Abstract: A method, system and program for redefining language dependent object definitions as a neutral set of information from which object support for any language, including support between languages, is disclosed. The information is parsed and compiled to generate a bindings file which is input along with method information to the target language compiler to create an object file. The object file is thereafter link edited to create executable programs. Target languages include C, Fortran, C++, COBOL or any other compiled language whether or not the particular language has object programming support. Messages are displayed on a display to aid a user.

Abstract: A method, system and program for supporting a dynamic bind between a derived class and its parent class. A processor provides for the registration of class objects and dynamic binding of derived class objects to their parent class objects based on the registration mechanism. The SOM object model removes static references to class objects by having all the parent class information available at runtime through the parent class object. Thus, when the derived class implementation needs information about the size of the parent class state data structure, the addresses of the parent class method procedures, or access to the parent class method procedure table the appropriate information is retrieved from the parent class object.

Abstract: A method, system and program for effectively managing class method names by collecting representations of all of the names and additional supporting information in a single data structure. Management is accomplished by the operation of an algorithm in the memory of a processor which employs two mechanisms. First, the class method procedure tables are initialized by class specific procedures. This allows applications to access the methods without requiring externalization of the method means. The information provided by the specific procedures is retained by the class object and is accessible via class methods whenever the information is required. Second, any additional supporting information for methods, in particular the offset in the method procedure table for each method, is recorded in a single externally named data structure. The combination of the two mechanisms eliminates the requirement of external names on a per method basis.

Abstract: A method, system and program for isolating the executable binary form of computer applications that use object definition libraries from changes in the implementation or specification of object definitions in the library. These objects include adding new methods to an object definition; moving the point of definition for one of the class methods to the class parent class; changing private instance data associated with an object definition; inserting a new parent class definition between the class and its parent class when it has one; and changing the implementation of one of the class methods without changing the methods interface. The objects are achieved by removing offset and size values from the application binary image and putting them in data structures that are initialized at runtime.