Experience with statically-generated proxies for facilitating Java runtime specialisation

Renaud, K. (2002) Experience with statically-generated proxies for facilitating Java runtime specialisation. IEE Proceedings: Software, 149(6), pp. 169-176. (doi: 10.1049/ip-sen:20020909)

Abstract

Issues pertaining to mechanisms which can be used to change the behaviour of Java classes at runtime are discussed. The proxy mechanism is compared to, and contrasted with other standard approaches to this problem. Some of the problems the proxy mechanism is subject to are expanded upon. The question of whether statically-developed proxies are a viable alternative to bytecode rewriting was investigated by means of the JavaCloak system, which uses statically-generated proxies to alter the runtime behaviour of externally-developed code. The issues addressed include ensuring the type safety, dealing with the self problem, object encapsulation, and issues of object identity and equality. Some performance figures are provided which demonstrate the load the JavaCloak proxy mechanism places on the system.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Renaud, Professor Karen
• Authors: Renaud, K.
• Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: IEE Proceedings: Software
• Publisher: Institution of Electrical Engineers
• ISSN: 1462-5970
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2002 Institute of Electrical Engineers
• First Published: First published in IEE Proceedings - Software 149(6):169-176
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher