David J Werlinger

US Patent:

6594822, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Jun 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/590431

Inventors:

Eric A. Schweitz - Cary NC
David J. Werlinger - Durham NC
Peter H. Mills - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Nortel Networks Limited - St. Laurent

International Classification:

G06F 945

US Classification:

717140, 717168, 707103

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for creating a software patch by comparing object files. Method and apparatus are provided that create a software patch using object files of two software sources. The invention creates software patches for software programs written any high-level language so long as the programs compile to a standard object file format, and required information can be recovered. Functions of a compiled version of an existing software program are compared with an updated version that is compiled in a separate object file to discover a minimal set of changes, or âdeltasâ (for the patching process). The process for creating a patch includes decomposing the object file into cantles, examining fix-up information, creating reduced program dependency graphs, and comparing the graphs to determine the changes and create the patch. Because the software has already been compiled into object files, the invention is source-code independent and can be applied to code written in C/C++, Pascal or even to other specific proprietary languages.