Software code management method and apparatus
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for managing the use of a software code by a selected application program are disclosed. The method includes detecting an instance of using the code, identifying the application program that is using the code, confirming a conflict between the code and the application, and reporting the conflict to one or more selected parties. Confirmation of the conflict may occur by using a database whose content includes a plurality of selected application programs, along with a corresponding plurality of proper software codes, such as DLL files, which are appropriate for each of the selected application programs to use. A computer workstation or networked computer system may embody the method in the form of instructions stored in a machine-accessible medium.
1. A method for managing execution of a software code by a selected application program, comprising:
configuring a database having a plurality of application programs, wherein each one of the plurality of application programs corresponds to at least one designated software code, wherein the plurality of application programs includes the selected application program, and wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code is not the software code executed by the selected application program;
detecting the execution of all or a portion of the software code, wherein the detecting is not performed by the software code;
identifying the selected application program that is executing the software code;
confirming a conflict between the selected application program and the software code in response to the application program executing the software code, wherein the conflict between the selected application program and the software code is confirmed after the execution of the software code has been detected, and wherein confirming the conflict includes determining that the executed software code is not correct for the selected application program; and
after confirming the conflict, recording that the selected application and the executed software code conflict in the database.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the database further includes:
obtaining information relating to at least one of the plurality of application programs and corresponding at least one designated software code in a non-automated fashion.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the database further includes:
entering information relating to at least one of the plurality of application programs and the corresponding at least one designated software code by using a snapshot of installation activity required for the at least one of the plurality of application programs.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of applications programs is associated with a system resident installation package, and wherein configuring the database further includes:
entering information relating to the at least one of the plurality of application programs and the corresponding at least one designated software code by automated examination of the system resident installation package.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein confirming a conflict between the software code and the selected application program further includes:
determining that the software code is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code has a version number which differs from a version number associated with the software code executed by the selected application program, and wherein determining that the improper software code is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code further includes:
determining the version number of the corresponding at least one designated software code and the version number of the software code executed by the selected application program; and
comparing the version number of the corresponding at least one designated software code to the version number of the software code executed by the selected application program.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the software code is a software library, and wherein detecting execution of the software code further includes:
enabling detection of a library loading operation.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein enabling detection of a library loading operation further includes:
setting a software hook activated by the library loading operation.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the selected application program further includes:
determining a file name of the selected application program.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected application program has an application version number, and wherein identifying the selected application program further includes:
determining the application version number.
11. The method of claim 1 , further including:
reporting the conflict; and
alerting a selected party regarding the conflict.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the selected party is an end user of the selected application program.
13. The method of claim 1 , further including:
reporting the conflict; and
activating an alarm.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of application programs is associated with an executable code, and wherein configuring the database further includes:
obtaining information relating to the at least one of the plurality of application programs and the corresponding at least one designated software code by automated examination of the executable code; and
entering the information into the database.
15. A computer workstation, comprising:
a processor module; and
a machine-accessible medium communicatively coupled to the processor module, the machine-accessible medium having instructions associated therewith for managing execution of a software code by a selected application program, which when executed are capable of causing the processor module to perform:
configuring a database having a plurality of application programs, wherein each one of the plurality of application programs corresponds to at least one designated software code, wherein the plurality of application programs includes the selected application program, and wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code is not the software code executed by the selected application program;
detecting the execution of all or a portion of the software code, wherein the detecting is not performed by the software code;
identifying the selected application program that is executing the software code;
confirming a conflict between the software code and the selected application program in response to the application program executing the software code, wherein the conflict between the selected application program and the software code is confirmed after the execution of the software code has been detected, and wherein confirming the conflict includes determining that the executed software code is not correct for the selected application program; and
after confirming the conflict, recording that the selected application and the executed software code conflict in the database.
16. The computer workstation of claim 15 , wherein confirming a conflict between the software code and the selected application program further includes:
determining that the software code executed by the selected application program is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code.
