A method for providing execute-in-place functionality in a data processing
system. In one embodiment, the method includes determining whether a file
system driver that manages a file system containing a file provides a
file system direct-access interface. Execute-in-place functionality is
used in response to determining both that the file system driver provides
the file system direct-access interface and that a device driver provides
a device direct-access interface. The file system direct-access interface
is used to provide the execute-in-place functionality in response to
determining that the file system is configured to enable execute-in-place
functionality.