Generalizing data streams to overcome differences in word length and byte order

Abstract

A computer system and method for use with the computer system to dynamically adapt to a data structure layout other than its own. The data may be an incoming data stream from outside or may be stored within its main memory. Between the transmitting and the receiving CPU there must be an understanding of the conceptual level and format of the data which is transferred. A prefix word in which details of the data structure layout is encoded is generated. The prefix word is appended to the data and transmitted to another CPU or used by the same CPU. Upon receipt of the data, the prefix word is read and decoded and the receiving CPU can dynamically adapt to details of the data structure layout in order to use the data which was generated and transmitted in a heretofore unknown data structure layout. The prefix word may be a Unicode reserved character of the form FExxyyFF or FFyyxxFE wherein FExxyyFF represents the same endianness, preferably big endian, and FFyyxxFE represents the other endianness, preferably little endian. Once endianness is resolved, then the position of xxyy is unambiguously known and specific features of the data structure layout, such as integer and pointer sizes, rounding/padding rules, byte alignment, bit alignment, etc. are encoded in an agreed-upon bit sequence. Thus, a method and a computer which can dynamically adapt to an unknown data structure is presented.