Synthetic Immutable Classes for Memory Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face inefficiencies in memory usage and garbage collection due to the high presence of immutable classes in object-oriented applications, which can lead to increased storage requirements and suboptimal performance in virtual machines.
Innovation Solution
The creation of synthetic immutable classes that combine the data fields of immutable classes into a contiguous memory region, allowing for reduced object management and efficient garbage collection, with the virtual machine identifying and constructing these classes at compile time or runtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate immutable classes are used in object-oriented applications, then functionality and flexibility are improved, but memory usage increases and garbage collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate immutable classes into a single synthetic immutable class that combines the data fields of the original classes. This is achieved by creating a synthetic class that contains references to instances of the original immutable classes, allowing multiple classes to be represented as a single object in memory, thereby reducing the total number of objects while preserving the functionality of the original classes
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate immutable classes are used, then functionality is improved, but garbage collection performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple immutable classes into a single synthetic class, the patent reduces the number of objects that the garbage collector must process. This consolidation leads to more efficient garbage collection operations with reduced pause times and lower computational overhead, while the synthetic class maintains references to the original classes to preserve functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If immutable classes are stored as separate objects, then flexibility is maintained, but memory storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate immutable class instances into a single synthetic object that stores references to the original classes. This reduces the total memory footprint by eliminating redundant object headers and metadata that would otherwise be present for each separate class instance, while the synthetic class maintains the ability to access and manipulate the original classes through its reference fields
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for creating synthetic immutable classes. A processor identifies first and second classes, instances of which include first and second data fields, respectively. The first data fields include a data field that references the second class. In response to determining that the first class is immutable and the second class is immutable, the processor constructs a first synthetic immutable class, an instance of which comprises a combination of the first data fields and the second data fields. The processor creates an instance of the first synthetic immutable class in which the first data fields and the second data fields occupy a contiguous region of a memory. In response to determining the first synthetic immutable class does not include an accessor for the second class, the processor combines header fields of the first and second data fields into a single data field in the first synthetic immutable class.