Dynamic command sets in a computer messaging system in a method, system and program
View Patent ↗Rather than using a command interpreter or dispatch table, commands within a messaging system are given a name which matches the filename for the class file implementing the command. A command name, or command number, may be subsequently passed to a server in a messaging system and used to dynamically load and instantiate a message command by loading a class of the same name. Additional command classes may therefore be added or deleted, at runtime, from client or server code without halting the application. An error condition is signaled when the command name is unrecognized, when the command code is unavailable or when there are problems instantiating an instance of the command class. Once the class code is loaded, a new instance of the class is created and the command object may be utilized.
1. A method for generating a command in a computer messaging system, comprising the steps of:
receiving a command name at a server via said messaging system, said command name being sent by a client to initiate a particular one of multiple server functions identified by an executable having a name synonymous with said command name;
utilizing said command name to automatically load a class file having a name including said command name; and
dynamically executing functions, on said server, associated with said class file.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
comparing said command name to existing classes on said server;
when said command name does not match a name of an existing class, creating a new instance of said class; and
executing said new instance of said class.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
deleting a current command at runtime.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adding a new command at runtime; and
when a class file associated with said new command is available at a source other than said server, which is accessible from said server, dynamically loading said class file from said source and instantiating functions of said class file on said server.
5. In a computer system connected to at least one other network computer system, a method for employing a command in a messaging system operating on said computer system, said method comprising the steps of:
selecting a command desired to be executed at the network computer system connected to said computer system, wherein said network computer system comprises a set of class files that carry out specific functions when initiated; and
transmitting, within a message to the network system in which the selected command is to be executed, a command name for the selected command which matches a portion of a class filename for a class implementing the selected command, wherein said selected command triggers an activation and execution at said network system of functions associated with said class;
comparing said command name to existing classes on said messaging system;
when said command name does not match any one of said existing classes, creating a new instance of said class; and
executing said new instance of said class.
6. A method for employing a command in a computer network, said method comprising:
receiving a message containing a command name; and
comparing said command name to existing said class files;
locating a class file having an executable class filename that is substantially similar to said command name;
loading and instantiating said class file and functions provided thereby; and
when said command name does not match any one of sad existing classes, executing a new instance of said class.
7. In a computer system connected to a network computer, a system for generating a command response, comprising:
selection means for selecting a command to be executed within a computer network;
transmission means for sending a command name within a message to the network computer, such that said command name causes and execution of said selected command, which matches a portion of a class filename for a class implementing said selected command;
means for adding a new command at runtime; and
means, when a class file associated with said new command is available at a source other than said server, which is accessible from said server, for dynamically loading said class file from said source and instantiating functions of said class file on said server.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
means for comparing said command name to existing classes;
means for loading said class file having said command name;
means for creating a new instance of said class when said class cannot be loaded by said system; and
execution means for executing said new instance of said class.
9. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
means for deleting a current command at runtime.
10. A computer program product within a computer readable medium having instructions for employing a command in a messaging system, comprising:
instructions within said computer program product for selecting a command to be executed;
instructions within said computer program product for transmitting, within a message to a system in which the selected command is to be executed, a command name for the selected command which matches a portion of a class filename for a class implementing the selected command, wherein said command name triggers an execution of a related function of said class when received at a recipient computer system;
instructions within said computer program product for comparing said command name to existing classes on said server;
instructions within said computer program product for loading said class file having said command name;
instructions within said computer program product for creating a new instance of said class; and
instructions within said computer program product for executing said new instance of said class.
11. The computer program product of claim 10 , further comprising:
instructions within said computer program product for deleting a current command at runtime.