Mechanism for handling input parameters

Abstract

The present mechanism provides a grammar for specifying required prerequisites (e.g., number and type of input parameters) that an object must possess in order for processing to occur on the object. The mechanism allows programmers and non-programmers to easily specify these prerequisites. The prerequisites may be associated directly or indirectly with a data structure. For a direct specification, the data structure comprises a parameter declaration for each expected input parameter. For an indirect specification, the data structure comprises a parameter definition that references an external description, such as in an XML document. The data structure also providing a mechanism that identifies a corresponding parameter within an input source for each expected input parameter based on its declaration. The input source does not include live objects. The mechanism further populates each expected input parameter with information associated with the corresponding parameter when the data structure becomes instantiated into an object.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 693,392, filed Oct. 24, 2003.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] Subject matter disclosed herein relates to input parameters, and in particular to the handling of input parameters. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In software programming, there is a common practice to specify input parameters (commonly referred to as arguments) for a piece of code. The piece of code may be a function, a method, an executable, or the like. In traditional run-time environments, a compiler performs a check on the code to ensure that the correct number and the correct type of input parameters are specified before the code is invoked. If the compiler determines that the code would be invoked without the correct number or correct type of input parameters, the compiler generates an error. The code may then be modified to specify the correct number or type of input parameters and be re-compiled. Thus, in this type of environment,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present mechanism provides a grammar for specifying required prerequisites (e.g., number and type of input parameters) that an object must possess in order for processing to occur on the object. The mechanism allows programmers and non-programmers to easily specify these prerequisites. The prerequisites may be specified within a data structure. The data structure comprises a parameter declaration for each expected input parameter and a mechanism that identifies a corresponding parameter within an input source for each expected input parameter based on its declaration. The mechanism further populates each expected input parameter with information associated with the corresponding parameter when the data structure becomes instantiated into an object. The mechanism may be provided by a runtime environment.

Problems solved by technology

If the compiler determines that the code would be invoked without the correct number or correct type of input parameters, the compiler generates an error.

Many system administrators using command line environments do not possess the necessary programming knowledge or do not want to perform this type of check.

Because of this, many times the input parameters are not properly checked.

Unfortunately, this may lead to errors.

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