25 wherein the step of embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises the step of:

embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

30. A method according to claim 25:

wherein the step of embedding comprises the step of embedding Java bytecodes of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the step of pushing comprises the step of spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit.

31. A computer program product for passing Java bytecodes between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer-readable program code means comprising:

computer-readable program code means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

computer-readable program code means for passing the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

32. A computer program product according to claim 31 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for determining whether the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports Java.

33. A computer program product according to claim 32 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the computer program product further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for determining if the middle tier server supports Java;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support Java.

34. A computer program product according to claim 32 wherein the determining means comprises:

computer-readable program code means for sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java; and

computer-readable program code means for sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the passing means being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

35. A computer program product according to claim 31 wherein the means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises:

computer-readable program code means for embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

36. A computer program product according to claim 31:

wherein the means for embedding comprises computer-readable program code means for embedding Java bytecodes of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the means for passing comprises computer-readable program code means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

37. A computer program product according to claim 36 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for caching the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields in the secondary logical unit to thereby reduce latency.

38. A computer program product according to claim 37 wherein the means for spanning comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields including an indicator that inhibits invocation of the Java bytecodes, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

39. A computer program product according to claim 37 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for invoking the Java bytecodes by reference;

computer-readable program code means for testing whether the Java bytecodes that are invoked by reference are cached in the secondary logical unit; and

computer-readable program code means for requesting the Java bytecodes from the primary logical unit if the Java bytecodes that are invoked by reference are not cached in the secondary logical unit.

40. A computer program product for passing Java bytecodes from a primary logical unit to a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer-readable program code means comprising:

computer-readable program code means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

computer-readable program code means for pushing the 3270 datastream structured field including Java bytecodes so embedded, from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit under control of the primary logical unit, without receiving a request for the Java bytecodes from the secondary logical unit.

41. A computer program product according to claim 40 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for determining whether the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the pushing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports Java.

42. A computer program product according to claim 41 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the system further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for determining if the middle tier server supports Java;

the pushing means being responsive to the determining means, to push the 3270 datastream structured field including the Java bytecodes so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support Java.

43. A computer program product according to claim 41 wherein the determining means comprises:

computer-readable program code means for sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports Java; and

computer-readable program code means for sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports Java;

the pushing means being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

44. A computer program product according to claim 40 wherein the means for embedding Java bytecodes in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises:

computer-readable program code means for embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

45. A computer program product according to claim 40:

wherein the means for embedding comprises computer-readable program code means for embedding Java bytecodes of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the means for pushing comprises computer-readable program code means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit.

46. A system for passing objects between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the system comprising:

means for embedding the objects in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

means for passing the 3270 datastream structured field including the objects so embedded, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

47. A system according to claim 46 further comprising:

means for determining whether the secondary logical unit supports the objects;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the objects so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports the objects.

48. A system according to claim 47 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the system further comprising:

means for determining if the middle tier server supports the objects;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the objects so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support the objects.

49. A system according to claim 46 wherein the determining means comprises:

means for sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports the objects; and

means for sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports the objects;

the passing means being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

50. A system according to claim 46 wherein the means for embedding objects in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises at least one of:

means for embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field;

means for embedding an image and an image identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

means for embedding audio and an audio identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

51. A system according to claim 46:

wherein the means for embedding comprises means for embedding an object of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the means for passing comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

52. A system according to claim 51 further comprising:

means for caching the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields in the secondary logical unit to thereby reduce latency.

53. A system according to claim 51 wherein the means for spanning comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields including an indicator that inhibits invocation of the objects, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

54. A system according to claim 53 further comprising:

means for invoking the object by reference;

means for testing whether the object that is invoked by reference is cached in the secondary logical unit; and

means for requesting the object from the primary logical unit if the object that is invoked by reference is not cached in the secondary logical unit.

55. A method for passing objects between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the method comprising the steps of:

embedding an object in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

passing the 3270 datastream structured field including the object so embedded, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

56. A method according to claim 55 wherein the following step is performed before the passing step:

determining whether the secondary logical unit supports the object;

the passing step being responsive to the determining step to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the object so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports the object.

57. A method according to claim 56 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the method further comprising the step of:

determining if the middle tier server supports the object;

the passing step being responsive to the determining steps, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the object so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support the object.

58. A method according to claim 56 wherein the determining step comprises the steps of:

sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports the object; and

sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports the object;

the passing step being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

59. A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of embedding an object in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises at least one of the steps of:

embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field;

embedding an image and an image identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

embedding audio and an audio identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

60. A method according to claim 55:

wherein the step of embedding comprises the step of embedding an object of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the step of passing comprises the step of spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

61. A method according to claim 60 wherein the spanning step is followed by the step of:

caching the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields in the secondary logical unit to thereby reduce latency.

62. A method according to claim 61 wherein the step of spanning comprises the step of spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields including an indicator that inhibits invocation of the object, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

63. A method according to claim 61 further comprising the steps of:

invoking the object by reference;

testing whether the object that is invoked by reference is cached in the secondary logical unit; and

requesting the object from the primary logical unit if the object that is invoked by reference is not cached in the secondary logical unit.

64. A computer program product for passing objects between a primary logical unit and a secondary logical unit that communicate with each other over a network using 3270 datastream architecture, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer-readable program code means comprising:

computer-readable program code means for embedding an object in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

computer-readable program code means for passing the 3270 datastream structured field including the object so embedded, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

65. A computer program product according to claim 64 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for determining whether the secondary logical unit supports the object;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the object so embedded, if the secondary logical unit supports the object.

66. A computer program product according to claim 65 wherein the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit communicate with each other via a middle tier server, the computer program product further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for determining if the middle tier server supports the object;

the passing means being responsive to the determining means, to pass the 3270 datastream structured field including the object so embedded, if the secondary logical unit and the middle tier server both support the object.

67. A computer program product according to claim 65 wherein the determining means comprises:

computer-readable program code means for sending a Read Partition (Query) structured field from the primary logical unit to the secondary logical unit, to query whether the secondary logical unit supports the object; and

computer-readable program code means for sending a Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit to the primary logical unit in response to receipt of the Read Partition (Query) from the primary logical unit, if the secondary logical unit supports the object;

the passing means being responsive to receipt of the Query Reply structured field from the secondary logical unit.

68. A computer program product according to claim 64 wherein the means for embedding an object in a 3270 datastream structured field comprises at least one of:

computer-readable program code means for embedding a Java applet and a Java applet identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field;

computer-readable program code means for embedding an image and an image identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field; and

computer-readable program code means for embedding audio and an audio identifier in a 3270 datastream structured field.

69. A computer program product according to claim 64:

wherein the means for embedding comprises computer-readable program code means for embedding an object of a size that exceeds a structured field length limit into a plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields; and

wherein the means for passing comprises computer-readable program code means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

70. A computer program product according to claim 69 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for caching the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields in the secondary logical unit to thereby reduce latency.

71. A computer program product according to claim 70 wherein the means for spanning comprises means for spanning the plurality of 3270 datastream structured fields including an indicator that inhibits invocation of the object, between the primary logical unit and the secondary logical unit.

72. A computer program product according to claim 70 further comprising:

computer-readable program code means for invoking the object by reference;

computer-readable program code means for testing whether the object that is invoked by reference is cached in the secondary logical unit; and

computer-readable program code means for requesting the object from the primary logical unit if the object that is invoked by reference is not cached in the secondary logical unit.