Tactics for minimal interference from class loading in real-time Java™

ABSTRACT

Class loading within a Java™ virtual machine can result in undesirable long interruptions, preventing real-time deterministic behaviour. Development of real-time software tasks and applications may call for constraints and fine-tuned control of the class loading activity within the virtual machine when running time-sensitive applications. This paper presents various alternative approaches aimed towards reducing the burden of class loading in a real-time Java VM, all of which avoid revisiting the application design.

Amongst these alternatives is a novel class flow analysis algorithm allowing for the elimination of unused items in an application, a novel bytecode alteration technique for reducing class loads induced by the Java verifier, a novel class file splitting technique for more distributed class loading behaviour, and various other technologies that are available to achieve better performance and more precise control of class loading in real-time Java applications.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.4 Processors

General Terms:
Algorithms, Performance, Verification

Keywords:
Java, class load, optimization, precompilation, real-time, reduction, refactoring