Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!mrsvr.UUCP!pet3.uucp!hallett From: hallett@pet3.uucp (Jeff Hallett x5163 ) Newsgroups: comp.object Subject: Re: object-oriented this, that, and the other thing Message-ID: <1309@mrsvr.UUCP> Date: 25 Oct 89 21:27:32 GMT References: <2426@umbc3.UMBC.EDU> <190@ark1.nswc.navy.mil> Sender: news@mrsvr.UUCP Reply-To: hallett@gemed.ge.com (Jeffrey A. Hallett (414) 548-5163) Organization: GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI Lines: 39 In article <190@ark1.nswc.navy.mil> Dave Sill writes: >Is object orientation such a novel approach that we'll have to relearn >everything we've already figured out? If so, is it really worth the >effort? Interesting question. The answer is, sometimes. The object-oriented paradigm basically groups data into classes and assigns class methods that they may use to manipulate that data and communicate with the rest of the world (yeah, its loose, but shut up :^) The concept is not really so revolutionary, but the true object-oriented systems add a lot that ordinary procedural systems cannot have. However, even procedural systems can benefit from object-oriented analysis even if the program is not implemented in an object-oriented language. An object-oriented design is a design that naturally grows from performing the analysis - from the procedural standpoint, such a design is only useful if it best addresses the problem. On the other hand, it is quite in vogue to throw "object-oriented" in front of some normal term and get a great new buzzword or show off in front of your friends. IMHO, "object-oriented security" is just such a term. Always keep one thing in mind, object-oriented approaches are just really different ways of examining a problem. It provides a more data-driven view than standard, control-driven procedural methodologies. If the approach adds insight to your problem or significantly shows information about a problem not previously noted, then an object-oriented study of the problem may actually spawn a new topic of interest. Otherwise, it probably isn't worth your time. Only you can judge. -- Jeffrey A. Hallett, PET Software Engineering GE Medical Systems, W641, PO Box 414, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (414) 548-5163 : EMAIL - hallett@gemed.ge.com "Your logic was impeccable Captain. We are in grave danger."