Runtime Metadata Attribution via Imperative Statements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software development tools lack the ability to effectively utilize and retrieve metadata associated with program execution in managed runtime environments, as this metadata is typically discarded after compilation and cannot be retrieved from the compiled binary, limiting its utility and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an imperative metadata attribution system that allows metadata to be set and retrieved within a managed runtime environment through programming interfaces, enabling metadata to be computed and obtained at various execution times based on available state, and providing mechanisms for metadata consumers to request and obtain metadata with explicit or implicit identifiers and parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If metadata is set at compile time and discarded after compilation, then compilation efficiency is improved, but metadata availability at runtime is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments metadata into two types: compile-time metadata (set by attributes) and runtime metadata (set by imperative statements). This segmentation allows each type to serve its specific purpose - compile-time metadata for build optimization and runtime metadata for execution-time insights, resolving the contradiction between compilation efficiency and metadata availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a preliminary metadata framework during compilation where the runtime environment is prepared to store and manage runtime metadata. This preliminary action enables subsequent runtime metadata collection without impacting compilation speed, as the infrastructure is already in place.
2Ease of operation
If metadata is retrieved from compiled binary, then metadata access is simplified, but metadata flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a runtime environment as an intermediary between the compiled binary and metadata consumers. This intermediary maintains metadata in memory during execution, allowing flexible access patterns while preserving the simplicity of binary compilation. The runtime environment mediates between the static compiled code and dynamic metadata needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms metadata from a static, compile-time only concept to a dynamic system that can be set and retrieved at runtime. Metadata identifiers and values can be created, modified, and accessed dynamically during program execution, providing flexibility while maintaining ease of access through the runtime environment's metadata management interfaces.
3Speed
If metadata is computed at compile time, then computation speed is improved, but state dependency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic metadata computation that can occur at runtime based on program state. Metadata values can be calculated when needed during execution, allowing the system to adapt to changing states while maintaining the ability to compute metadata efficiently when possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows changing the computation timing parameter from fixed compile-time to flexible runtime-based computation. This enables the system to optimize computation speed when state is stable while adapting to state changes when necessary, balancing speed and adaptability through parameter flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to imperative attribution. In aspects, metadata of a managed runtime environment may be set by imperative statements included in code of a program executing in the managed runtime environment. A metadata consumer may request the metadata. A metadata identifier of the metadata requested may be provided implicitly or explicitly. A parameter that indicates how to obtain the metadata may also be provided. In response, the metadata may be obtained and provided. The metadata may be computed at parse time, run time, or another time and may be computed based on state available to a managed runtime environment at the time the metadata is computed.