17. The computer workstation of claim 16 , wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code has a version number which differs from a version number associated with the software code executed by the selected application program, and wherein determining that the software code executed by the selected application program is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code further includes:
determining the version number of the corresponding at least one designated software code and the version number of the software code executed by the selected application program; and
comparing the version number of the corresponding at least one designated software code to the version number of the software code executed by the selected application program.
18. The computer workstation of claim 15 , wherein the software code is a software library, and wherein detecting execution of the software code further includes:
enabling detection of a library loading operation.
19. The computer workstation of claim 18 , wherein enabling detection of a library loading operation further includes:
setting a software hook activated by the library loading operation.
20. The computer workstation of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of application programs is associated with an executable code, and wherein configuring the database further includes:
obtaining information relating to the at least one of the plurality of application programs and the corresponding at least one designated software code by automated examination of the executable code; and
entering the information into the database.
21. A computer system network, comprising:
a server comprising:
a processor module;
a machine-accessible medium communicatively coupled to the processor module, the machine-accessible medium having instructions associated therewith for managing execution of a software code by a selected application program, which when executed are capable of causing the processor module to perform:
configuring a database having a plurality of application programs, wherein each one of the plurality of application programs corresponds to at least one designated software code, wherein the plurality of application programs includes the selected application program, and wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code is not the software code executed by the selected application program;
detecting the execution of the software code, wherein the detecting is not performed by the software code;
identifying the selected application program that is executing the software code;
confirming a conflict between the software code and the selected application program in response to the application program executing the software code, wherein the conflict between the selected application program and the software code is confirmed after the execution of the software code has been detected, and wherein confirming the conflict includes determining that the executed software code is not correct for the selected application program; and
after confirming the conflict, recording that the selected application and the executed software code conflict in the database; and
a client communicatively coupled to the server, wherein execution of the selected application program is initiated by the client.
22. The computer system network of claim 21 , wherein the database is stored on the server.
23. The computer system network of claim 21 , wherein confirming a conflict between the software code and the selected application program further includes:
determining that the software code is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code.
24. The computer system network of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of application programs is associated with an executable code, and wherein configuring the database further includes:
obtaining information relating to the at least one of the plurality of application programs and the corresponding at least one designated software code by automated examination of the executable code; and
entering the information into the database.
25. A machine-accessible medium having instructions associated therewith for managing execution of a software code by a selected application program, which when executed are capable of causing a processor module to perform:
configuring a database having a plurality of application programs, wherein each one of the plurality of application programs corresponds to at least one designated software code, wherein the plurality of application programs includes the selected application program, and wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code is not the software code executed by the selected application program;
detecting the execution of the software code, wherein the detecting is not performed by the software code;
identifying the selected application program that is executing the software code;
confirming a conflict between the improper software code and the selected application program in response to the application program executing the software code, wherein the conflict between the selected application program and the software code is confirmed after the execution of the software code has been detected, and wherein confirming the conflict includes determining that the executed software code is not correct for the selected application program; and
after confirming the conflict, recording that the selected application and the executed software code conflict in the database.
26. The machine-accessible medium of claim 25 , wherein confirming a conflict between the software code and the selected application program further includes:
determining that the software code executed by the selected application program is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code.
27. The machine-accessible medium of claim 26 , wherein the corresponding at least one designated software code has a version number which differs from a version number associated with the software code executed by the selected application program, and wherein determining that the software code executed by the selected application program is not the same as the corresponding at least one designated software code further includes:
determining the version number of the proper software code and the version number of the improper software code; and
comparing the version number of the corresponding at least one designated software code to the version number of the software code executed by the selected application program.
28. The machine-accessible medium of claim 25 , wherein the software code is a software library, and wherein detecting execution of the software code further includes:
enabling detection of a library loading operation.
29. The machine-accessible medium of claim 25 , wherein at least one of the plurality of application programs is associated with an executable code, and wherein configuring the database further includes:
obtaining information relating to the at least one of the plurality of application programs and the corresponding at least one designated software code by automated examination of the executable code; and
entering the information into the database.