Putting Metaclasses to Work: A New Dimension in Object-Oriented Programming - Softcover

Forman, Ira R.; Danforth, Scott H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0201433052 ISBN 13: 9780201433050

Publisher: Addison Wesley, 1998

Synopsis

Putting Metaclasses to Work takes a new, evolutionary look at important concepts of object-oriented programming, starting with the development of an object model from fundamental principles. Unique aspects of this object model include a use of metaclasses to encapsulate the implementation of object properties and a support for reuse of metaclasses. Metaclass reuse is based on a new semantics for inheritance that automatically combines metaclasses by using multiple inheritance to compose object properties. This book provides a concrete demonstration of how metaclasses can be used to increase productivity and reusability in object-oriented programming. A C++-based language for programming metaclasses according to the authors' model is presented and then used throughout the book, allowing the reader to understand the utility and importance of metaclasses within the overall context of object-oriented programming.In addition, this book: *Presents the theory of reflective class-based object-oriented models *Introduces a new form of inheritance called Inheritance of Metaclass Constraints *Discusses the basic metaobject protocol used to program new metaclasses that isolate reusable properties *Contains useful examples of metaclasses that can be built with metaobject protocol and cooperative metaclasses 0201433052B04062001

About this title

About the Author

Ira R. Forman works for IBM in Austin, Texas. As a past member of IBM's Object Technology Products Group, he worked on the SOM Metaclass Framework. Forman's specialties are object-oriented programming, object composition, and distributed programming.

Scott H. Danforth works for Secant Technologies, Inc. As a past member of IBM's Object Technology Products Group, he originated the derived metaclass and metaclass cooperation concepts discussed in this book. His professional interests include development and practical application of object-oriented technology.

0201433052AB04062001

From the Back Cover

Putting Metaclasses to Work takes a new, evolutionary look at important concepts of object-oriented programming, starting with the development of an object model from fundamental principles. Unique aspects of this object model include a use of metaclasses to encapsulate the implementation of object properties and a support for reuse of metaclasses. Metaclass reuse is based on a new semantics for inheritance that automatically combines metaclasses by using multiple inheritance to compose object properties.

This book provides a concrete demonstration of how metaclasses can be used to increase productivity and reusability in object-oriented programming. A C++-based language for programming metaclasses according to the authors' model is presented and then used throughout the book, allowing the reader to understand the utility and importance of metaclasses within the overall context of object-oriented programming. In addition, this book:

• Presents the theory of reflective class-based object-oriented models
• Introduces a new form of inheritance called Inheritance of Metaclass Constraints
• Discusses the basic metaobject protocol used to program new metaclasses that isolate reusable properties
• Contains useful examples of metaclasses that can be built with metaobject protocol and cooperative metaclasses

0201433052B04062001

Edition details

• Publisher: Addison Wesley
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0201433052
• ISBN 13: 9780201433050
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320