Computerized method and system for implementing distributed applications

• US 6,694,370 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bischof, Joerg, Hild, Stefan G., Oestreicher, Marcus
• Primary Examiner(s): COURTENAY III, ST JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/509,852
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/203, 709/200, 709/201, 709/220-229, 709/315-317
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4868 with creation or replication

Abstract

A computerized method and a system for implementing in a network distributed applications, comprising instructions for a computer process which are executable on different locations in the network, is proposed. The instructions include an assert-command and/or a release-command.

Claims

1. A computerized method for implementing in a network (20) a distributed application (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) comprising instructions for a computer process which are executable on different locations (1, 2, 3) in said network (20), said instructions including:

an assert-command (4) pointing to an identified location (2, 3, 1) of said different locations (1, 2, 3), which command effects that its subsequent instructions (5, 6, 7) are to be executed at said identified location (2, 3, 1); and

/or

a release-command (8), which effects that the execution of its subsequent instructions (9, 10) is not bound to any of said locations (1, 2, 3).

2. The computerized method according to claim 1, wherein the location (1, 2, 3) is identified by giving a location identifier which comprises of said location (1, 2, 3) its definite position or a functionality required for execution at said location (1, 2, 3) or a parameter whose value is to be chosen optimal for said execution at said location (1, 2, 3) or by giving an address where to find said location identifier.

3. The computerized method according to claim 1, wherein the instructions include the assert-command (4), whereby said assert-command (4) is used wherever it is to be effected that its subsequent instructions (5, 6, 7) are executed at the identified location (2, 3, 1).

4. The computerized method according to claim 1, wherein the instructions include the assert-command (4), whereby in case of non-availability of the location (1, 2, 3) for the execution, the application does not continue, which realizes a first assert-command type (ASSERT), or suspends, which realizes a second assert-command type (INSIST), or continues by executing the subsequent instructions at the previously used location, which realizes a third assert-command type (PREFERRED).

5. The computerized method according to claim 4, wherein several of the assert-command types are used in the application (11.1, 11.2, 11.3).

6. The computerized method according to claim 4, wherein the assert-command (4) points to at least one another identified location (2, 3, 1) of the different locations (1, 2, 3) and that either one of said pointed-to identified locations (2, 3, 1) is choosable ad libitum or that said identified locations (2, 3, 1) are arranged in a predetermined preference-ordered sequence.

7. The computerized method according to claim 1, wherein a runtime system in the case of the assert-command (4) moves the application (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) or parts thereof to the identified location (2, 3, 1) and/or in the case of the release-command (8) leaves the choice of the location (1, 2, 3) whereto said application (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) is moved, to at least one system- and/or state-dependent condition, and, having said application (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) at said identified location (2, 3, 1) or chosen location (2, 3, 1) executes the instructions.

8. The computerized method according to claim 1, wherein said instructions (4-10) are Java-based.

9. A system for implementing in a network (20) distributed applications (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) with instructions of a computer process which are executable on different locations (1, 2, 3) in said network (20), comprising at each location:

a processor for executing said instructions;

a memory unit coupled to said processor, for storing said instructions;

an interface of said processor to said network;

a runtime system, managing the execution of said instructions;

which include;

a. an assert-command (4) pointing to an identified location (2, 3, 1) of said different locations (1, 2, 3), which command effects that its subsequent instructions (5, 6, 7) are to be executed at said identified location (2, 3, 1); and

/or

b. a release-command (8), which effects that the execution of its subsequent instructions (9, 10) is not bound to any of said locations (1, 2, 3).

10. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computerized method of implementing in a network (20) distributed applications (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), comprising instructions for a computer process which are executable on different locations (1, 2, 3) in said network (20), the method improving the location flexibility in said network (20) in that said instructions include:

an assert-command (8) pointing to an identified location (2, 3, 1) of said different locations (1, 2, 3), which command effects that its subsequent instructions (5, 6, 7) are to be executed at said identified location (2, 3, 1); and

/or

a release-command (8), which effects that the execution of its subsequent instructions (9, 10) is not bound to any of said locations (1, 2, 3).