Application Program Thread Management for DDE Message Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing application programs (APs) lead to significant delays in dynamic data exchange (DDE) message processing when threads are stopped, causing inconvenience and reduced AP quality, as they fail to maintain an unsuspended environment for threads responsible for DDE message processing.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize an API to selectively suspend and unsuspend threads within an AP execution process, identifying and keeping only the thread and stack related to DDE message processing unsuspended, even when other threads are stopped, using a selection unit, information acquisition units, suspension processing unit, and unsuspending unit to manage APs and control the execution process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If all threads for AP execution process are stopped to pause the target AP, then the AP can be temporarily paused without complete termination, but DDE message processing is significantly delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thread suspension operation by identifying and excluding the DDE message processing thread from the suspension set. When pausing an AP, the system suspends all threads except those identified as DDE message processing threads, allowing DDE functionality to continue while other AP operations are paused.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the DDE message processing thread from the group of threads to be suspended. By identifying threads with specific module names containing 'ddef' or 'ddefix' in their stack information, the system separates the critical DDE processing function from the rest of the AP execution threads, allowing it to remain active during AP pause operations.
2Ease of operation
If DDE message processing is delayed, then the target AP and other APs cannot be readily used, but maintaining all threads unsuspended defeats the purpose of AP suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thread management into two categories: suspendable threads (general AP execution threads) and non-suspendable threads (DDE message processing threads). This segmentation allows the system to pause AP execution while maintaining critical DDE communication functionality, ensuring both AP reuse convenience and DDE processing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different suspension policies to different threads based on their function. DDE message processing threads are marked with special local quality (exclusion from suspension) while other threads are subject to normal suspension, creating a differentiated thread management strategy that preserves essential functionality during pauses.
3Reliability
If thread information is acquired and analyzed to identify DDE message processing threads, then selective unsuspension is possible, but the complexity of thread management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service thread identification by examining the stack information and module names within the thread data structure itself. Threads containing 'ddef' or 'ddefix' in their module names automatically identify themselves as DDE processing threads, eliminating the need for external identification mechanisms or complex classification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses stack information copying and analysis to identify DDE threads. By examining the stack trace information associated with each thread and searching for characteristic module name patterns, the system creates a simplified identification mechanism that avoids complex thread management overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for managing an application program (AP) and a method therefor, and includes a processing module which, if the AP execution process thread corresponding to an AP to be terminated in a program block of an information processing device is terminated, reads the module information of each thread and the stack information of each module so as to select the module and stack having charge of processing a dynamic data exchange (DDE) message among each thread module and each module stack, and releases the termination of the thread including the selected module and stack. Thus, even in the state of terminating each AP execution process thread of the AP to be terminated (for example, user's unused AP), various problems due to the delay of processing the DDE message may be readily avoided.