Program execution in a software run-time environment

Abstract

A method and system for managing computer program execution is implemented in a set of callable run-time support services which allow processes written in single or multiple languages to cooperate and behave in a predictable and orderly manner. Three key program execution constructs are defined: process, enclave, and thread. The process is the highest level construct of the program execution. It consists of one or more enclaves. The enclave defines the scope of execution semantics defined by the high level languages. This includes the scope of application termination and the scope of name resolution for shared data, files and procedures. The enclave consists of one or more threads. The thread is the basic program execution unit with its own state of execution. A thread may execute concurrently with other threads. A thread may consist of a series of call invocations of procedures. These procedures may be written in different high level languages. The callable services provide means for creating and terminating these constructs. A request to terminate a process results in termination of all the enclaves (including threads) in the process. Terminating an enclave terminates all threads in the enclave. The termination request may be combined with signaling a termination condition allowing execution of registered condition handling exit routines.