Garth R Snyder

US Patent:

54329370, Jul 11, 1995

Filed:

Aug 20, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/110156

Inventors:

Avadis Tevanian - Palo Alto CA
Michael DeMoney - San Jose CA
Kevin Enderby - Redwood City CA
Douglas Wiebe - Redwood City CA
Garth Snyder - Boulder CO

Assignee:

NeXT Computer, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

G06F 944
G06F 922

US Classification:

395700

Abstract:

The present invention is a method that enables single release of applications for multiple architectures and operating systems and to provide ease of use of applications in multiple architecture environments. The present invention provides a single file that contains separate object code each of multiple architectures. A special header on the file identifies each section of object code and includes pointers to its starting location. When the file is to be executed on a particular architecture, the resident operating system identifies that block of object code most suited for that particular architecture and environment. That section of code is then loaded into memory for execution. Each architecture in the file is specified by CPU-type and CPU sub-type. For each CPU type or CPU sub-type, file offset, file size and alignment is also provided. Padded bytes are provided to place each member on its specific alignment.

US Patent:

56049056, Feb 18, 1997

Filed:

Feb 28, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/395444

Inventors:

Avadis Tevanian - Palo Alto CA
Michael Demoney - San Jose CA
Kevin Enderby - Redwood City CA
Douglas Wiebe - Redwood City CA
Garth Snyder - Boulder CO

Assignee:

NeXT Software, Inc. - Redwood City CA

International Classification:

G06F 944

US Classification:

395706

Abstract:

The present invention is a method that enables single release of applications for multiple architectures and operating systems and to provide ease of use of applications in multiple architecture environments. The present invention provides a single file that contains separate object code each of multiple architectures. A special header on the file identifies each section of object code and includes pointers to its starting location. When the file is to be executed on a particular architecture, the resident operating system identifies that block of object code most suited for that particular architecture and environment. That section of code is then loaded into memory for execution. Each architecture in the file is specified by CPU-type and CPU sub-type. For each CPU type or CPU sub-type, file offset, file size and alignment is also provided. Padded bytes are provided to place each member on its specific alignment.