Dynamic Plug-in Dependency Resolution via Manifest
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in technologies resolve dependencies only at compile-time, limiting the complexity and adaptability of plug-ins and requiring explicit referencing of dependent components in host application code.
Innovation Solution
The approach dynamically resolves plug-in dependencies and selects interfaces at runtime using meta information stored in a manifest, allowing plug-ins to be loaded, unloaded, and re-loaded without referencing dependent components in the host application's code, enabling dynamic instantiation and management of dependent components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plug-in dependencies are resolved at compile-time, then the host application code can reference dependent components explicitly, but the plug-in complexity and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic dependency resolution at runtime instead of static compile-time resolution. The host application loads a manifest file containing dependency information and dynamically resolves dependencies during execution, allowing plug-ins to be loaded, unloaded, and re-loaded without recompiling the host application. This dynamic approach enhances adaptability while managing complexity through structured manifest-based dependency declaration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If plug-in dependencies are resolved at compile-time, then the host application structure is simple, but the plug-in cannot be dynamically loaded or unloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by loading and parsing the manifest file containing dependency information before runtime plug-in loading. The manifest pre-declares all dependencies in a structured format, enabling the system to quickly resolve dependencies during runtime without extensive searching or analysis. This preliminary preparation reduces runtime overhead while enabling dynamic plug-in lifecycle management.
3Ease of manufacture
If the host application code references dependent components of the plug-in, then the dependency relationship is explicit, but the plug-in cannot be independently managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts dependency information from the host application code and places it in a separate manifest file associated with the plug-in. This extraction allows the host application to reference the plug-in as a black box without knowing its internal dependencies. The manifest contains all necessary dependency information, enabling independent plug-in management while preserving complete dependency information through the manifest structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The dynamic resolution of dependent components of a plug-in including, during a runtime of an application, dynamically accessing, for a plug-in invoked by the application, a manifest listing classes capable of providing an interface for the plug-in, and dependent components that provide functionality to the plug-in, and dynamically instantiating a class instance of at least one of the listed classes. Furthermore, the process includes dynamically resolving the listed dependent components, and dynamically loading the plug-in.