An Object Model for Interoperable Systems

Most modern computer applications should run on heterogeneous platforms and, moreover, objects and respective code should be easily interchangeable between distinct platforms at runtime. This paper describes a runtime platform based on distributed and cooperating virtual machines named Virtuosi. A unified object model permits easy inter-operation between applications written on different languages. All applications must be compiled to a standard runtime code format so they all can run on any platform where an implementation of the virtual machine exists. A novel code format which is entirely based on instances of the classes that define the object model itself is employed. A proper programming language has been defined, a corresponding compiler implemented, a virtual machine that includes a class loader, a code interpreter, a single-threaded execution control and a distributed object store implemented and tested through example applications.