Method and apparatus for passing null references between software components through legacy framework
First Claim
1. A method in a data processing system for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, comprising:
- receiving a null value from the first software component;
replacing the null value with a sentinel value, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
passing the sentinel value to the second software component.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Intermediary frameworks allow software components to agree on sentinel values. When a software component attempts to pass a null value to a software component that does not support null values, an intermediate framework replaces the null value with a corresponding sentinel value. When a software component that is not null-capable attempts to pass a sentinel value to a null-capable software component, the intermediate framework replaces the sentinel with a null value. The sentinel values may be randomly generated or assigned by a user. A sentinel value is a valid data value that is never used during program execution. A user may designate the sentinel values based on the data models of the software components.
20 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method in a data processing system for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, comprising:
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receiving a null value from the first software component;
replacing the null value with a sentinel value, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
passing the sentinel value to the second software component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method in a data processing system for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, comprising:
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receiving a sentinel value from the first software component, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system;
replacing the sentinel value with a null value; and
passing the null value to the second software component. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method in a data processing system for passing null values from a first software component having a first data model to a second software component having a second data model, comprising:
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mapping data elements from the first data model to the second data model to form a mapped data model;
assigning a sentinel value for each null data element in the first data model, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
generating intermediate code for passing values from the first software component to the second software component based on the mapped data model and the sentinel values. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
receiving mapping instructions from a user; and
mapping the data elements form the first data model to the second data model based on the mapping instructions.
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20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of receiving mapping instructions from a user comprises receiving the mapping instructions from a graphical user interface.
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21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of assigning a sentinel value for each null data element in the first data model comprises receiving a sentinel value from a user.
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22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of receiving a sentinel value from the user comprises receiving the sentinel value from a graphical user interface.
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23. The method of claim 18, wherein the intermediate code is glue code.
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24. An apparatus for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, in a data processing system, comprising:
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receipt means for receiving a null value from the first software component;
replacement means for replacing the null value with a sentinel value, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
passing means for passing the sentinel value to the second software component. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, in a data processing system, comprising:
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receipt means for receiving a sentinel value from the first software component, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system;
replacement means for replacing the sentinel value with null value; and
passing means for passing the null value to the second software component. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus for passing null values from a first software component having a first data model to a second software component having a second data model, in a data processing system, comprising:
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mapping means for mapping data elements from the first data model to the second data model to form a mapped data model;
assignment means for assigning a sentinel value for each null-able data element in the first data model, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
code generation means for generating intermediate code for passing value from the first software component to the second software component based on the mapped data model and the sentinel values. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
means for receiving mapping instructions from a user; and
means for mapping the data elements from the first data model to the second data model based on the mapping instructions.
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36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the means for receiving mapping instructions from a user comprises a graphical user interface.
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37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the assignment means comprises means for receiving a sentinel value from a user.
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38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving a sentinel value from the user comprises a graphical user interface.
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39. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the intermediate code is glue code.
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40. A computer program product, in a data processing system, for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, comprising:
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instructions for receiving a null value from the first software component;
instructions for replacing the null value with a sentinel value, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
instructions for passing the sentinel value to the second software component.
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41. A computer program product, in a data processing system, for passing null values from a first software component to a second software component, comprising:
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instructions for receiving a sentinel value from the first software component, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system;
instructions for replacing the sentinel value with a null value; and
instructions for passing the null value to the second software component.
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42. A computer program product, in a data processing system, for passing null values from a first software component having a first data model to a second software component having a second data model, comprising:
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instructions for mapping data elements from the first data model to the second data model to form a mapped data model;
instructions for assigning a sentinel value for each null-able data element in the first data model, wherein the sentinel value is a value that is randomly generated in the data processing system; and
instructions for generating intermediate code for passing values from the first software component to the second software component based on the mapped data model and the sentinel values.
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Specification