Systems and methods of communicating platform-independent representation of source code

1. A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing a media player executable to cause the processor to:

receive a first portion of a media stream;

initiate playback of the first portion of the media stream;

receive a second portion of the media stream during the playback of the first portion of the media stream, the second portion of the media stream including a platform-independent representation of source code;

compile the platform-independent representation of source code to generate a platform-specific component; and

execute the platform-specific component.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores a compiler configured to compile the platform-independent representation without interruption of playback of the media stream.

3. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the compiler is part of the media player.

4. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a network interface configured to receive the first portion and the second portion in accordance with a streaming protocol.

5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the processor and the memory are included in a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a game console, a set-top box, a television, or any combination thereof.

6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the media player is part of an operating system.

7. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a network interface configured to download the media player via a network.

8. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the platform-independent representation comprises an abstract syntax tree (AST).

9. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the platform-specific component without interruption of playback of the media stream.

10. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the platform-specific component comprises a plugin of the media player.

11. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the plugin comprises a social networking client that enables communication via a social network.

12. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the plugin enables communication with a server associated with the media stream.

13. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores the platform-specific component, and further comprising a network interface configured to receive a signal to re-execute the platform-specific component, and wherein the processor is configured to retrieve the platform-specific component from the memory and to re-execute the platform-specific component without recompilation of the platform-independent representation.

14. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to delete the platform-specific component after execution.

15. A method comprising:

sending a first portion of a media stream from a media server to a destination device during a streaming session;

after sending the first portion of the media stream, sending a platform-independent representation of source code from the media server to the destination device during the streaming session; and

after sending the platform-independent representation, sending a signal to the destination device during the streaming session, the signal requesting execution of a platform-specific software component generated by compilation of the platform-independent representation.

16. A method comprising:

receiving a compiler at a computing device; and

executing a media player at the computing device, wherein executing the media player includes, during playback of a media stream and without interrupting playback of the media stream:

receiving an abstract syntax tree (AST) in the media stream;

invoking the compiler to compile the AST to generate a platform-specific component; and

executing the platform-specific component.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving the media player at the computing device, wherein the compiler is part of the media player.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the compiler is distinct from the media player.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving, in the media stream, a signal to re-execute the platform-specific component.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving, in a second media stream, a signal to re-execute the platform-specific component.