Importance

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Abstract

A method and system of dynamically translating code that uses code annotations to determine whether the dynamic translator must fully materialize machine state. At compilation time, annotations are placed in an application's executable file indicating the number of formal parameters expected by each of the application's entry points. When the application is dynamically translated, the dynamic translation system (DTS) aggressively translates the application. Therefore, the DTS does not generate instructions for materializing the machine state at potential stopping points. When the application makes a system call that arms an exception handler, the DTS looks to the annotations to determine the number of formal parameters expected by the handler. If an exception handler expects two or fewer parameters, then that handler does not use the machine state. Conversely, if a handler expects three or more parameters, then that handler may use the machine state. Therefore, if the handler only has two formal parameters, then the DTS continues to aggressively translate the application program. Otherwise, the DTS discards all of the previously translated code and starts conservatively translating the application.

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First Claim