1. A method for loading a simple class in a virtual machine, comprising: determining if the simple class has a superclass; if the simple class has a superclass, assigning a subclass fingerprint for the simple class, said subclass fingerprint being unique within said virtual machine and parsable to determine a subclass fingerprint for any superclasses of the simple class; and if the simple class does not have a superclass, initializing a subclass fingerprint for the simple class.