Simulated Change Apparatus for Immutable Software Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing changes to software objects at runtime is challenging due to the creation of unnecessary new objects, especially in multi-threaded applications, leading to performance issues and complexity in maintaining object immutability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for simulating changes to immutable software nodes during runtime, using a simulated change apparatus that intercepts and redirects references, allowing operations to be performed without actually modifying existing objects in memory, thereby maintaining logical immutability and reducing object creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If immutable objects are changed in memory by creating new objects, then the object can be updated, but the number of newly created objects increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a simulated change apparatus as an intermediary layer between the immutable objects and the code execution module. This apparatus intercepts change instructions and applies them virtually without creating new objects in memory, thus maintaining performance while enabling object updates through simulation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating new object instances in memory, the patent creates a virtual copy of the change instruction in the simulated change apparatus. This virtual copy allows the system to simulate object changes without the overhead of actual object creation and memory allocation
2Adaptability or versatility
If immutable objects are changed by creating new objects, then the object state can be updated, but the complexity of managing object references increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulated change apparatus serves as an intermediary that manages all object reference changes centrally. It intercepts change instructions and applies them virtually, eliminating the need for complex reference management code throughout the system while still enabling object state updates
3Adaptability or versatility
If immutable objects are changed in multi-threaded applications, then the object can be modified, but maintaining logical immutability becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The simulated change apparatus acts as a centralized intermediary that controls all object modifications. It receives change instructions from any thread and applies them virtually in a controlled manner, ensuring that the underlying immutable objects remain unchanged while maintaining consistent logical state across all threads
Solution Approach 2:
The simulated change apparatus automatically manages the complexity of multi-threaded immutability by intercepting and processing change instructions itself. It handles the coordination and consistency maintenance without requiring application code to implement complex synchronization or immutability logic
Data Source
AI summary
A system for executing software, wherein a computing device stores instructions for a code execution module such that, when the instructions are executed, the computing device will: receive, for execution by the code execution module, software; create one or more immutable software nodes described in the software; determine that the software comprise an instruction to begin a simulated change at runtime of the one or more immutable software nodes; store the simulated change in a simulated change apparatus; using the simulated change apparatus, perform one or more operations of the software as if the one or more immutable software nodes had been changed in memory, during a period of time where each of the one or more immutable software nodes is guaranteed to retain logical immutability; and output results of the one or more operations.