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- Newsgroups: comp.object,comp.software-eng,comp.lang.c++
- Path: actrix.gen.nz!dkenny
- From: dkenny@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (Des Kenny)
- Subject: Re: Moving from C to C++
- Keywords: Eiffel, C++
- Message-ID: <Dn4AJM.5vu@actrix.gen.nz>
- Sender: Des Kenny
- Summary: I Suggest you consider Eiffel
- Organization: Actrix - Internet Services
- Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 08:35:45 GMT
- References: <4fak3f$3op@news4.digex.net> <1996Feb9.233739.24043@amc.com> <4g8ctn$7do@news4.digex.net>
- X-Nntp-Posting-Host: atlantis.actrix.gen.nz
-
- In article <4g8ctn$7do@news4.digex.net>, Ell <ell@access4.digex.net> wrote:
- > Curtis Green (curtis@amc.com) wrote:
- > : Ell (ell@access1.digex.net) wrote:
- > ::Steven Hampson (steveh@jtec.com.au) wrote:
- > ::: Perhaps there should be a distinction between the methodology and the tool
- > ::: used to achieve that methodology. There is a general shift to the ADT, OOT
- > ::: methodolgy, but this does not imply that there has to be a shift from C to
- > ::: C++.
- > ::: The best tool for the job is surely the tool that allows the job to be
- > ::: done best.
- > ::: This can be C, C++, Ada, Smalltalk, Assembler - whatever. Languauges
- > ::: should be
- > ::: chosen to fit the task at hand, not the other way round.
- >
- > : : Yeauh, but most find it cumbersome and a lot of work implementing
- > : : polymorphism using C.
- >
- > : Thats what steve said. If it is cumbersome and a lot of work implementing
- > : polymorphism in C, then find a language that makes it easier. C++ was
- > : developed to do just that, if going to OO ideas with a pile of C code
- > : that needs to be reused. If not, one of the other OO languages might
- > : make more sense.
- >
- > He also said that going to OOT does not imply there has to be a shift from
- > C to C++. He also mentioned possibly using assmbler for oot. While oot
- > is possible using C, or assembler in general why do oot without using an
- > oopl?
- >
- > Elliott
-
-
- I suggest you have a good look at the Eiffel method.
-
- It should take you less than a week to understand the general principles
- of the method and language from a number of texts that are around.
- I found it quite easy to understand. It is a very readable system.
-
- Be sure to have a close look at the Class Libraries text. The language is
- really only there to help you reuse Classes from the Class Libraries.
- A day or two skim reading the Class Library texts will give you an
- overview of what is available for reuse.
-
- It is an amazingly common misconception to look for all the goodies of
- an OO system in the language syntax and debate syntax details ad nauseum,
- when the really worthwhile stuff is in the Class Libraries, or at least it
- should be. This kind of behaviour is a throw back to the PreOOhistoric days.
-
- The size of the libraries is very large compared to the basic syntax so the
- learning effort must shift from understanding language syntax, which is
- quite easy, to understanding the Class libraries.
-
- The libraries are really an extension of the language so the bulk of the
- Eiffel "language" actually resides in the Class Libraries. In this sense
- it is an indefinitely extensible "language".
-
- The Class Libraries are somewhat like the vocabulary of a natural language.
- Just in the same way as a natural language - knowing the rules of grammar is
- neccesary but not sufficient - you need to have an extensive vocabulary to
- be fluent in the language.
-
- If the Class libraries are not high quality and extensive then they
- aren't useable let alone reusable and the fundamental advantage of
- OO - Reusability - goes out with the 'garbage'.
-
- It may not seem like an obvious step to go from C to Eiffel. However, if
- take a quick overview you will be able judge for yourself if Eiffel will
- help you in your projects.
-
- See "http://www.eiffel.com" for more details.
-
- I will be very interested to know what you think of the Eiffel method and
- language.
-
- Cheers
-
- --Des Kenny
- Objective Methods Ltd
- Email: dkenny@actrix.gen.nz
-
-