System and method for class loader constraint checking

摘要

An object-oriented computer system includes two or more class loaders for loading program class files into the system. A constraint checking mechanism is provided so that where a first class file loaded by a first class loader makes a symbolic reference to a second class file loaded by a second class loader, with said symbolic reference including a descriptor of a third class file, the constraint enforces that the first and second class files agree on the identity of the third class file. The constraint checking mechanism stores a list of constraints as a set of asymmetric relationships between class loaders. Each stored constraint, for a class loader which loaded a class file that contains a symbolic reference to another class file, includes a first parameter denoting the class loader which loaded the class file to which the symbolic references is made; and a second parameter denoting a class file which is identified by a descriptor in said symbolic reference.