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Abstract

The interface method invocation mechanism of the present invention includes an interface method table (IMT) for a given class of objects. The IMT comprises a table of entries each corresponding to a set S of interface methods that are implemented by objects of the given class. The entries of the IMT are used to support invocation of interface methods. More specifically, processing of a method invocation statement involves either I) loading the pointer to the implementation of the interface method from an entry of the IMT and passing control to this implementation; or II) loading the pointer to a conflict resolution routine pointed by an IMT entry and passing control to this conflict resolution routine. The conflict resolution routine pointed to by the IMT entry identifies at execution time to the location of the particular interface method of the two or more interface methods that are associated with the given IMT entry that corresponds to the method invocation statement being processed, and pass control to this particular interface method.

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