Object composition

Abstract: We are currently witnessing an important paradigm shift in information system construction, namely the move from object and component technology to model technology. The object technology revolution has allowed the replacement of the over twenty-year-old step-wise procedural decomposition paradigm with the more fashionable object composition paradigm. Surprisingly, this evolution seems to have triggered another even more radical change, the current trend toward model transformation. A concrete example is the Object Management Group's rapid move from its previous Object Management Architecture vision to the latest Model-Driven Architecture. This paper proposes an interpretation of this evolution through abstract investigation. In order to stay as language-independent as possible, we have employed the neutral formalism of Sowa's conceptual graphs to describe the various situations characterizing this organization. This will allow us to identify potential problems in the proposed modeling framework and suggest some possible solutions.

Abstract: Preface 1. Overview 2. Object Model 3. Object Specification Languages 4. Object Query Language 5. C++ Binding 6. Smalltalk Binding 7. Java Binding Appendices

Abstract: Basic specifications - signatures models sentences satisfaction proof system structuring specifications - fundamental semantics concepts module imports views parameterized modules module expressions built-in modules proof technologies - rewriting induction coinduction methodologies - nondeterminism concurrent object composition dynamic systems of objects applications in rewriting logic general small methodological advises.

Abstract: The object technology revolution has allowed the replacement of the more than twenty-years old step-wise procedural refinement paradigm by the more fashionable object composition paradigm. Surprisingly this evolution seems itself today to be triggering another even more radical change, towards model transformation. As a concrete trace of this, the Object Management Group (OMG) is rapidly moving from its previous Object Management Architecture vision (OMA) to the newest Model-Driven Architecture (MDA). Some of the main characteristics of this new organization will be outlined in the presentation.