US Patent:
20020170046, Nov 14, 2002
Inventors:
Philip Goward - Portland OR, US
William Leler - Portland OR, US
International Classification:
G06F009/44
Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for encapsulating a distributed programming component as a local component in order to facilitate use of the distributed programming component. The system operates by receiving a command to import the distributed programming component. In response to this command, the system instantiates the local component and then generates method translations for the local component, so that method invocations to the local component cause corresponding operations involving the distributed programming component to take place. The system also initializes variables to be used in accessing the distributed programming component. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for referencing a distributed programming component through a local component. The system operates by receiving an invocation of a method defined within the local component, wherein the local component encapsulates the distributed programming component in order to allow the distributed programming component to be accessed as a local component. Next, if the method belongs to a first set of methods, the system uses indirection to call a corresponding method defined within the distributed programming component. On the other hand, if the method belongs to a second set of methods, the system executes code defined within the local component to facilitate operation of the distributed programming component.