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From: UH2@psuvm.psu.edu (Lee Sailer)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++,comp.object
Subject: Re: Any real evidence for OOP benefits?
Message-ID: <90033.143411UH2@PSUVM.BITNET>
Date: 2 Feb 90 19:34:11 GMT
References: <25C3AC55.8379@paris.ics.uci.edu> <1990Jan31.053709.5741@odi.com>
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In a previous post on this thread, Dan Weinreb describes the typical
empirical research design for testing the benefits of OOP, create
matched groups of programmers and give them projects of significant size.
As he points out, it is very expensive to do this type of study.

Nonetheless, such studies have been done on other similar topics, usually
using volunteers donated by local industry.  So for example if every
company in Silicon Valley would donate one programmer for a week (not
too burdensome per company, I think) then some researchers could create
a project, collect the data, subject it to the usual statistical hocus
pocus, and get tenure.

On the other hand, since this isn't going to happen anytime soon, what are
the alternatives.  One is to use cheaper programmers (students, usually) and
smaller projects.  Another is to wait and let the market do the experiment.
OOEs (Object oriented enterprises) might blow the rest away.

Third, is to admit that the empirical approach is beyond our reach, and
thus rely on the perhaps inferior but best remaining technique, rationalism.

Weinreb says that he can tell OOP feels really powerful to him.  I have
the same feelings.  So do lots of folks.  A few, but not many, people
who have learned OOP and used it to write programs don't feel the same
way.  This is empirical evidence of an indirect nature, but empirical
evidence nonetheless.

In short, the only evidence for or against OOP that most of us can
afford is the opinions of the best minds we can find.  Isn't this
(gasp) Pournelle's Rule---find a person you think you can trust, and
then do what he or she tells you?