External registration for function configuration within a client platform application

• US 8,108,851 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hoover, Adam M., Miller, Gregg W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Thuy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Cheneca
• Application Number:
  US11/343,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20070180444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,192 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A method, system and computer program and method for modifying functionality of a computer program. In one embodiment, configuration files include configuration directives for removing and replacing computer executable codes. The configuration directives include code identifiers pointing to the computer executable codes for execution by the computer program. A lookup module is configured to recursively search for configuration files within plug-in packages. A control module is configured to modify the program flow of the computer program in accordance with the configuration directives.

Claims

1. A method for modifying functionality of an installed computer program, the method comprising:

receiving a first plug-in package, the first plug-in package including a first code identifier, the first code identifier pointing to a first computer executable code provided in said first plug-in package for modifying functionality of the installed computer program; and

receiving a second plug-in package, the second plug-in package including a configuration directive for at least one of removing and replacing the first computer executable code, the configuration directive including the first code identifier; and

modifying program flow of the computer program in accordance with the configuration directive.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

replacing the first computer executable code with a second computer executable code for execution by the computer program; and

wherein the configuration directive includes a second code identifier, the second code identifier pointing to the second computer executable code.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing the first computer executable code; and

wherein the configuration directive includes a null value.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a key-value entry in a key-value listing, the key-value entry including the first code identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading the configuration directive from a file within the second plug-in package.

6. A system for modifying functionality of a computer program, the system comprising:

a processor configured to execute said computer program;

wherein said processor is configured to execute code that causes said processor to implement;

a lookup module configured to recursively search for configuration files within plug-in packages, the configuration files including configuration directives for at least one of removing and replacing computer executable codes provided within the plug-in packages; and

a control module configured to modify program flow of the computer program in accordance with the configuration directives and a hierarchy of the plug-in packages;

wherein the configuration directives include code identifiers pointing to the computer executable codes for execution by the computer program.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control module is further configured to replace a first code identifier with a second code identifier.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the control module is further configured to replace a first code identifier with a null value.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the lookup module is further configured to populate a key-value data structure, the key-value data structure including the code identifiers.

10. A computer program product embodied in a computer memory comprising:

computer readable program codes coupled to the computer memory for modifying functionality of an installed computer application, the computer readable program codes configured to cause the program to;

receive a first plug-in package, the first plug-in package including a first code identifier, the first code identifier pointing to a first computer executable code provided in said first plug-in package for modifying functionality of the installed computer application;

receive a second plug-in package, the second plug-in package including a configuration directive for at least one of removing and replacing the first computer executable code, the configuration directive including the first code identifier; and

modify program flow of the computer application in accordance with the configuration directive.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising:

program codes configured to cause the program to replace the first computer executable code with a second computer executable code for execution by the computer application; and

wherein the configuration directive includes a second code identifier, the second code identifier pointing to the second computer executable code.

12. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising:

program codes configured to cause the program to remove the first computer executable code; and

wherein the configuration directive includes a null value.

13. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising program codes configured to cause the program to create a key-value entry in a key-value listing, the key-value entry including the first code identifier.

14. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising program codes configured to cause the program to load the configuration directive from a file within the second plug-in package.