An algebraic approach to formalization of object-orientation^*

^*This research is supported by the Research Council of Guang Dong Province under project 930003

Abstract

Formalization of object-oriented concepts and mechanisms is of extreme importance, but not still ex-plored in depth. This situation is due to the inherent characteristics of objects: objects are not mathematical constructs in the first place. This paper presents a framework for formalization of object-oriented concepts and mechanisms, in which basic concepts and mechanisms of object-orientation are defined with algebraic specifications in forms of ADTs. We give a set of ADTs to axiomatize the most important aspects of object-orientation—including object identity, inheritance, strong typing and message passing.

Keywords:

• abstract data type
• algebraic specification
• object-orientation

C.R. Categories:

• D.1.5
• F.3.1

^*This research is supported by the Research Council of Guang Dong Province under project 930003

^*This research is supported by the Research Council of Guang Dong Province under project 930003

Notes

^*This research is supported by the Research Council of Guang Dong Province under project 930003