Abstract: A method of translating object-oriented computer programs into native code includes a two-step translation process, first by a jcode translator (212) into a machine-independent virtual processor code (213), and then by a native translator (214) into native code (230). In a heterogeneous multiprocessor environment, the machine-independent part of the translation can be carried out at the central server, with machine-independent virtual processor code being distributed as required to the individual clients. Each client then needs to carry just a small processor-dependent native translator (214) with which it completes the conversion into native code. The invention finds particular application in embedded systems, and particularly in heterogeneous-processor systems such as mobile phone networks.

Abstract: A method of executing an object-oriented computer program comprises loading into the execution environment the selected methods that are to be run without necessarily loading the entirety of the class. In a multiprocessor environment, a server (410) maintains a store of processor-independent virtual processor tools (482). Individual tools may be transmitted as requested across a communications network (450) to individual clients (430,440), without any need to transmit the whole of the original class file (480). Each client carries a small processor-dependent native translator (424,425) with which it translates the downloaded processor-independent tool into native code. The invention finds particular application in embedded systems, and particularly in wireless client networks such as mobile phone networks.

Abstract: A data processing system incorporates two or more processors linked together in a network which are capable of parallel processing. The data processing system employs a load-sharing technique where any given processor, upon allocation of a process, decides based on the loading of its immediate neighbors in the network, whether it or one of its neighboring processors is better able at that time to execute that process. In accordance with that decision, the given processor either executes the process itself or hands the process over to one of its neighbors if that neighbor is better able at that time to perform that process.

Abstract: A data processing system is disclosed incorporating one or more processors linked together in a network and capable of parallel processing using a plurality of individual code segments common to all the data processors in the system but written for a virtual processor in a virtual processor code language which is different from that of all the data processors in the system. The code segments form unique autonomous tools common to all the processors in the system and are selected, translated and bound into a complete executable task by each individual processor at the time of loading or execution of a task by the respective processor.