Virtual Machine Instruction Set Architecture Parameter Type Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine instruction set architectures face challenges in efficiently processing instructions with parameter types, as they often rely on deduced or hardcoded types, which can lead to inefficiencies and limitations in handling diverse parameter types, especially in dynamic environments where type information may not be readily available.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves generating and storing information that references parameter types externally to virtual machine instructions within the same bytecode, allowing the runtime environment to override or refine the parameter types, enabling more precise and adaptable processing based on the referenced types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If parameter types are hardcoded or deduced in the virtual machine instruction set, then the instruction processing is simpler and faster, but the adaptability to diverse parameter types and dynamic environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parameter type information into two parts: (1) a type reference stored externally in the bytecode that identifies the parameter type, and (2) the actual type value that is resolved at runtime. This segmentation allows the instruction set to remain simple while gaining adaptability to diverse parameter types through external type information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary type reference mechanism that mediates between the hardcoded instruction and the actual parameter type. The type reference acts as a pointer or indicator that resolves to the actual type at runtime, enabling flexible type handling without modifying the core instruction set structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If type information is stored externally in bytecode, then the virtual machine can dynamically resolve and override parameter types, but the bytecode size and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actual type information from the instruction itself and stores it externally as a type reference in the bytecode. This extraction reduces the immediate instruction size while maintaining the capability for dynamic type resolution, as only a compact reference needs to be stored rather than full type information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of type information as compact references during compilation, rather than storing full type information. This preliminary action reduces bytecode size while preserving the ability to dynamically resolve types at runtime through the stored references.
3Measurement precision
If the virtual machine uses deduced parameter types, then less memory is required, but the precision and correctness of type-specific operations may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a reference copy of the type information that points to the actual type definition. Instead of storing or deducing full type information, the system stores a compact reference that can be resolved to obtain the precise type, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing memory consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aspect of the invention comprises operations of identifying a first virtual machine instruction, and identifying a second virtual machine instruction (506) comprising a set of one or more parameters (508). The first virtual machine instruction includes a keyword signaling to a runtime environment (113) that the first virtual machine instruction includes information (504) referencing a respective type (510) of at least one of the set of one or more parameters (508) of the second virtual machine instruction (506). The first virtual machine instruction is stored external to and in association with the second virtual machine instruction (506). The second virtual machine instruction is processed (506) based on the respective type (510) of the at least one of the set of one or more parameters (508) referenced by the information (504) included in the first virtual machine instruction.