APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING EXCEPTION SIGNALS IN A COMPUTING SYSTEM

摘要

Method and apparatus for the handling of exception signals in combination particularly with the dynamic conversion of binary code executable by a one computing platform into binary code executed instead by another computing platform. In one exemplary aspect, an exception handling unit (195, 220, 230) selectively handles some exception signals with respect to a target state (320) and handles other exception signals with respect to a subject state (330) derived from the target state (320). A plurality of signal handling sub-units (223) are arranged to selectively process the exception signal (310) with respect to the target state (320) and output a request either to return to execution or to pass on the exception signal (310). A delivery path selection unit (222) is arranged to determine a delivery path of the exception signal (310) to a selected group of the plurality of signal handling sub-units (223). A signal control unit (221 ) is arranged to deliver the exception signal (310) in turn to each of the selected group of signal handling sub-units (223) according to the delivery path and (i) where a respective one of the signal handling sub-units (223) requests the return to execution then to return to execution according to the target state (320); and (ii) where the signal handling sub- unit (223) requests to pass on the exception signal (310) then to pass on the exception signal (310) to a subsequent one of the selected group of signal handling sub-units (223) according to the delivery path and, where no further of the signal handling sub-units are specified in the delivery path, then to deliver the exception signal (310) to a subject-side exception handler unit (230).