Object-oriented programming in a conventional programming environment

Abstract

A programming methodology that implements many object-oriented features within a conventional programming environment is described. The methodology was created during the development of a computer animation system, The Clockworks. The methodology supports such object-oriented features as objects with variables and methods, class hierarchies, variable and method inheritance, object instantiation, and message passing. The methodology does not employ any special keywords or language extensions, thus removing the need for a preprocessor or compiler. The methodology has been implemented in a C/Unix environment. This allows the environment and any system developed within it to be ported to a wide variety of computers which support Unix. The methodology provides many object-oriented features and associated benefits. It also provides all the benefits of a C/Unix environment, including portability, a rich variety of development tools, and efficiency.<>