Virtual software machine running multiple program modules in a single

Abstract

An enhanced virtual software machine that provides a virtual execution environment in a target computer for application software programs having execution dependencies incompatible with a software execution environment on the target computer. The machine comprises a plurality of independent processes, a management interface for generating requests for execution to the plurality of independent processes and receiving results of such processing, and a preprocessor for generating a set of native executable program modules. According to one embodiment, the virtual software machine binds a task manager control module into a single address space of the target computer operating system for each user that attaches to the system. Upon receipt of a transaction request, a dynamic binding facility dynamically binds one or more of the program modules into the single address space for scheduling and execution under the control of the task manager control module. At least one of the program modules calls the management interface upon encountering an execution dependency in the program module and effects the required functionality using an independent process. A task management library is also bound in the single address space and functions to preserve, release and/or restore a context of each of the one or more program modules loading into the single address space during execution of the program modules by the task manager control module.