Reference to Primitive Type Conversion via Wrapper Classes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing programming languages face limitations in type conversions between primitive and reference types, often resulting in compile-time or run-time errors, even when conversions seem meaningful, such as from a reference type to a primitive type.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generates executable instructions to determine if a value of a target primitive type can be obtained from a reference type through method invocations, using wrapper classes for encapsulation, and performs appropriate conversions or error indications, enabling efficient and expansive conversions between primitive and reference types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the programming language supports only limited primitive-to-reference conversions, then type safety is maintained, but conversion functionality and language expressiveness are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wrapper classes as intermediary objects between primitive types and reference types. These wrapper classes encapsulate primitive values and provide a standardized interface for conversions, allowing the language to support expansive conversions while maintaining type safety through controlled access patterns and validation mechanisms within the wrapper implementation
2Ease of operation
If the language permits automatic unboxing conversions, then ease of operation improves, but risk of run-time errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation at compile-time by analyzing type compatibility and generating appropriate conversion instructions. The compiler verifies that unboxing operations are safe and that the target variable can accommodate the extracted primitive value, thereby preventing run-time errors before execution occurs
3Reliability
If manual wrapping operations are required for all primitive-to-reference conversions, then type control is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic boxing and unboxing mechanisms that perform wrapping and unwrapping operations automatically based on type context. The compiler generates the necessary conversion instructions without requiring explicit programmer intervention, allowing the system to self-manage the conversion process while maintaining type control through compile-time verification
Data Source
AI summary
A tool, such as a compiler or an interpreter, receives program source code and determines that the code includes an operation for which type conversion is permitted on an operand. The tool determines a source type of the operand, and a target type to which the operand is to be converted. In response to determining that the source type is a reference type and the target type is a primitive type, the tool generates a set of instructions to (a) determine whether, at run time, in accordance with a class definition of the reference type, a value of the target primitive type can be obtained via one or more method invocations on the operand (b) if such a value can be obtained, obtain the value and assign the value to a result of the operation and (c) if such a value cannot be obtained, generate an error indication.