Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to permit a computer to manage its software load image. This operation takes place when the computer powers on and when a new software sub-system is dynamically loaded into an address space where a software load is already running. During the booting procedure, after the operating system has been initialized, software sub-systems are started. Typically the linker-loader module of the operating system resolves symbol references for each sub-system, allocates memory and then starts the sub-systems. The novel method involves the additional step of registering the sub-system in an in-memory location, herein designated as load description database, before starting the sub-system. Similarly, when a sub-system is removed from a computer, it registers with the load description database indicating that it has been removed. The result is that the load description database always reflects the sub-systems present on the computer at any given time. The invention also provides a machine-readable medium comprising a program element to implement the load image management process.

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First Claim