Abstract: A system and method for loading a segmented program into a memory for a multitasking data processing system utilizing paged virtual storage for processes is disclosed. A virtual address space having a plurality of pages for the segmented program is established. Segments of the segmented program suitable for packing end to end across page boundaries are identified. A virtual storage object over a contiguous portion of the virtual address space is defined and the segments identified for packing into the virtual storage object are mapped into the contiguous portion. Any segments not suitable for packing across page boundaries start on page boundaries in the virtual address space. Then segments corresponding to selected pages of the virtual address space are demand loaded into frames of the memory in the same manner in which they are addressed into the virtual address space.

Abstract: A data processing system is operable in a multitasking mode to include at least one process having a plurality of threads. Exception management is done on a per thread basis, as opposed to a per process basis. Further, when a process termination exception occurs, each thread is accessed to execute any process termination exception handler associated with the thread.