According to the preferred embodiments, an object oriented mechanism and
method allow creating system level Java code that is protected, and therefore cannot
be accessed or extended by unauthorized users or programs. Several new tests are
performed during loading, linking, and initialization of a class that assure that
the class is as the operating system expects. In addition, one or more runtime
tests may be performed to prevent programs from getting into the Java system level
code via a runtime "back door." By providing additional tests when classes are
loaded and when certain types of methods and functions are invoked at runtime,
the Java system level code is protected from unauthorized access and use.
