Accessing current symbol definitions in a dynamically configurable

Abstract

In a computer system executing a dynamically configurable operating system, a symbol definition image file builder is provided for building a symbol definition image file real time for utilities and application programs. The symbol definition image file is built upon receipt of an open request for the file and a current system definition image file does not exist. The symbol definition image file is deleted upon receipt of a close request for the file and it is determined that the file is no longer referenced and non-current. The symbol definition image file comprises all current symbol definitions and strings of the operating system. The current symbol definitions and strings are gathered by the symbol definition builder from the symbol and string tables of the root executable segment and the relocatable segments of the operating system that are currently loaded in memory. Additionally, prior to building the symbol definition image file, the symbol definitions image file builder inhibits automatic unloading of the relocatable segments until all accesses to the symbol definition image file are completed, thereby protecting the symbol definitions and the strings that are included in the symbol definition image files from becoming stale.